Do bleached nems need food?

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Hitchiker BTA was doing well until about a week ago. Had a run-in (I suspect) with one of my emerald crabs, resulting in a torn foot.
Nem expelled for a few days, and is now bleached. The cut appears to be healed and its behavior has returned to normal.
Closed in the afternoon, but open in the evening, through night, and morning. The tentacles are pretty spindly as well now, but it did take a piece of mysis yesterday.
My questions are:
Since it has expelled its zooxanthele, it cannot photosynthesize, right?
Should I feed it more often to nurse it back to health?
Or move it higher in the tank for more PAR?
Still hosting the porcelain crab ok which, btw feasted on the expelled matter for a few days.
 
Hitchiker BTA was doing well until about a week ago. Had a run-in (I suspect) with one of my emerald crabs, resulting in a torn foot.
Nem expelled for a few days, and is now bleached. The cut appears to be healed and its behavior has returned to normal.
Closed in the afternoon, but open in the evening, through night, and morning. The tentacles are pretty spindly as well now, but it did take a piece of mysis yesterday.
My questions are:
Since it has expelled its zooxanthele, it cannot photosynthesize, right?
Should I feed it more often to nurse it back to health?
Or move it higher in the tank for more PAR?
Still hosting the porcelain crab ok which, btw feasted on the expelled matter for a few days.

I do not wan to be a debbie downer, but in my experience, when a nem has expelled it's zooxanthellae, it's a goner. Maybe someone else can offer something to try. But keep an eye on it, you don't wan it dead in your tank.
 
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Yeah, its been a rough go haha. Didn't plan on a nem in a new tank... I thought it was a gonner after the crab incident, but seems to be improving now.
I feel like if it can get the zoos repopulate, it may pull through.
 

HOW MUCH DOES A FISH’S FEEDING REQUIREMENTS AFFECT YOUR STOCKING DECISIONS?

  • A lot! - I avoid fish that require frequent or specialized feeding

    Votes: 12 28.6%
  • Quite a bit, but an automatic feeder can change my answer

    Votes: 6 14.3%
  • It depends on whether my nutrient export can handle it

    Votes: 6 14.3%
  • It depends on how badly I want the fish

    Votes: 10 23.8%
  • Not much. I’m willing to adjust my routine

    Votes: 9 21.4%
  • Not at all. Feeding demands don’t limit my stocking choices

    Votes: 8 19.0%
  • I usually learn about the demanding feeding schedule after buying the fish!

    Votes: 2 4.8%
  • I haven’t really considered this before

    Votes: 3 7.1%
  • Something else (see my comments in the thread)

    Votes: 1 2.4%
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