Sorry, another concern about S. Gigantea

sugartooth

sugartooth

Reef bully
Hello,
I have some follow on questions about S. Gigantea. I've recieved them and they look pretty good, react quickly to stimulus such as touch and flow.

How long on average does it take to 'find' the place they like? It seems they will stay for only few hours or so and shrink up to move somewhere else. They are constantly inflating and then deflating and curling up.

Initially, I put them where I thought they would like it and turned the flow down. I thought they liked a bit of lifting flow. It's been about 30 hours since I got them and every morning they are upside down in the sand a little farther away from where they were when I went to bed. Although I had no nitrates and nitrites present, I did a 25% water change just in case.

I put some mysis in the tank and saw them float by, and they stuck for some time, and then let it go.


Also, are there tips and tricks of what they like most? I turned down the flow again to allow them to settle. Should I do this or should I let them find their place with the max flow going? It seems that they let go and curl up every time I turn it up.

Thanks again in advance for the help. This forum seems to be place where the most advice is offered.
 
I forgot to add that there is nothing in the tank currently. I wanted to add the anemone first before clowns.

The size is small as well. It's about the size of an average woman's fist. (so 4-6" across)
 
I say just cover your power heads and go for full flow. Will you post some picks? I would be stoked to see more Gigantea picks.
Good luck.
Cope
 
fully describe your system (including lighting, pumps & powerheads) and water parameters.
An anemone blowing around the aquarium is a bad thing.
 
Thank you Cope. What about the upside down on the sand after I go for full flow?

Why do they allow themselves to sit in the sand upside down? It seems to happen at night and when I crank up the flow.

I just took some pictures of their current condition. First, a picture of the small one, this one was very tight until this morning.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nullcable/2337845004/" title="small gigantea by nullcable, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2337845004_e698bd2766.jpg" width="500" height="272" alt="small gigantea" /></a>


The larger one:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nullcable/2337845016/" title="large gigantea by nullcable, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/2337845016_f8cd30e067_o.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="large gigantea" /></a>


Then a series of pan out shots to show relationship to rock, vortech, and size.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nullcable/2337845034/" title="small and larger gigantea by nullcable, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2337845034_0a4d8542d7_o.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="small and larger gigantea" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nullcable/2337845020/" title="pan out gigantea by nullcable, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2150/2337845020_119553e04a_o.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="pan out gigantea" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nullcable/2337845024/" title="pan out gigantea #2 by nullcable, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2337845024_dc61e406fe_o.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="pan out gigantea #2" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nullcable/2337845040/" title="tank shot gigantea by nullcable, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2337845040_6601f7e0fc_o.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="tank shot gigantea" /></a>


I also just yesterday put in a couple of snails. I had nothing in there previously except lighting every day.
 
Thank you Gary. Yes, I am concerned that they are not planting their foot. But I wasn't sure how long it normally takes for them to settle in under good conditions.

Is it a couple of days, or something like minutes to hours?


The system is an Elos system 70 with their skimmer and Eheim return pump.

I have a Vortech pump also, and found when I turned it up, they immediately shrink up and blow around on the sand until they hit the lower flow area, just below the vortech and stay there.

So then I tried to lower the flow so they don't curl up and let them settle in.

I will provide a complete tank shot in a few moments.

The lighting is Sfiligoi 250 DE 14K halide with 4 T5.
 
Here is a current pic that may be more clear of the smaller one:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nullcable/2337065543/" title="smll gigantea by nullcable, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2409/2337065543_412afea5f4_o.jpg" width="600" height="658" alt="smll gigantea" /></a>

the large gigantea, it's in a difficult spot to photograph so the best picture is this one:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nullcable/2337065539/" title="lg gigantea by nullcable, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2356/2337065539_dab53bab48_o.jpg" width="800" height="404" alt="lg gigantea" /></a>


Here is the full setup as of today:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nullcable/2337065537/" title="full setup shot by nullcable, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2337065537_af856daf23_o.jpg" width="477" height="800" alt="full setup shot" /></a>
 
All of the pictures I've posted were taken this morning. Before this morning, the smaller one would have a long foot, almost like a stalk.

The larger one doesn't seem to change as much. Only when I increase the flow.

I keep flipping them over and moving pushing them into different areas of the tank as well. I don't use my hands, I wave a plastic lid and let the current pick them up and I move them that way.
 
I would think with that much light and that little rock where ever they settle is gonna be fine. They should have attached by now, Mine attached in about 45 minuets? If all you parameters are fine you should be ok. I thought I read some where that the addition of a pair of clowns may help the anemone acclimate? Mine took to the anemone in minuets and haven't left it yet.

I like the tank and light set up, very nice.

I also would not sweat the anemone to much, mine is still alive after much fuss, contracting, and such. I think just crank the flow and let them find their spot.

Good luck and please keep us updated
Cope
 
Thanks Cope, I just looked at it.....it changed again.

From the time I posted the last pics, here is what it looks like now (the small one in the middle)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nullcable/2337971550/" title="smll gigantea 1 hr. later by nullcable, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2337971550_705ba8c842_o.jpg" width="664" height="600" alt="smll gigantea 1 hr. later" /></a>


Thanks for your input......since it's looking better now, and I haven't done anything with the flow (still low)
Do you think I should leave them a little while before cranking the flow? Or just go ahead and crank it now.

I ask because I know if I crank it up now they will change again and fly off the sand.
 
One thing I did was to place a flat rock under the anemones foot on the lee or down current side, this way if the current moved it, it would move on to a nice flat rock. Or you could try building a rock fence around it. If they are just sitting on the sand then no don't give it full blast. I'm not expert, but I find it very hard to believe that a anemone can hold on to sand? If you substrate is thin you could dig a hole for it, and let it attach to the glass. The foot on mine moves fast, In fact this is one of the fastest moving anemones I have ever seen.
The color on your anemones look very nice as well.
 
Heres a pick of mine this morning.
DSC00426.jpg

I guess I should clarify my statement, This anemone can move fast if it wants to. Mine has hardly moved at all. A few inches the entire time.
In this pick you can see the flat rock I put down. It is now completely attached to the flat rock.
Thanks for all your help Gary.
 
cope, that anemone clearly looks miserable. You should get it out of your tank and ship it to me before it's too late!!
 
sugartooth,
Your tank look new. It seem to just barely finish cycling.
There is no chance that the two anemone live in this tank. I am sorry to say this but it is true.
IMO, Gigantea is the hardest anemone to keep. Most anemone, even Haddoni carpet would not live in your tank right now. Wait at least 6 more month, then consider add them then.
 
Thank you OrionN for your observation. Yes and no, the tank itself is pretty new. The contents are from an established system.
I have been monitoring the quality and thus far there was no fluctuation. Although the testing showed no nitrites/nitrates and pH and alk was in range, I still did a water change. I will do some more water changes to be sure as well.

That's why I asked for tips and tricks to keep this anemone other than lighting, flow and water quality. On paper, as long as you have all of these, you should be successful. However, I would like to understand the behavior a little bit better to try and provide less stress.

Perhaps I should add clowns now? There is still nothing except two snails in there.

Thank you again for your input.
 
How do they look today? also i have a source for Magnifica if these guys dont make it, you can wait it out and add a Mag in a couple months.
 
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