Anemone Help

[dolphindan]

Hello, I currently have a fluval evo 5 gallon with a 22 W fluval marine 3.0 light on it. Attached are the percentages and water parameters. The anemone has currently taken hold on the rock and seems to open and bloom the best at night when the lights are off. I recently spot fed him mysis and he spat it back out, and remained open. Color seems to be fine and the same as it was at purchase time. Just looking for tips to watch for and see if he’s doing okay. See photos. Thanks :)

 

[KrisReef]

Feed the fish and let them feed the anemone.

The parameters are fine but the new tank is a challenge for creatures that thrive in the wild ( dirty and filled with plankton).

Feed the fish!

 

[Foskett]

The anemone is bleached which is why it is not opening fully during lights on.
Your tank is also very new and shouldn’t have had an anemone added. They need mature tanks to thrive.

Personally, I would see if your LFS would allow you to bring it back.

 

[dolphindan]

The anemone is bleached which is why it is not opening fully during lights on.
Your tank is also very new and shouldn’t have had an anemone added. They need mature tanks to thrive.

Personally, I would see if your LFS would allow you to bring it back.

For learnings sake’s if youre going off the photo, what are you looking at to determine bleaching? The color it is now is the color I purchased it as.

 

[Uncle99]

For learnings sake’s if youre going off the photo, what are you looking at to determine bleaching? The color it is now is the color I purchased it as.

Does look bleached to me as well.
Most bleached nems are bleached at the LFS.
It may recover.

 

[ThisIsTheWay]

My understanding is that most anemones get their color from the zooxanthella inside them. Stressed, unhealthy, and dying anemones may expel their zooxanthella leading them to look bleached/pale/colorless.

This is a great example with pictures of a bleached anemone that colors up when it gets its zooxanthella back:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/zooxanthellae-transplant-for-bleached-anemones.758507/
The one exception to this that I have seen is Condy anemones that I believe are naturally pale with pink/purple dots on the tips of their tentacles.
This looks like what you have so I'm not too concerned about bleaching on it. It looks healthy in the picture with the clownfish.

The main thing I can think of to keep an eye on is if it shrivels up and doesn't retract its tentacles. It's normal for an anemone to shrink (mine do every evening) and even close from time to time. The main difference between healthy and unhealthy is that a healthy anemone will pull its tentacles at least mostly inside and look more like a ball.
An unhealthy anemone will just look like someone deflated it but it's all still out and flowing in the water. Keep in mind, if this happens once I would not be concerned, it's more of an issue if it's happening repeatedly.

 

[dolphindan]

My understanding is that most anemones get their color from the zooxanthella inside them. Stressed, unhealthy, and dying anemones may expel their zooxanthella leading them to look bleached/pale/colorless.

This is a great example with pictures of a bleached anemone that colors up when it gets its zooxanthella back:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/zooxanthellae-transplant-for-bleached-anemones.758507/
The one exception to this that I have seen is Condy anemones that I believe are naturally pale with pink/purple dots on the tips of their tentacles.
This looks like what you have so I'm not too concerned about bleaching on it. It looks healthy in the picture with the clownfish.

The main thing I can think of to keep an eye on is if it shrivels up and doesn't retract its tentacles. It's normal for an anemone to shrink (mine do every evening) and even close from time to time. The main difference between healthy and unhealthy is that a healthy anemone will pull its tentacles at least mostly inside and look more like a ball.
An unhealthy anemone will just look like someone deflated it but it's all still out and flowing in the water. Keep in mind, if this happens once I would not be concerned, it's more of an issue if it's happening repeatedly.

Truthfully, I was very excited to buy one and the LFS guy said “it’s a really nice one, compared to three other ruby red color BTAs” so I went with it. Perhaps I bought a dud based on what most are saying. It doesnt loom slimy or gross when it retracts but it HIDES when the lights come on and only pops out and expands during the night time. It took mysis today in small amounts without issue. Concerned i got sucker. Knowing me I likely look at buying another healthier looking one once the tank matures so I can compare. Thank you for the reply!

 

[dolphindan]

Does look bleached to me as well.
Most bleached nems are bleached at the LFS.
It may recover.

Thanks for the reply

 

[dolphindan]

Thank you all for the info and tips.

 

[Uncle99]

Thanks for the reply

There is one type that looks like that naturally, but it’s not a BTA and doesn’t host clowns.