Bubble Tip Anemone Dying?

[lauraw]

I have recently bought a new bubble tip anemone for my salt water tank. After testing my water and giving me the all clear the aquarium said I was ready for my first anemone.

He’s been in my tank now for a week and he’s moved around and settled right next to the pump. Overnight he’s gone from open and seemingly happy, to very tightly closed. He looks dead, but I’m not sure if he’s doing something else.

I’m very worried about him and upset in case I’ve done something wrong. My tank is 3 months old. This is now worrying me too. But the aquarium said it was fine.

 

[Tahoe61]

What type of lighting fixture are you using?
Are you testing your own water?
The tank does indeed look too young for an Anemone. How did you cycle the tank?
The Anemone is still very much alive.

If you could post some basic chemistry like ammonia, and specific gravity that would help.

Welcome to R2R. :)

 

[TX_REEF]

not dying, but not super happy. you need porous rocks for the anemone to find a foothold in and become comfortable. anemones will move when they are unsatisfied with lighting or flow. 3 months is probably too young to keep the nem happy in that tank, they thrive on stability.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

As other's have stated. Its not dying. Foot is strong and its clearly moving around. The moment you see its not latched to something. That's when you know its dying.

Can you confirm what light you have light? It may perhaps be searching for the best light exposure.

 

[lauraw]

not dying, but not super happy. you need porous rocks for the anemone to find a foothold in and become comfortable. anemones will move when they are unsatisfied with lighting or flow. 3 months is probably too young to keep the nem happy in that tank, they thrive on stability.

Ohh no would it be worth me returning him to the aquarium so he is happier and waiting for my tank to mature? He popped back out again after I sent this and seemed a bit happier. But I really don’t want him to die

 

[lauraw]

What type of lighting fixture are you using?
Are you testing your own water?
The tank does indeed look too young for an Anemone. How did you cycle the tank?
The Anemone is still very much alive.

If you could post some basic chemistry like ammonia, and specific gravity that would help.

Welcome to R2R. :)

Thank you! I have an overhanging LED 'banana lamp' that came with my nano 80 tank, and I turn it off at night. It has 3 settings, one of which is a blue light. Should I have a better light?

I’m taking my water in to test in the aquarium and they have said my levels are good now. The anemone has come out of his shell so to speak and my two clowns are very interested in him! But he’s still attached to the glass and hasn’t seen the rocks yet. Would you suggest I try and get some coral for him?

 

[lauraw]

As other's have stated. Its not dying. Foot is strong and its clearly moving around. The moment you see its not latched to something. That's when you know its dying.

Can you confirm what light you have light? It may perhaps be searching for the best light exposure.

I have the light that came with the tank which is a nano 80 and the light it an overhanging LED banana lamp, it has a day time white light setting and blue light for night. Perhaps that’s not strong enough? I moved him onto a rock today and he’s found a little cave to attach and seems a lot happier there!

 

[TX_REEF]

"LED banana lamp" unfortunately tells us nothing about how powerful the fixture is or the spectrum. Do you have photos? I am inclined to say it does not sound like an appropriate reef light.

 

[lauraw]

"LED banana lamp" unfortunately tells us nothing about how powerful the fixture is or the spectrum. Do you have photos? I am inclined to say it does not sound like an appropriate reef light.

Here you go hope these are helpful. You can see the anemone on the big white rock on the right of the tank. Thank you for your help!

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Here you go hope these are helpful. You can see the anemone on the big white rock on the right of the tank. Thank you for your help!

14W. Not enough light at all. You need to upgrade the light or rehome the anemone.

 

[TX_REEF]

14W. Not enough light at all. You need to upgrade the light or rehome the anemone.

agreed

This is one of the best budget options I can recommend for a smaller tank: https://noopsychereeflight.com/prod...K3iSdGOki7Z-RizkLFI-kqAT9fqsCyIwLsFTcDNaiinQa

 

[lauraw]

agreed

This is one of the best budget options I can recommend for a smaller tank: https://noopsychereeflight.com/prod...K3iSdGOki7Z-RizkLFI-kqAT9fqsCyIwLsFTcDNaiinQa

Thank you guys!

 

[Uncle99]

Based on pic 4, if he comes apart, discard immediately.

When they go high in the tank, the light is to low in intensity.

 

[JayM]

Agree with a better light for sure, but also keep in mind that anemones can be the clownfish of inverts. They just do weird stuff sometimes for no apparent reason.

 

[exnisstech]

Any time a nem is wondering I take it as a sign it is not happy with the tank be it lighting water parameters or both. Personally I've never had bubble tip nems wander except when they got over crowded by other nems and they just moved over to another rock but I have never put them in immature tanks either. Anytime I see one up on the glass that is a bad sign IMO. The tank looks like it could use some more rock. Maybe try to find some live rock to help things along.

 

[JayM]

Any time a nem is wondering I take it as a sign it is not happy with the tank be it lighting water parameters or both. Personally I've never had bubble tip nems wander except when they got over crowded by other nems and they just moved over to another rock but I have never put them in immature tanks either. Anytime I see one up in the glass that is a bad sign IMO the tank looks like it could use some more rock. Maybe try to find some live rock help things along.

Mine wandered around for about a day or so looking for the perfect spot. Once it found a spot, it hasn't moved. Though I will say it never left the rockscape.