BTA after shipping

AquaAngel · Oct 3, 2013

I had to BTAs come to my house today; first time I had something live shipped in, except for hermits and snails. One nem isn't looking too good. Very shrunken and gapping gross mouth.

They were put in the tank and the good stayed put and bubbled up nicely.

The bad one showed a slight bit of enlarging and started to move along the rock. Still with the gapping mouth. Color wasn't bad.

Is some of this expected after shipping?

What sorts of things can I do to help it?

Thanks!

cromag27 · Oct 4, 2013

Yes. They get really stressed out during shipping.

Reeferella · Oct 4, 2013

Some anemones ship better than others. The best thing you can do is provide appropriate water chemistry, avoid blasting it with too much light too quickly, and create a medium to brisk multidirectional flow. More than anything, it's the flow that's going to get him to close his mouth and take in fresh water. Keep him safe- as in out of the powerhead while he searches for a spot to attach his foot. At this point, don't worry about feeding either of them. Let them get settled in first and even then, feed sparingly. Good luck! I really hope they both do well for you.

AquaAngel · Oct 4, 2013

The one I'm worried about moved under shelf hanging upside down. I can't really see how his mouth is doing. I'll keep slowing increasing the flow in the tank.

I will have a totally different casualty in this. My starry blenny went head first into the pump (MP40), thinking it was still off. It was off while the nems got hitched, then I put it on its lowest setting. I heard the gears grinding. I feel awful for him; so sad. He hasn't passed yet but I have very little hope.

Reeferella · Oct 4, 2013

The good news is that crawling beneath an overhang and hanging upside down is a normal instinctive anemone behavior. The bad news is that this behavior typically occurs when the anemone is struggling to survive. Please do consider whether or not your lighting is too strong. In my experience, a struggling and acclimating anemone prefers to struggle and acclimate in dimmer lighting. Who knows how long some of these nems have been in the darkness of shipping containers. You can always acclimate the nem back to stronger lighting after he perks up.

And I'm sorry to hear about your Starry Blenny. Each blenny has such a unique personality- it's never an easy loss. My fingers are crossed for him and the nem.

AquaAngel · Oct 4, 2013

Thanks. I'll look at dimming my lights. I run 2 Radions gen2 over my 90g at about 60%max. I can probably do half that without hurting much else in the tank.

AquaAngel · Oct 5, 2013

I removed it this morning, tearing down a lot of my tank to get. I don't think I even had a chance with this one. Lasted 48 hours with me.

Dying right?

ImageUploadedByReef2Reef Aquarium Forum1380985667.869447.jpg

cromag27 · Oct 5, 2013

Yup, on its way out. Although, I have brought back nems before that looked like yours. Odds aren't good though.

Reeferella · Oct 5, 2013

It doesn't look good but it was not to the point of requiring removal just yet- IMO. I don't see tissue demise. It's foot is still attached. I would have left it alone but again, that's just my opinion.

AquaAngel · Oct 5, 2013

The white stringy-ness and the cottage cheese puffs aren't it totally dying?

Rob&Gab · Oct 5, 2013

Reeferella said:
It doesn't look good but it was not to the point of requiring removal just yet- IMO. I don't see tissue demise. It's foot is still attached. I would have left it alone but again, that's just my opinion.

cause it will mess up the water slowly dying. one of my bta's just did that a few days ago. its foot was stuck till there was nothing left. and i hadd to grabb it.

i wouldnt take a chance with it. i no its your BTA but im just giving advice. dont listen or listen up to you. Hope everything works out.