Anemone looking rough

[Reefingthebestong]

I have had this sunburst anemone for around 1 year. It used to be 18 inches long stretching across the whole rock and recently (2 months) it started going downhill. It seems to look bumpy ish now and has a more brown colour than the extremely bright orange it was before. It also keeps moving around in the rock whereas before it stayed in one place and was healthy and happy. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. Please give advice.

 

[jbhydroman]

Hi, been having some trouble with numerous Anemones in my tank, as well. Anemones that move around a lot means they are not happy with their surroundings. It could be water quality (test your water for PH, Nitrites, Ammonia, Nitrates, Phos.,) Also, do you have any other anemones of different species, In your tank? According to the University of Arizona, says that certain ones like carpet anemones can emit a toxin that is toxic to other anemones. I had a BTA and a carpet in the same tank, while the carpet grew from a size of a quarter to the size a a large bowl, the BTA started to move around and deflated and looks sickly. The BTA shrunk to the size of a AAA sized battery, but the Carpet kept growing.
You said you have had the anemone for a year, doing well, until the last couple of months. So I am thinking your lighting was good and you were feeding every so often, I feed my carpet about twice a week, a pencil diameter size of shrimp.
Here is a good article on sea Anemones, Hopes this helps.
https://forfishlovers.com/anemone-moving/

 

[Reefingthebestong]

Hi, been having some trouble with numerous Anemones in my tank, as well. Anemones that move around a lot means they are not happy with their surroundings. It could be water quality (test your water for PH, Nitrites, Ammonia, Nitrates, Phos.,) Also, do you have any other anemones of different species, In your tank? According to the University of Arizona, says that certain ones like carpet anemones can emit a toxin that is toxic to other anemones. I had a BTA and a carpet in the same tank, while the carpet grew from a size of a quarter to the size a a large bowl, the BTA started to move around and deflated and looks sickly. The BTA shrunk to the size of a AAA sized battery, but the Carpet kept growing.
You said you have had the anemone for a year, doing well, until the last couple of months. So I am thinking your lighting was good and you were feeding every so often, I feed my carpet about twice a week, a pencil diameter size of shrimp.
Here is a good article on sea Anemones, Hopes this helps.
https://forfishlovers.com/anemone-moving/

Hi, I don’t have any other anemones in the tank. I also don’t directly feed the anemone and it just filter feeds from the mysis.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

@Reefingthebestong It could be a variety of issues as others have stated. BTA type nems are bullet proof once established and if things go down hill something is wrong. Nutrient issues seem to be a major factor when I notice mine are not up to par. It could very well be there are too many organisms (algae, bacteria, coral,etc.) that are consuming and competing for all the nutrients in the water for the nem to do well. Nems love dirty water so too much nutrients is most likely not the issue. Water quality (in terms of elements) IMO is less of an issue unless something is off with temp, pH, or salinity. It could also be your lights are not strong enough or not on long enough for it get energy from photosynthesis. it could also be something in your tank is leaching something out like a bust magnetic scraper, exposed wire, or electrical current. Best thing to do is start eliminating the possibilities.

 

[Reefingthebestong]

@Reefingthebestong It could be a variety of issues as others have stated. BTA type nems are bullet proof once established and if things go down hill something is wrong. Nutrient issues seem to be a major factor when I notice mine are not up to par. It could very well be there are too many organisms (algae, bacteria, coral,etc.) that are consuming and competing for all the nutrients in the water for the nem to do well. Nems love dirty water so too much nutrients is most likely not the issue. Water quality (in terms of elements) IMO is less of an issue unless something is off with temp, pH, or salinity. It could also be your lights are not strong enough or not on long enough for it get energy from photosynthesis. it could also be something in your tank is leaching something out like a bust magnetic scraper, exposed wire, or electrical current. Best thing to do is start eliminating the possibilities.

Hi, Do you think aiptasia could be the cause of this? I have had a recent aiptasia outbreak, and on its rock there are some aiptasias. Does this prevent it from opening?

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

Hi, Do you think aiptasia could be the cause of this? I have had a recent aiptasia outbreak, and on its rock there are some aiptasias. Does this prevent it from opening?

No. Nems are mobile so if they’re being stung they’ll move. Unless there is a massive infestation, which I don’t see in your pics.

 

[tzabor10]

You should be direct feeding the anemone twice a week