Anemone 911

[bump3rb33tl3]

Hi All!

So Ive had Pete (my bta) in my 42gl reef only aquarium for over a year now. He goes through migration phases where he takes a tour of the real estate, but always returns to his home.

During my afternoon check of the tank all was well and he was in his usual spot anchored under the out-cropping. I just glanced over at my tank and saw him out and with a huge discoloration. When I got a closer look, I noticed that there were anemone bits stuck to the heater and his flesh appeared white, black, and other wise burned. I surmise that his stroll took him onto the heater while it was actually cycling on and he was burned.

I just took down my hospital and qt tanks as we are painting in that room so I have ho where to immediately move him, but there are no fish in the tank, only softies (spawns, torches, zoas, xenia, shrooms, a sea fan, and some gsp). Will he survive? Can I treat with something, if so then what? At what point do I know he is a goner and to get him out of the tank before he poisons it? He is closing up more and more....

 

[Leslie Tabor]

This is so sad! Hopefully you will get some good advice. I wish I could help! Good luck with Pete!

 

[bump3rb33tl3]

This is so sad! Hopefully you will get some good advice. I wish I could help! Good luck with Pete!

I know...Im very concerned about him. He is my favorite and has more personality than any other inhabitant, fish or not, that I have.

 

[Zoey]

Hows Pete doing? BTA are pretty hardy things, ive seen some go threw pumps and still survive.

 

[domination2580]

I would just keep an eye on him. They are pretty hardy, perfect water conditions and food it should recover. I like to use kent c for any type of flesh wound. It seems to have helped with me. Its supposed to help heal the flesh and speed up the process. Especially with propogation

 

[Trex]

Just give it time. E. quadricolors naturally split, so this sort of damage shouldn't be life threatening -- as long as your parameters stay in check.

However, do you have a sump? Would find a new place for that heater, is possible.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

"However, do you have a sump? Would find a new place for that heater, is possible."

I second this idea! Glad to see he should recover though!

 

[bump3rb33tl3]

Just give it time. E. quadricolors naturally split, so this sort of damage shouldn't be life threatening -- as long as your parameters stay in check.

However, do you have a sump? Would find a new place for that heater, is possible.

Unfortunately the stand is too small and narrow for a sump on this tank. It has been on a canister since its inception. Bi-weekly cleanings and water changes have helped keep all parameters in check. Im hoping to upgrade soon and once I do and get it on a sump all unnecessaries will be out of the tank.

Today he has been trying to get to the power head....cant help but think he has a death wish. Now I gotta go track down an old pair of hose to put over it to keep him from getting chopped up...

 

[bump3rb33tl3]

Just thought I'd update....Pete is doing well. His damaged area is gone and he has started the regrowth process. You can see in the pics small tenticles beginning to grow...they are only about 1/4" long and actually look to have a irredescent green base which I think is weird because he isnt a sunburst nem...just a rbta