Need help with my anemone

[pewterpower1981]

Hey guys

I'm new to reefing and new to the forum as well. I am having an issue with my rose bubble tip anemone. He doesn't extend his tentacles out very far and moves around a lot too.... worried something may be wrong wit him

 

[bios]

Palytoa near it .....

 

[GatorGuys]

One of the cool things about nems is that they can move around... one of the bad things about nems is they can move around...

That said, it is not unusual for a newly added nem (especially bubble-tips) to move about the tank in search of the best home. They are checking out the lighting, flow, temperature, scenery, etc. I found that as long as the nem is not harming itself or other corals, it is best to let it do its thing until it settles down.

 

[pewterpower1981]

I was more worried about its tentacles not inflating for a couple weeks now

 

[pewterpower1981]

He's been in the tank about 2 months

 

[GatorGuys]

If it is still moving around, it may not fully inflate. They might not inflate if something nearby is irritating it. Also, some bubble-tips decide they no longer want to 'bubble' and end up more long and stringy. They may still be healthy - just not the same shape you may have seen in the local fish store.

A lot of reputable Anemone experts (which I am not - maybe one or two will chime in here) will tell you a better way to determine the health of the critter is to keep an eye on the mouth. They expel waste through the mouth - so it will open periodically through the day - but if it stays open for days on end, the nem is not happy. If however, the mouth is closed most of the time, then chances are the nem is doing fine.

Again, a nem will inflate / deflate throughout the day - and it will move around to find the 'perfect-spot'. Let it do its thing. I would not get worried unless the mouth hangs open for a long time.

 

[themcnertney]

Nems shouldn't move. I'd guess your water is a bit off?

We need some tank history...Lighting? Size? Temp? Salinity? How long has it been running? What are your water parameters?

 

[pewterpower1981]

It's a 45 gal kept at 78 or 79 degrees, I have a AI Prime HD light.... The water is good.... phosphates are a tiny bit high but nothing crazy.