Rose anemone and Black and White clowns

[lostmyz]

So I have a rose anemone and a pair of black and white clowns. They came with my tank and the fish are doing great and the anemone was doing wonderful up until a day or two ago. First the anemone is rather small for the size of the clowns I have or so I think when its puffed out its about the size of a half dollar or maybe a silver dollar coin at most. Second it has decided to move itself into a position where his foot is literally in a hole and can't get out and I cant get the rock out without destroying my entire tank (fail on you anemone). Third he is looking a little sad on one side (see attached pictures). it looks as if he is being nipped at on that side while the other side looks wonderful.

So question is what do I do? Am I going to lose my anemone (cause I'd really rather not) I fed it some mysis shrimp over the weekend and it ate them. Gobbled them up right quick. I have noticed my smaller of my two clowns once atleast looked like it was nipping it (am I not feeding my clowns enough? I upper their food since than). Is he not doing as well because he' stuck for life in the hole and can't grow?

Anyway any advise would be great. Thank You!

I've been tempted to take a very long flat head screw driver and try to crack the piece of rock off so he can move out of the hole....

 

[Rippinfrags]

No! Do not use the screwdriver put it back in the garage. Your anemone is enjoying the fact that it's foot is wedged in a "hole". I believe your anemone is starting to bleach, which is why only part of it is turning white. Eventually all of it will be white, if you do not change something in your tank. Whatever you do, make sure you do not try and move it. You will need to answer a few questions before anyone can really help you out.
What size tank do you have?
What kind of lighting?
What are your tank parameters?
Secondly, Your anemone is much too small to be hosting any size or type of clownfish. You will need the anemone to get much larger and healthier first.

 

[lostmyz]

Ok the screwdriver is back in the garage. And i agree the anemone is way to small for my clowns. I bought the tank from some dude and its what came with it

Tank: I have a 29gal Biocube with the protein skimmer, and the middle chamber has rubble in it now.
Lighting: T5HO Nova Extreme 20" with 3 10,000K bulbs and 3 460nm Actinics
Parameters: Ca 480, Mg 1400, KH 11, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, pH 8.2, Phosphate 0.06, Nitrate last week was 10ppm (yes I know its high, I did a water change immediately)

 

[lostmyz]

And my SG is 1.023-1.025. I have a bunch of Corals in the tank that are thriving...acros that are growing and mushrooms and zoanthids that are spawning... I attribute the nitrate spike to the live sand that I have and i reorganized my aquascape earlier in the week kicking up some stuff.

Anyways I think maybe its poor feeding or current since I moved the rock across the tank and made the flow in his new zone not very strong at all

 

[chrisv]

Anemones are masters at going where they want to go. Don't try and move him. If he wants a darker spot, he will find one. If he prefers a brighter spot he will move up. The same goes for flow.

Focus on water chemistry and protecting from clownfish for now. Perhaps its time for the inverted strawberry basket.

 

[lostmyz]

inverted strawberry basket? LOL!!!!! I had to take a double look at that quote. I thought u were saying get another larger anemone for them (since i have heard soem random names since I got into this hobby years ago).

 

[Po Sei Don]

Haha I read his strawberry basket idea and I remember using that idea to shelter some coral a few years back! Classic.

 

[bues0022]

It's likely that your anemone didn't get to that point over just a few days. It has to have been either 1) in poor shape to start with, or 2) on a slow decline for a long time. A RBTA should be a deep, full red color, not pink/white like yours. The move was likely pretty tough on it, so keeping up with your water parameters will be key. Also, keep feeding it while it is recovering. Small meaty foods like the mysis you fed are great. Don't feed large chunks.

How old are the bulbs? It's quite possible they are past their usable life and may be another reason for the downhill turning anemone.

Putting its foot in a hole is indeed a good thing. BTA's like to have their "foot in the shade" so to speak. It provides a good solid hold, and protection should it need to withdraw from potential predators. Keep your salinity closer to 1.025-1.026 than 1.022 also.

 

[Rippinfrags]

And my SG is 1.023-1.025. I have a bunch of Corals in the tank that are thriving...acros that are growing and mushrooms and zoanthids that are spawning... I attribute the nitrate spike to the live sand that I have and i reorganized my aquascape earlier in the week kicking up some stuff.

Anyways I think maybe its poor feeding or current since I moved the rock across the tank and made the flow in his new zone not very strong at all

My guess is the anemone was damaged/abused in the move. Flow should not really matter, because like others have stated the bta will move, if it does not like something. IMO, you will need to regularly feed the bta in order for it to regain it's health. Once the anemone recovers, my guess is that it will move higher up in your tank, looking for more light! Good luck and keep us posted..