I got a riterri anemone about two weeks ago. A few days after i got it, it started doing very poor. Some told me that it may be my two clowns that i have. I have isolated the anemone from them but it still remains poor. The Ph in my tank is the only thing that is off at about 7.9. I heard that is low, but not low enough to do this and eventually the anemone should get used to it. Also, i have a 30g long with a 96w pc. Let me know what yall think and what yall think i should do. Thanks a lot.
Riterri
- Thread starter Hotrod324
- Start date
If it is a Ritteri, H. magnifica, there are quite a few issues: They have voted preference of high indirect flow, metal halides, and stable conditions by their limited survival rates.
The size of your tank, the current lighting, and depressed pH indicating other factors are going to make this species very challenging even if it was 100% healthy at purchase.
fwiw: Most I have seen available are not 100% healthy at purchase.
IMHO: exchange it for a BTA immediately if you can.
The size of your tank, the current lighting, and depressed pH indicating other factors are going to make this species very challenging even if it was 100% healthy at purchase.
fwiw: Most I have seen available are not 100% healthy at purchase.
IMHO: exchange it for a BTA immediately if you can.
SVXH6
New member
96watt pc?? a H. Magnifica is one of the most light demanding anemones there are.. and a 30G will not nearly be enough room.. they love high light and high flow.. i would read the anemone FAQ at the top of the thread page.. also are you positive its a H. Mag?? they can look awfully alot like BTA's and are often mis identified..
55semireef
Moved On
Nope...its definately the inaquedate lighting, and the pH will affect it but I am sure the lighting is causing it to whither it away. What is your water quality like and how long have you been in this hobby?
phender
Active member
Easy there tiger. How many ritteris have you had?
Inadequate lighting takes months to kill anemones. Changes in water chemistry can be a big factor since the anemone is mostly water and has no barrier between it and the water around it. A slow change to 7.9 might be OK, an immediate change can be a problem. Low pH is sometimes a symptom of a high organic load in your water which is another thing ritteris don't like.
Most likely, as often is the case with anemones, it was already in a weakened state. The shock of one more change may have stressed it beyond repair.
Sometimes water changes and increased current around the anemone will help. If you can get it to eat tiny bits of food, that will help as well. Adding carbon filtration or changing the carbon in your filter helps to get rid of some of the organics and may perk it up too.
If you can get it turned around, then you need to get some better lighting, and good current.
OCDP
New member
Trust us when we say that Ritteri (H. Magnifica) requires the most intense lighting, that being metal halides, or HQI. It will not survive long-term under PC's no matter what you have been told. A little bit of research will show you the facts as well .
As Scott said, return it ASAP for a different type of anemone, and I highly recommend a BTA as well... less demanding, easier to care for, and heck to the "new to the hobby" reefers just as amusing as a ritteri IMHO. I think you'll be just as pleased with a BTA
It should also stand a decent chance in your tank with PC lighting. Just get your water chemistry back in check and you'll be alright.
Cheers
As Scott said, return it ASAP for a different type of anemone, and I highly recommend a BTA as well... less demanding, easier to care for, and heck to the "new to the hobby" reefers just as amusing as a ritteri IMHO. I think you'll be just as pleased with a BTA
It should also stand a decent chance in your tank with PC lighting. Just get your water chemistry back in check and you'll be alright.Cheers
SVXH6
New member
not true i brought my current H. Mag back from bleaching under pc's.. check my gallery the last page has a pic when i first got it.. it was white and about 3 inches around.. it was under pc's for 6 months and has been under halides for the last 7 months..it has grown 4 to 5x the size in size, great color brown base purple tentacles and green tips.. i wouldnt suggest keeping one under pc's, as i see the huge difference in change when i changed my lighting.. i also fed everyday 2 silversides under the pc's.. it was 200 watts pc over a 29G when i first got it.. i didnt really realize what type of anemone it was(i thought it was a H. Mag but was'nt 100% sure) until it started growing, and the bumps on the underside were clearly visible..
Tony's(SVXH6) experience is not singular, but it is not common. The specimen in my gallery spent some early time under PC's as well before moving on to Metal Halides.
