URGENT HELP for haddoni

[DJM32189]

Hi,

I purchased a very large S. haddoni anemone yesterday. The base is not lacerated and is attached to the substrate/rock in the tank. The tentacles are sticky and I fed it a little frozen food and pellets. The color is a blueish green.

However, the mouth has been open since I introduced it. Nothing comes out of the mouth (it did go the bathroom this morning), but you can see the white fleshy folds on the inside. The mouth is not inverted, but open.

Is this normal for the new anemone, or is it going to die??!!!

Tank specs:

36 gallon bowfront
196 watts PowerCompact Lighting (50/50)
1.026
0,0,0 ammonia nitrites, nitrates
Carbon running
Protein skimmer running
80 degrees

Please Help Me

 

[DJM32189]

I just performed a 30% water change and the mouth seems to have closed a little

 

[DJM32189]

The mouth is now more like an elongated oval that is very thin, but I can still see the white "molar teeth" looking inside

 

[GSMguy]

you need more light for haddoni they need lots of light do best under 400w halide or t5with individual reflectors

 

[DJM32189]

I thought that if I fed it enogh fresh seafood, it wold be fine

 

[COreefer]

I'm not an expert by any mens, but I have been talking with a few lately. For starters, the light is fine for now, because much more light could be a stresser. Second, from the sound of things it sounds like you haddoni is going through normal acclimation. I could be wrong if so, please correct me on this. What is the flow in your tank? You may want to think about ramping it up if low...also try feeding a filleted silverside directly into its mouth.

BTW, how long have you had it?

 

[DJM32189]

I bought some fresh squid and clams at Shaws and I fed them to the anemone (I put it on his tentacles). The mouth immediately closed up, his tentacles started moving and he swayed around a little, however, so far (about 1 minute past) he has not eaten the food?!!!

I am confused!

 

[chris79]

you have to have more light

 

[DJM32189]

Also, the chunks were about 0.5 inches wide (the anemone is 10 inches in diameter). The mouth is completely closed now (all green). BUT, he will not eat the squid or clam

 

[COreefer]

Feed silversides, and haddonis can survive under PC's especially while it is acclimating. The lighting is not the issue right now. Again, how long have you had the anemone, and what is the flow like in your tank??

 

[DJM32189]

I have had the anemone for about 20 hours. For flow, there are two maxijets in the tank and 1 70 gallon whisper filter (no bio media) and 1 protein skimmer. He has good flow where he is, but it is not too hard.

I did not see any silversides at Shaws

The mouth is now completely closed and it looks perfect, but it won't eat, however, it did grab my hand and hold on for a few!!

 

[COreefer]

You would get the silversides from the LFS...I would say give the anemone some time to adjust to your tank conditions. Also with a small tank like a 20 there could be changing variables you are not aware of...specific gravity and PH are two off the top of my head. Are these stable?? How old is the tank?

 

[DJM32189]

it is a 36 gallon and it has been setup for about 1 year. The 20 is the old tank (I really need to update that!!) and I simply switched everythin (including LR and what not) over to the new 36 gallon bowfront. Oh, and the 20 gallon was setup for about 4 years or so (maybe 5).

I really hope that it survives and lives healthy.

 

[COreefer]

My bad...I read that initially, but the last post I looked at your current tanks. Sorry about that.

 

[DJM32189]

Do you find it odd that all of a sudden the mouth completely closes, but he does not eat the food?

I will look for some silver sides today at the LFS, but I have not seen them.

How long do you think that it will take to be fully acclimated?

Now my hand is all itchy too from its' tentacles.

 

[COreefer]

I don't find it odd the anemone won't eat the squid or clams. Try silversides (saltwater, and don't get the sand eels or whatever their called) or krill. Then if it doesn't eat, you should worry a little. As far as full acclimation I would say a few days or a week or so.

Take a slice of silverside and gently push it into the anemones mouth.

 

[DJM32189]

is that a yes to krill or a no to krill?

BTW, thank you soooo much for all of your help. My fish and corals sure do like clam and squid though! They all went crazy for it especially my open brains, torch and saddle clown.

 

[COreefer]

That is a yes to krill..but silversides are better.

 

[mwood]

Mine has been eating krill for a while and does fine one it. I would agree that you should consider more light sooner or later, but no hurry. I'm thinking a small halide. No bigger than a 175w. Be careful of heat if you switch to a halide.

 

[Amphiprion]

The lighting is ok, but I would definitely consider a fish based meat for this species.