Blue Carpet Anemone

[Gracie]

:help

My blue carpet anemone is doing poorly. Water quality is good...no nitrates to be found, 8.3 Ph, trace minerals OK, temp is 78 degrees, calcium is high 550 (can't hurt, can it?), SG 1.025, and a most affectionate occilaris.

The anemone isn't eating, has lost it's super stickeyness, and looks droopy. It's mouth, hiney, blow hole is open wide.

Any suggestions besides "Carpets are finicky and you should have known better"?

[Mafiaman]

Sorry to hear about your trouble Gracie, I would just say to watch closely when they die they fall apart quickly and cause and ammonia spike..

[Gracie]

I've had one die on me before, a bubble that the store admitted was from a bad batch. It got real nasty, real fast. I'm especially bummed that I got rid of a nice flourescent green bubble to make room for this guy. It was not inexpensive...just hope it pulls through.

[MyReef]

How long have you had it...? Give us tank specs..size water movement, other inhabitants, lighting...

THey really need high water flow...HIGH lighting. I have had a blue carpet for almost 2 years...first in a 150 with lots of halides now in my 400 with more halides and tons of current...

[Mafiaman]

How are things working out Gracie?

[Gracie]

Well now I know! Took a sample and the flaccid critter to the store. Water tested thru the roof for nitrates. Recon that most of the tankmates had been around for long enough to acclimate to the horrible conditions. Guys at the store said that this is not the first time they have seen false negatives with the SeaTest kit. In fact, they don't order it any more. The rest of water parameters were right on the money. I left the anemone at the store hoping that a few days back home might help it do better while I change, change, change the water. It is still a little stickey and not too faded, so, we'll just light a candle for 'em.

[MyReef]

Can you give us your lighting params and tank setup? If this is the second anemone you have lost it might be helpful to see what kind of system is going to be best for them.