Anemone not eating

PrideRock · Oct 26, 2018

My anemone hasn’t been eating for about two weeks now. Still looks healthy to me it’s moved a few times but not to concern about that since they like to have a mind of its own. I’m just curious as to why it hasn’t been eating. I’ve tried feeding it but the tentacles don’t grab on to the food anymore. I only test nitrates tank is only two months old. Any ideas?

LatinKing · Oct 26, 2018

I have never fed any of my anemones for years. Think out it who feeds the anemone in the ocean?

flooddc · Oct 26, 2018

Agrees with above. No need to feed anemones.
Also, IMO, your tank is too new to support anemone. Not saying that it's not doable, but anemone do well in a matured tank.
What is that 2 white things in the center of the anemone?

PrideRock · Oct 26, 2018

@flooddc yeah I know my tank is too new. At first I thought I needed one so many clowns would be safe from the two damsels I have since they are known to bully other fish.
That it’s mouth. It’s showing that its hungry right?

Davy Jones · Oct 26, 2018

This looks like a h.mag anemone, the white is its mouth and its extended because it is very stressed, not because it is hungry.

This anemone needs special care and very intense lighting. A 2 month old tank will likely not be stable enough for the creature. I Urge you to consider bringing it back to your local fish store or better yet letting an experienced hobbiest in your local area take the nem. I am all for learning things, but recommend a standard Bubble tip anemone or even a rock flower anemone to learn to care for before attempting a mag which are notorious for being difficult.

Not to mention, you should be testing Salinity, Alk, Cal, Mag, Nitrates, Phosphates and temperature. Nitrates alone are not enough. And a young tank like this also ammonia.

Im also not trying to sound harsh, as ive been where you are now. I sincerely hope your anemone makes it!

flooddc · Oct 26, 2018

This^^^
yup, if that it's mouth. then it's not look good. I hope it pull through. I had many variation of BTA but not mag. as they required expert care. From what I read, if it stress out like that, it will need to be on Antibiotic asap for survival. Best wish and hope it make it.

Captain Quint · Oct 26, 2018

PrideRock said:
@flooddc yeah I know my tank is too new. At first I thought I needed one so many clowns would be safe from the two damsels I have since they are known to bully other fish.
That it’s mouth. It’s showing that its hungry right?

I'm not sure if you know but clowns are actually in the same family as damsels. I'm sure some members have damsels and clowns with little to no issues depending on the type of damsel or clowns in the tank.

Fishes size one another up and may possibly fight or may not with some of the reasons of proximity. (tank size allowing room or not enough room) Once territories are established and if they live with each other long enough, they may or may not be fine at which point you may ask which you would rather keep.

What size tank do you run?

I noticed the anemones mouth is protruding outward which is not a sign of it being hungry but that it is not doing as well as it should be. As stated earlier it would be in its best interest to see if someone could care for it while you check or have all your parameters in the system you are running determined as to the conditions of the system being able to support an anemone. IME and IMHO I would not be keeping it at this stage.

A clown does not need an anemone to live nor does an anemone need a clown to live. I hope the best for your anemone and please keep us informed. Thanks.

PrideRock · Oct 26, 2018

Captain Quint said:
I'm not sure if you know but clowns are actually in the same family as damsels. I'm sure some members have damsels and clowns with little to no issues depending on the type of damsel or clowns in the tank.

Fishes size one another up and may possibly fight or may not with some of the reasons of proximity. (tank size allowing room or not enough room) Once territories are established and if they live with each other long enough, they may or may not be fine at which point you may ask which you would rather keep.

What size tank do you run?

I noticed the anemones mouth is protruding outward which is not a sign of it being hungry but that it is not doing as well as it should be. As stated earlier it would be in its best interest to see if someone could care for it while you check or have all your parameters in the system you are running determined as to the conditions of the system being able to support an anemone. IME and IMHO I would not be keeping it at this stage.

A clown does not need an anemone to live nor does an anemone need a clown to live. I hope the best for your anemone and please keep us informed. Thanks.

It’s the Red Sea reefer 170. So 34gallon and 43gallin including sump