New nem shrinking

[Mattg023]

Hi guys,

Got a black widow anemone around a month ago. For the first couple weeks it was open big and happy. Now for the past week or so it has Been much smaller. His mouth is closed and he accepted a tiny piece of scallop yesterday. All parameters are all good. Nitrates around 10. Alk around 8.5. Could it be a lighting issue? He hasn’t moved once. In fact he’s stayed at the crevice I originally placed him.

 

[Mattg023]

Bump

 

[Mattg023]

^

 

[Mattg023]

This is how it looks every day now... small, deflated, short tentacles. does somebody have any advice?

 

[Mattg023]

Anyone? It's been closing up early as well. Just not sure what to do.

 

[iamacat]

Have you fed other than that one time? What’s the age of your tank?
What are your parameters other than good?
Do you dose trace elements?

 

[Mattg023]

Have you fed other than that one time? What’s the age of your tank?
What are your parameters other than good?
Do you dose trace elements?

I’ve fed around once a week. Small pieces of scallop. After not feeding the first week. Tank is 7 months old. Parameters are stable. 0 ammonia/nitrite. ~10 ppm nitrate, alk 8.5. I only dose alkalinity. As my weekly water changes keep my calcium high enough.

 

[iamacat]

Salinity, temp? Any significant parameter swings or large water changes? Any recent death or signs of stress in the tank?

water changes will help with depletion of some elements, but your corals and other inhabitants may be taking away the required trace element for your nem. Just a thought, I am wondering about my other questions tho

 

[Mattg023]

Salinity, temp? Any significant parameter swings or large water changes? Any recent death or signs of stress in the tank?

water changes will help with depletion of some elements, but your corals and other inhabitants may be taking away the required trace element for your nem. Just a thought, I am wondering about my other questions tho

Salinity and temp stable. 1.025 and 78 degrees. No swings in anything... no recent death. Corals are doing well...

 

[iamacat]

Are there any signs of damage? Can you see the foot or mouth? Also what salt do you use?

nems can be funky. Just trying to probe for something to stand out

 

[Mattg023]

Are there any signs of damage? Can you see the foot or mouth? Also what salt do you use?

nems can be funky. Just trying to probe for something to stand out

It’s killing me because it physically looks healthy. Vibrant color still, mouth is closed. No damage, I can see the foot. I use reef crystals

 

[iamacat]

I’m no nem expert and they make me nervous. I’ve lost more than I’ve kept. Hoping maybe the questions I asked will get enough answers for someone to chime in

 

[Mattg023]

I’m no nem expert and they make me nervous. I’ve lost more than I’ve kept. Hoping maybe the questions I asked will get enough answers for someone to chime in

Thank you! I appreciate your responses!

 

[Cell]

It doesn't look that bad. Best you can do is just keep things stable and don't stress over it. Nothing is going to happen super fast with it.

 

[Tiger Brown]

Nems are weird, I will say 7 months is a new tank in my opinion. You could try to target feed reef roids or another powder food and see if it closes up into a ball meaning it is eating. Its possible it’s not getting the sustenance it needs otherwise. Also nems will typically move If flow or light isn’t good but if it keeps wasting I would move the live rock it is in higher for more light or change in flow. Shouldn’t hurt, might help.