IME:
- H. magnifica is one of the most sensitive to tank moves, regardless of starting condition.
- Initial lighting is not real important when they are bleached. Too much and they tend to retreat until rebuilding a base level of zoox.
- H. magnifica is not a fan of tank instability
- H. magnifica has demonstrated the ability to survive while withering toward death for up to a year. They appear fine to most folks. Some folks call this "success" instead of acknowledging the failure.
They are an amazing species, but defy a simple list of requirements for success.
You asked for advice and it is simple: your tank is not prepared, the species has a dismal track record, it is already letting you know it's discomfort. At best you'll need to spend money on a lighting and flow upgrade near term, and a bigger tank long term. At worst you'll make the investments on a specimen that is already doomed to death.
Take it back to your LFS who sold it to you improperly and kept the specimen under improper conditions contributing to the current situation.
IME:
- H. magnifica is one of the most sensitive to tank moves, regardless of starting condition.
- Initial lighting is not real important when they are bleached. Too much and they tend to retreat until rebuilding a base level of zoox.
- H. magnifica is not a fan of tank instability
- H. magnifica has demonstrated the ability to survive while withering toward death for up to a year. They appear fine to most folks. Some folks call this "success" instead of acknowledging the failure.
They are an amazing species, but defy a simple list of requirements for success.
You asked for advice and it is simple: your tank is not prepared, the species has a dismal track record, it is already letting you know it's discomfort. At best you'll need to spend money on a lighting and flow upgrade near term, and a bigger tank long term. At worst you'll make the investments on a specimen that is already doomed to death.
Take it back to your LFS who sold it to you improperly and kept the specimen under improper conditions contributing to the current situation.
55semireef
Moved On
Thanks for correcing me on the lighting phender.
But what I think is just going on is that your organic load is high, the change stressed it out and possibly the pH. How lond did you acclimate it for?
Ciarán
New member
Mine is basking under a 150w Halide, literally 2" below the surface. The only spot it is fully expanded, and when i mean ex[anded, this thing is huge. I bought it as a rescue project - it was bleached - at the time i thought it was a BTA but i soon realised it was anything but. Plenty of flow (it HAS to be non-laminar), low velocity but high movement and put it right at the top of your tank. You cant overlight these things. I have seen H. Magnifica 3" below the surface under 400W halides and still craving more light.
55semireef
Moved On
They are quite the sight when you see them in person when fully expanded.
I acclimated it for about 10 minutes floating it. THis is what the store recommended and they said they are getting away from drip acclimation. I guess thats a dumb idea when the Ph is so different from the stores. So, what im hearing is i def need to get a better light or get rid of it? Also, i dont have a skimmer...does that change anything. Someone asked how long ive been in the hobby. The tank has been setup now for about 4 months. No hatemail please for my stupidity 
Flighty
Premium Member
No hatemail. This hobby is stressful enough without us jumping all over each other. The important thing is that you are trying to get the information you need and find out what will help the animals in your care.
Not having a skimmer isn't the biggest problem, but stability and tank size is. I don't think a 30g is able to stay constant enough for a magnifica to do well. Adding MH lighting will cause evaporation and temperature changes which a magnifica will not do well through. The other problem is the rapid growth of these guys. A healthy one can outgrow a tank that size in a few months and eat way more than most small systems can handle as waste.
Not having a skimmer isn't the biggest problem, but stability and tank size is. I don't think a 30g is able to stay constant enough for a magnifica to do well. Adding MH lighting will cause evaporation and temperature changes which a magnifica will not do well through. The other problem is the rapid growth of these guys. A healthy one can outgrow a tank that size in a few months and eat way more than most small systems can handle as waste.
55semireef
Moved On
Well the tank size can handle the bioload of it but that would be about the only thing you could really have in there with maybe a clownfish. But it will easily outgrow that tank. Also a 4 month old tank is way to premature for a Ritteri. A well established tank of about a year is recommended. Honestly, I would swtich it out with a BTA. Than think about upgrading it when your BTA begins to outgrow it.
