Bubble tip anemone sick

Discussion in 'ASAP' started by mlong12, Dec 10, 2016.

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  1. mlong12

    mlong12 Astrea Snail

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    Hey guys,

    My bubble tip was looking great last night, but this morning it was looking withered, some whispy grey stuff was streaming off of it and its foot was coming loose from the rock. I have read that if they die, they can really mess up a tank, so I pulled him out and have him off to the side in some of the tank water. When I grabbed him, it shrunk up, and was still attached to the rock slightly, so I know its still alive.

    Water parameters: PH - 8.1, Ammonia - 0 ppm, Nitrite - 0 ppm, Nitrate - 10 ppm, Temp - 74-75 degF, Salinity - 1.026.

    I have a long tentacle anemone who seems to be thriving still. What do I do so I don't lose my nem???
     
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  3. Swisswiss

    Swisswiss Caribbean Reef Squid

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    how long have you had it? was the stuff coming out brownish, and was is oozing out? if so it may have expelled its zooxanthellae, or it may have simply been pooping.... if your values are true I dont see what it could be other than lighting. have you changed anything in your system recently? a photo would help

    edit: also how big is your tank
     
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  4. mlong12

    mlong12 Astrea Snail

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    I've had it for around 2 months. It was sort of greyish, and I wouldn't say oozing, but it was kind of stringy. I wish I had taken a picture of it before I pulled it, but the fact that he was falling off of his rock was what made me worry the most. Here is a picture of it now, now sure how much it helps:/ I can get more pictures if you need a different part of him or something. My avatar picture is actually him at his best. For lighting I have 2x 7" radion G4's set to the radiant color mode at 25% intensity.

    I tested the water like 5 min before I posted this, so they should be pretty accurate. I used the API marine saltwater master test kit. IMG_4414.JPG
     
  5. Swisswiss

    Swisswiss Caribbean Reef Squid

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    hmm im not liking that color, what color is it when its not under "blue lights"? is it mouth gaping open? dont handle it anymore will just stress it more. id maybe put an airstone in there to keep the water moving a little if you can. temp is also going to drop unless you have a heater so keep that in mind
     
  6. Swisswiss

    Swisswiss Caribbean Reef Squid

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    has it been 2 months under the radions or was she under different lights before?
     
  7. mlong12

    mlong12 Astrea Snail

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    That's under just a regular white led. He finally opened up a bit, and his mouth was open, but not gaping. I went to the lfs (happens to also be a friend) and talking with him, he said that he should be good but to up the intensity of my lights a little.
    It's been under the radions for the full time, however, about 2 weeks ago I changed the program from more of a white spectrum program to more of a blue spectrum program.
    Per the instructions of my friend at the lfs, I put him back where he was, and he is starting to attach and open up. I've added a picture of him just now. Also, just saw your edit. It's a 75 gal display with an 18 gal sump

    image.jpg
     
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  9. cody3819

    cody3819 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    I would let it be, but to make sure I would run carbon.... it's more than likely the light intensity....


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  10. mlong12

    mlong12 Astrea Snail

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    What do you mean by run carbon? Thank you, I'll turn the intensity up to 35 and see how it goes.
     
  11. Swisswiss

    Swisswiss Caribbean Reef Squid

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    looks like its bleaching to me... this means the zooxanthellae are leaving its body, the reasons for this can be many. temperature and water chemistry ( you didnt mention your MG and Ca and Alk. levels ), low levels of nutrients, though this is not your case, and to much or to little light can also cause bleaching.

    its not catastrophic as an anemone can make a come back from this, but you need to find what the cause is, otherwise yes, it will eventually be its demise...

    cody is right when he says "run carbon" what he means is get your hands on some quality activated carbon from your LFS, this will ensure that if things go south the carbon will absorb most of the nasties released by the anemone.

    how old is your system?
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2016
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  12. cody3819

    cody3819 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Thanks Swiss for clarifying for me.... And I'm sorry mlong12 I should have been a little more specific with my comment. But as Swiss stated, carbon will absorb most of the ammonia released from the nem if it does pass. I don't believe it will because BBT anemones are way hardier than we give them credit for. But something in your tank needs to change, and personally I believe it's your lighting. You have a very good fixture so I would turn it up, as you said you would do, and let it run its course.


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