Whats going on with my long tip anemone

[tiflyche]

I am new to anemones and reefing for that matter. This guy was doing great and now he is inflated. He settled down in the base of the rock work immediately when I got him. He stayed for about two weeks and then went roaming. He landed on the top left encrusted rock and stayed tight for a day. He has now returned to his "home" but has a bloated appearance.

Is this a "normal" appearance for an anemone? I know they are living creatures that do as they please, but this makes no sense.

I know it expels zooxanthellae from time to time, but the day before it moved, it seemed to have a softer form "ghosting" out of it along with the harder used form. I have tried to feed it pieces of silversides, mysis shrimp, and flakes. It does not eat, which leads me to believe that it's kitchen is working.

What's Going On???

 

[lpsouth1978]

In the third picture it looks like a happy nem. All of the others, it looks like a roaming, unhappy nem. It is virtually impossible to give any advice without more info on your system. Please post ALL of your system params, lighting, flow, other items in tank, etc. Sump, Skimmer, Fuge? Also, how long has the system been running?

The more info you can give, the more we can help. Anemones are very sensitive and will move, deflate, or even die if they are not happy with some aspect of your system.

 

[Gregg@ADP]

Try finding a spot on the bottom moderate flow and between a couple of rocks, brush the sand off it, and then place it there. They like latching on to smooth, flat surfaces and having a place they can retract back into.

Having said that, LTs can be a pain if they start to wander.

 

[Uncle99]

Anenomes need at least 40g tanks with near perfect water, stable and consistent for at least 6 months, strong lighting in the correct spectrum, otherwise they dwindle.

 

[930Reef]

I had a similar situation. It looks like he has the ability to attach, so that's good. Not a torn foot.

That said, don't mess with it. I did too much when I was new and I tore it foot and lost it. I know that's easier said than done, and you could stare all day frustrated that he won't settle down.

Usually where rock meets sand is a good spot for them. I think that's why your 3rd pic he looks so happy. Turn down your flow if you haven't already until he settles in, and then slowly ramp it back up.

It may take some time, but he'll settle. It'll be frustrating in the meantime. He's looking for perfect flow, perfect lighting, and perfect base to bury his foot.

People will tell you that you need a deep sand bed for these anemones, but others will also tell you that 1-2 inches is fine. I had no success with mine but that wasn't the nem's fault. I messed with him too much trying to get him to settle. I've so far had more luck with bubble tips, though I know those will pose their own problems.

Others who've successfully kept LTAs for a longer period of time may chime in here to help more?

In the meantime I'll find an old post where there's a user on here that has a great setup for his LTAs. I'll link it in a second if I can find it. If you can get it to work, I think they are beautiful. Mine also hosted an ocellaris in less than 2 weeks, despite not being totally settled in. They're fun.

 

[930Reef]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2673166

About halfway down a user posted a large picture of a 'cove' they built for their LTAs, to give them plenty of rock-sand junctions to attach. They can dig their foot under the rock into the sand, and if you're lucky, attach to the glass down there, or even the rock in the crevice. The user swears by the setup, and it makes sense. He even has them coexisting with bubble tip nems right above.

Good luck. Keep us posted on the progress!

 

[tiflyche]

UPDATE: the nem has settled back into its rock again. This anemone has been in my system for two weeks. My system is approximately two months new. I bought the nem before I switched to a more knowledgeable LFS.

The cycle is complete with steady water parameters tested weekly. Water changes of 15% every other week.
Softies and LPS tank with hermit and emerald crabs, sea cucmber, feather dusters, , and 1 pajama cardinal.

Parameters are tested with API, refractometer, pH/salinity/TDS (Eutech Instruments)

Salinity 1.026
pH 8.0
KH 9-10 dKH (161.1-179.0 ppm)
Nitrite 0 ppm
Ammonia 0-0.25 ppm
Phosphate 0-0.25 ppm
Calcium 400-420 mg/L
Nitrate 0-5 ppm
Temp 78.2 - 78.6 F

60 gal tank. Current Orbit Marine Pro IC loop LED lighting, Reef Octopus skimmer HOB, marineland emporeor biowheel filtration with carbon and filter media (changed 2x weekly) 2 powerheads: one 800gph near filter and 1600gph head near skimmer.

 

[tiflyche]

Thanks [MENTION=372269]930Reef[/MENTION] for the link. I love the look of the anemone cove. I have a rock with a bit of a deep crevice that the nem always finds its way back to and perks back up. I initially cleared the sand down to glass under the area and turned off flow. After a few days flow was maxed out znd the nem was happy. Then two weeks later, bloated.

I have kept my hands out of the tank for 2 whole days now letting it move as it needs. Next time I will wait

 

[NYCBOB]

long tentacle anemones like deep sand bed. a 2 month old tank isnt an ideal condition to keep an anemone yet. should wait at least 6 months.