Anemone question...is this normal?

[Justin....#JAMAS]

Hey everyone, hey my RBT anemone was great this morning and even when i fed it ans the fish thus morninf, i get home this afternoon and he is like this.....his bubbles are still great looking but looks like he may be really really full?! Lol....hes healthy and been doing great....i feed him just a little tiny piece every other day and is growing liie crazy....but is this normal for him look like this? Hes now starting to open back up.....

Everyday he looks like this....

 

[Crabs McJones]

You're not missing any fish are you?

 

[Amoo]

Or snails

 

[davocean]

Not that it looks bad, but you are probably feeding it too much depending what you feed, and that can actually stress and induce a split

 

[Justin....#JAMAS]

Ha lol that was my first thought, but all fish are accounted for and cleaner shrimp isnt eaten so im guessing maybe hes just full? He looks incredibly happy just stuffed but wanted to make sure i wasnt missing anything

 

[Justin....#JAMAS]

Yeah all livestock is there....maybe ill just go to twice a week in feeding him maybe once a week...what are you guys's feeding schedule like with your nems?

 

[Justin....#JAMAS]

Im actually just really happy he finally found another good spot that he likes that hes staying at lol

 

[Justin....#JAMAS]

Also, just curious, is an anemone splitting a bad thing? Just was thinking that two is def better than one

 

[davocean]

Guess it depends on what you are shooting for, nem specific or one nem in a mixed reef...
I usually don't feed a new nem for a couple weeks new to tank unless it's bleached and needs help, but really I only spot feed once a month or maybe even a couple months, a small piece of scallop, and it may pick up at feedings.
Lately my clowns have been putting food into it, so now I feel no need to spot feed at all.
Really light is their main source, you could never spot feed at all and they would be fine

 

[Crabs McJones]

Also, just curious, is an anemone splitting a bad thing? Just was thinking that two is def better than one

It's debatable. Some will say an anemone splitting is a sign of stress and it's trying to increase its numbers for a better chance of survival. And others will say that it's happy so it wants to reproduce. I don't know that there is a universally agreed upon answer to that..

 

[davocean]

It's debatable. Some will say an anemone splitting is a sign of stress and it's trying to increase its numbers for a better chance of survival. And others will say that it's happy so it wants to reproduce. I don't know that there is a universally agreed upon answer to that..

I think most anemone keepers agree it's an animal that lives 50-100 years or maybe longer, and not having a lot of predation, so it should not need to reproduce very often.
Often constant splitting is seen as a sign it's conditions are not being met and it's cloning to survive, or some people intentionally induce splitting by stressing it.
So I guess it depends on what you are trying to achieve and how you look at it.

Often I see people w/ a brand new tank, or a tank that does not suit a nems needs, and they may claim constant splitting as a sign of success, when really most likely the animal is stressed and just trying to send out clones seeking better conditions

 

[Amoo]

There's actually a sticky about feeding at the top of this forum...

 

[Justin....#JAMAS]

Awesome, well thanks for all the point of views! My RBT has been in my tank for about 5 months now and when I added him , it was almost at the 1 year mark for my mixed reef...I used to just spot feed him maybe once a week if that and he was looking kinda sad and crappy looking....ever since I started giving him just little piece of reef frenzy that I use pre soaked in some phyto, he's been looking sooo much better and huge!! But it's very interesting they actually will split to send out clones to find better conditions! Amazing!

 

[Justin....#JAMAS]

Ok guys so I didn't feed today and noticed today he looks to be forming some kind of cacoon ?? I thought he was just pooping but I don't think he is..... help! Keeping a close eye!

 

[Taylor t]

Guess it depends on what you are shooting for, nem specific or one nem in a mixed reef...
I usually don't feed a new nem for a couple weeks new to tank unless it's bleached and needs help, but really I only spot feed once a month or maybe even a couple months, a small piece of scallop, and it may pick up at feedings.
Lately my clowns have been putting food into it, so now I feel no need to spot feed at all.
Really light is their main source, you could never spot feed at all and they would be fine

I agree. I think I’ve gone close to a year with no anemone feedings before. They do fine with no food if tank is stable and light and flow needs are met well.

 

[Taylor t]

Sure that guy is getting enough light?

 

[Justin....#JAMAS]

Oh yeah! 4 bulb HO t5 plus a coralife 2 bulb t5 and a orbit marine ic led and he's been extremely happy for a long while...Could too much light be the issue?

 

[Justin....#JAMAS]

Never seen him do this

 

[davocean]

It could be acclimating to new lights and new tank still.
Many wrap inside themselves, would not stress it, just keep an eye on it.

Is it just a funky looking rock or is anything growing on it?

 

[Amoo]

You've had this nem for 5 months. I can only assume it's been in approximately the same place for 5 months under the same lighting.

A few days ago it had swollen up like a basketball and looked odd. Today it's moved and fully retracted looking like garbage.

So rather then playing a game of easter egg, figure out what's changed. What's different about your tank today then 2 weeks ago?