LTA Anemone in trouble? pics attached

ThunderTurtle · 02-20-2003, 11:51 PM

I have had this LTA for 2 days. He's moved around a little bit, but stayed in the general location. He hasnt yet buried himself much and his tentecals have seemed pretty limp. I've tried adjusting the waterflow slightly to see what he likes, and he has perked up a little, but not a significant change. Today I noticed 1 hermit in particular(blue legged) near him, picking at a bit of tissue that was beside him, and generally annoying the anenome. I moved the hermit and he came right back so I have isolated him for now to give the LTA a chance. I tested water conditions and they seem fine, excpt for a little bit of ammonia. .1 mg/l, water temp is 77.9 to 78.3, salinity 1.0245. Total waterflow is about 200 gph(11x gallons, it's an 18 gallon ViaAqua 680 tank), but realativly low in the area he is in. If anyone has ideas on what to do for him, I could really use the advice. Thanks everyone.

Side View. You can see the limp tentecals and the depth of the sand bed.. it's aprox 3-3.5" deep.

Top view. You can see the bit of tissue off to the side of him.

And another top view

And a pic of the red open brain I just added

-Travis

Jeremy1973 · 02-21-2003, 07:43 AM

Anenomes are fickle critters. They can look like they are on the edge of death for a few days, and then poof...they are open and happy. You don't need to adjust your water flow to much, anenomes will move where they are happy. Has he always been on the substrate? You may want to place him up in the rocks where he can attach to something a little more firm. i would also try offering him a little bit of food and see if he takes that. Be patient. As for the hermit...different reasons why he kept going to the anenome, and yes, one could be it dying...but... don't think that. Be positive.

Another question I have is, how did you acclimate him to your tank? Just pluck and drop, a slow drip, etc. ? That can also help give us an idea of what your little guy is doing. Thanks.

ThunderTurtle · 02-21-2003, 05:47 PM

He was acclimated very slowly to the tank.. floating in his bag to adjust temperature and slowly adding my own sea water. I did get him to eat some frozen brine shrimp last night and he seemed to perk up for it. He still hasnt attached, but he has been on the substrate the whole time, I havnt tried the rocks yet as everything I seem to have read says they like substrate at least 3" deep to bury thier base in. Can anyone confirm this?

Jeremy1973 · 02-21-2003, 06:25 PM

They do...that is why I put mine on the rocks, he found a nice little cave that he put his base in. But, I have seen an anenome in a friends tank that was in the substrate, and when we looked at the bottom of the tank, we saw hi foot!

And he was in...I think 4" of sand. Anyway, that is why i was suggesting the rock. he won't have to burrow, he can just ease in.

Just a thought though. Good to hear he was eating.

dark horge · 02-22-2003, 12:44 AM

Travis,

M. doreensis in the wild are indeed, usually sand/silt/mud dwellers. Nevertheless, there is always a hard object under the gunk that they are anchored to. I have kept a few of such satisfactorily on hard substrate for years.

Your pics aren't showing up for me, or I might have more to offer.

amateureefer · 02-22-2003, 01:53 AM

Don't know if it will work, but you might want to try shutting off your pumps for a little while and seeing what happens. My LTA is generally opened up, but when I turn the pumps off he opens to his full size which is a alot bigger. Also, it could be that the pumps are making it more difficult for him to move where he would like and get a solid footing. Just an idea, but it could be helpful.

ThunderTurtle · 02-22-2003, 01:58 AM

I considered that, but I dont know what effect it would have on my other corals. Possibly if it was at night when they are closed?
I may try it for a short period tonight. and see if I can get him setup somewhere he likes.

ThunderTurtle · 02-22-2003, 03:12 PM

I moved him to the rocks last night, and he seems to be much much happier there. Only thing is i'm worried he will float off as he hasnt really latched onto it yet. Is there any way of secureing anenome's until they can take hold? Similar to how you can superglue coral frags until they latch on?

Jeremy1973 · 02-23-2003, 02:05 AM

nah...he will be fine. They can attach very quickly if they are happy...if he feels like he will get blown away...he will grab hold.