Anemone trouble

[Soph-1689]

Hey guys I’m new to this and I’ve been looking online for a hours it seems like at this point trying to find out what could be wrong with my Sebae anemone. I had just bought him two days ago and he’s shriveled up more and I moved tanks for him because the other was too small for him I’ve checked for ammonia and nitrate those were a little high so I did a water change, plus I tried to feed him today but it didn’t look like he was eating. I don’t know if he’s going to die soon or possibly live. Thank you if you can help and know some info about my friend.

 

[Dom]

In my opinion, any ammonia above ZERO is high. It is an indicator that you have not completely cycled your tank. If you test for NITRITES, I'd be willing to bet you find some level of that too.

I get the impression you are new to the hobby. So I am going to suggest that you SLOW DOWN and completely STOP adding anything to your tank until we get things under control.

There are some things we need to know:

1. How many days has the tank been running?
2. What are your Salinity, Alkalinity, pH, Ammonia, Nitrite and temperature numbers?
3. What kind of lighting do you have installed?
4. How big is your tank?
5. Do you operate a sump or is it a hang-on-back filter?
6. Do you run power heads to increase flow?
7. What other equipment do you have supporting your tank?
8. Provide a complete list of all inhabitants in your tank.

It is common for Anemones to shrink as lights ramp down and inflate as they ramp up. This wringing out and re-inflating is how they excrete waste.

Don't try feeding it yet. It sounds unhappy at the moment.

Remember: A reef aquarium isn't something that can be set up impulsively. You don't pull it out of a box, plug it in and enjoy. They need to be nurtured and cultivated. They are like a garden; they have to be allowed to grow with time and become the magnificent display you imagine it in your mind's eye.

Please provide a few FULL TANK pictures so we can see what you have.

 

[dank reefer]

First and foremost - Welcome to R2R!

If you can take a pic with more natural light (Whites) we will be able to see the critter better.
How long has the tank been up and running? Looks new by what I can tell in the pics.
Also post your tank parameters so that we can see what your working with.
High Ammonia is not a good thing to start with.

 

[Soph-1689]

In my opinion, any ammonia above ZERO is high. It is an indicator that you have not completely cycled your tank. If you test for NITRITES, I'd be willing to bet you find some level of that too.

I get the impression you are new to the hobby. So I am going to suggest that you SLOW DOWN and completely STOP adding anything to your tank until we get things under control.

There are some things we need to know:

1. How many days has the tank been running?
2. What are your Salinity, Alkalinity, pH, Ammonia, Nitrite and temperature numbers?
3. What kind of lighting do you have installed?
4. How big is your tank?
5. Do you operate a sump or is it a hang-on-back filter?
6. Do you run power heads to increase flow?
7. What other equipment do you have supporting your tank?
8. Provide a complete list of all inhabitants in your tank.

It is common for Anemones to shrink as lights ramp down and inflate as they ramp up. This wringing out and re-inflating is how they excrete waste.

Don't try feeding it yet. It sounds unhappy at the moment.

Remember: A reef aquarium isn't something that can be set up impulsively. You don't pull it out of a box, plug it in and enjoy. They need to be nurtured and cultivated. They are like a garden; they have to be allowed to grow with time and become the magnificent display you imagine it in your mind's eye.

Please provide a few FULL TANK pictures so we can see what you have.

Thank you. I’m not sure about the any of that stuff because I didn’t test it today I tested it yesterday but the temp is 77° and the ammonia it was .30 which is high nitrates were high as well so I did a water change yesterday and one today only because I had to clean algae off of the same and walls. My tank is a 13.5g fluval all in one tank and I have had this tank running for a few months I would say from around January to now along with another tank which is doing fine. You were correct though I am a new at this

 

[Soph-1689]

this is him today

 

[Dom]

Thank you. I’m not sure about the any of that stuff because I didn’t test it today I tested it yesterday but the temp is 77° and the ammonia it was .30 which is high nitrates were high as well so I did a water change yesterday and one today only because I had to clean algae off of the same and walls. My tank is a 13.5g fluval all in one tank and I have had this tank running for a few months I would say from around January to now along with another tank which is doing fine. You were correct though I am a new at this

OK... cool.

You need to do a complete battery of tests and post the results. We will go from there.

 

[Dom]

this is him today

I'm lost. It looks healthy to me!

What is that in the lower left corner of the frame?

 

[Soph-1689]

I'm lost. It looks healthy to me!

What is that in the lower left corner of the frame?

That was some food I had given it and he seems to be doing MUCH better now thank you for your help. His tentacles were pretty stringy and he looked a little brown, but I think he’s looking great now. Day and night difference the dude gave me a heart attack! I thought for sure he was gonna be dying. Again thank you for all of your help

 

[Dom]

Nems do that... deflate at night to excrete waste.

 

[rhdoug]

You do not need to give him food that is that big. Small (pea sized) pieces are better to start with.
Anemones will change shape frequently, especially when they are new. Good luck wih it.