Flame Bubble Tip Anemone shrinks

[merfury1989]

My lights are Aqua Illumination Prime 16 HD REEF.
Lights are set at 3hr Ramp, and 5hr full. Total 11hr

My BTA shrinks when the 11th hour starts (last hour of ramp time).

I attached pictures of the BTA's normal look and what it does at the last hour of light.

Is this normal?

 

[Ron Reefman]

There is almost nothing an anemone does that I consider 'normal'. Their behavior can vary all over the park and change at any point in time. Yours may do this for a day or two, or for a month or two. As long as it's opening up and looking OK every day, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Reefscape20g]

I would keep a close eye on my water parameters... your anemone is showing signs of stress, which is completely normal in the first week(s), but it is crucial that your parameters aren't increasing this. Especially alkalinity must be kept stable

 

[srobertb]

Hard to say. This is a pretty common occurence for anemones to deflate or shrink near end of light cycle or right after lights are off. Mine used to but most do not any more. As others have stated- anemones are weird.

I’d keep am eye on Ph. You Ph will be highest right around the time it’s shrinking I bet and then drop rapidly right after lights out. I’m not saying that’s the problem, but it is something to think about and check.

Not what you want to hear but that anemone definitely would like some more light. It’s obvious due to the trumpeted shape of its foot.

 

[merfury1989]

My Alk is around 8.6-8.7
PH is 7.95

 

[srobertb]

My Alk is around 8.6-8.7
PH is 7.95

Those aren’t bad numbers. The thing with this hobby is that most times it’s not “what are my numbers this minute” it’s “what kind of swings am I seeing over 24 hours?” A Ph around 8 is great but not if it’s swinging from 7.2-8.2 in 12 hours.

 

[Jekyl]

Anemone do all sorts of weird things as noted above. As long as you have a mature tank, adequate lighting, don't use tap water, and keep parameters acceptable there's usually not much to worry about.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Those aren’t bad numbers. The thing with this hobby is that most times it’s not “what are my numbers this minute” it’s “what kind of swings am I seeing over 24 hours?” A Ph around 8 is great but not if it’s swinging from 7.2-8.2 in 12 hours.

IMHO, I think way to much is made over swings in alk and temp and such.

I have a 40g aio mostly sps tank and I does it manually. I have had occasion to raise alk from 6.5 to 9.0dKH in one dose. Some corals pull polyps in and in just a minute or two they are back out and I've seen absolutely no long term effects.

I'll agree stability is important, but really not critical.

 

[srobertb]

IMHO, I think way to much is made over swings in alk and temp and such.

I have a 40g aio mostly sps tank and I does it manually. I have had occasion to raise alk from 6.5 to 9.0dKH in one dose. Some corals pull polyps in and in just a minute or two they are back out and I've seen absolutely no long term effects.

I'll agree stability is important, but really not critical.

I’ve had bad things happen changing my Alk that much in a single shot. What works for one person will destroy another in this hobby. It’s both amazing and frustrating.

You are the first person I have ever heard say “Alk swings in 5 minutes of 3 pts don’t have much of an effect on my SPS” so I thank you for that anecdote.

 

[merfury1989]

Ok I introduced new coral frags in the tank, and the anemone tentacles has shrinked and became thin.
It also released he black thread like substance from its mouth. Is it due to the coral glue? I introduced 5 coral frags with seachem reef glue on them. Also noticed my Torches tentacles shrinked and became thin (also released black like substance). Is this an issue or I am just becoming paranoid.