Anemones losing color during shipment.

Loki · Jun 20, 2012

I have recently ordered two anemones. One from a vender here and another from the divers den. I have noticed that each has lost quite a bit of red. They were both packed very well and shipped quickly. Is this normal for the color to change so drastically? I have brand new T5 bulbs on their tank. I also have another nem in there that is red. So I know the color is possible in the tank at the same level.

I'll post pictures of each before and after shipment.

Before

After two days in the tank and a feeding. This thing is very healthy.

Second nem

Before shipping

After. This one is also very healthy.

Does anyone else have experience with this? Any ETA on the color coming back?

I am not worried about the health of these guys. They are in great health. Just intrigued by the loss of the red from each.

wysiwyg · Jun 20, 2012

not sure what lighting the first guy uses but i do know liveaquaria uses 400w mh for there tanks and pics so lighting might be some of it

Loki · Jun 20, 2012

The first nem was under T5's as well. I also thought about that but figured it would not be this drastic.

I have talked with the vendor here and he said the colors were correct in the picture, and from ordering from divers den in the past I know their pictures are accurate as well.

ritter6788 · Jun 20, 2012

I just went through the same thing. Mine from DD looks VERY similar to yours, before and after. It colored up bright green with red tips and some yellow in between. It's crawled out of the direct light recently and looks more brown to me again.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/an...n/83412-rose-bubble-tip-anemone-not-so-2.html

SeahorseKeeper · Jun 20, 2012

It is common for anemones to expel the zooxanthallea during shipping even if the turnaround time is very short. The whole process of shipping an anemone stresses it out. This will cause some of the color variations.

Loki · Jun 22, 2012

Thanks Seahorse. Do you think they will color up in time, or will they stay this color?

SeahorseKeeper · Jun 22, 2012

Loki2902 said:
Thanks Seahorse. Do you think they will color up in time, or will they stay this color?

They should color up in time. The key is just keeping in the proper lighting, good water quality and feeding properly. I have had good results with feeding scallops (tiny pieces), shrimp, or clams. I do not recommend feeding an anemone silversides. I have heard too many horror stories about anemones dying after eating them.

Loki · Jun 22, 2012

I have been feeding coral smoothie (the same people that make oyster feast) every other day. I am curious to see what you think about my lighting. I have a two bulb fixture. I am running 24w brand new (two weeks) bulbs. They are in a temporary 5 gallon tank (daily water changes) until I am able to either prove there will be no copper in my other tank or get a new one.

The tank is 11 inches deep and 18 inches long. The fixture is 24" long so it hangs off each side. I have a actinic + and a aquablue+. Each of these are giesemann bulbs. The best I can tell these are very similar to ATI's.

Loki · Jun 22, 2012

I went this route because I read they need intense light but have recently read that rose BTA need A lower amount of light than other BTAs.

SeahorseKeeper · Jun 23, 2012

The lighting seems adequate. The geismann bulbs have pretty good par readings and your tank is shallow.

I would cut back the feedings to twice weekly. I am not an advocate of frequent feedings for nems. Once the zooxanthallae is replenished, I would feed them one-two times a month (if ever). I should have been more specific about this in my previous post.

Steelerfan747 · Jun 23, 2012

I really hope they regain their color. Please keep us posted

Loki · Jun 23, 2012

Thank you. I'll drop the feedings back. Today I think they have lost a little more color. It's hard to tell when I see them everyday.

Loki · Jul 7, 2012

The colors continued to fade. Hopefully they will color up before to long.

uall8up · Jul 7, 2012

Patience Grasshopper!!! LOL I see the BTAs that come into our lfs and it can take weeks/months for them to totally regain color. I bought mine several weeks ago and it is just now starting to get a slight green tint. Just take good care of it and it will do the rest.

Loki · Jul 7, 2012

I know I know. I was just updating the thread.

ritter6788 · Jul 7, 2012

I moved mine to the prop tank while I've been rearranging tanks and such. It moved into the back corner with almost no light. I saw it poke out today and it's as brown as can be.