Anemone disintegrating?

Blueboy · 10-19-2003, 12:37 PM

I have a pink tipped anemone that has been in my tank for going on 5 months now. *However, within the past two days he looks like he has been twisted and he looks like he is being eaten from within. His color is also darker than normal. *
My nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, and pH are all within normal parameters but I have done an emergency water change just in case. *Everything else in the tank seems to be doing fine. *Unfortunetly I don't have a digital camera to post a picture of him.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Matt Rogers · 10-20-2003, 09:48 AM

Bad sign. Turning inside out is usually the sign of a melt-down to come. Is it still alive? Test for copper?

Phil5613 · 10-20-2003, 07:09 PM

What is your lighting setup? If he is started to look like chewed bubble gum you are definitely in trouble, be ready to remove him if he dies. Next to having a sponge go belly up in the tank while out of town for the week end an anemone can smell pretty nasty. Have you tried target feeding it when it looks ok?

Blueboy · 10-21-2003, 02:40 AM

I've been target feeding him every week. I have dual flourescents. Hes still alive as of this morning and I'm going to get the water tested today.

Blueboy · 10-21-2003, 10:41 AM

I got the water tested for copper and phosphate today. A little trace amounts but no where near the danger zone. I did another water change anyway. The anemone doesn't look any better but hes still alive for now. Thanks for the advice.

Phil5613 · 10-21-2003, 07:33 PM

Are your dual flourescents meaning standard lighting? That may be part of the issue.

Blueboy · 10-22-2003, 01:36 PM

They are standard lighting. I wonder though if he would have lasted as long as he did if it were that big of a problem though.

karlas · 10-24-2003, 10:45 PM

i would say it might be your lighting. anemones actually need a hi output light like metal halides to survive properly. under standard lighting they may do ok for a while but slowly die off to where you dont notice right away.

Craig Manoukian · 10-25-2003, 05:51 AM

[quote author=karlas link=board=ASAP;num=1066603066;start=0#7 date=10/25/03 at 01:45:49]under standard lighting they may do ok for a while but slowly die off to where you dont notice right away.[/quote]

This is right on the money! Anenomes produce zoanthalea wich itis a phoyosynthetic organism that provides food for the anenome. When you have insufficient lghting, intensity is the key, your anenome will slowly perish. MHs are the norm for highly photosynthetics like clams and anenomes.

Blueboy · 10-25-2003, 06:03 AM

Thanks for the help. The anemone kicked the bucket last night. I'll have to get better lighting before I get another anemone.