Carpet issues

rayn · Jan 13, 2016

I have a small carpet nem. I got him almost a year ago and it was around 6". Shortly after we moved and he was moved tank to tank, house to house, always in with decent light and well used rock...to say the rock was over a couple years in a tank of some sort.

Moved to the new house and got him situated in a grow out tank as I wanted him bigger before I moved to the main tank and clowns started trying to be hosted. I placed him at the base of some rock in sand. He moved. Onto the rock, but stayed put. Okay. Then he moved around to the other side of the rock, but stayed put again.

Last night I found him just floating about. Tonight I found him nestled back onto the sand no where near a rock.

20 long tank, hob filter, heater, small powerhead...when he is put, hydra 26hd for light, nothing else but rock in the tank.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 13, 2016

Do you feed him?

rayn · Jan 13, 2016

I have. Not often, but I have. It sticks to the tentacles and he brings it into his mouth when I do.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 13, 2016

Its carnivorous. On thought would be its not getting enough solid food so is moving like a nem does in flow and light.
Weird I'm learning how to negotiate with brainless animals.
I guess my wife relates though.

rayn · Jan 13, 2016

I was under the impression theh can get a majority of their food from light and maybe supplemental feelings. Feed to grow, but otherwise let the light feed it. Maybe I need to feed it more.

Taylor t · Jan 13, 2016

Picture?

rayn · Jan 13, 2016

I hate my pics, they just never show quite right. But here he is.

Just so everyone knows, the mouth is shut tight too.

KorD · Jan 13, 2016

I'm guessing it is just trying to find it's happy place..
My BTA just decided to take a walk yesterday, I also found out my tank raised temps by 6 degrees and he must have gotten mad. He found himself a new space to live with is a good thing... it leave room in my tank for another nem now

Taylor t · Jan 13, 2016

More tank info needed. Full tank shot would give a better idea of what it's up against. Not sure about flow, but haddoni like low flow. Looks like that's covered, maybe too little. That light fixture will not be enough for it to thrive, IMO. Keep alive for a while, sure. Thrive, not in my opinion, but I have no experience with that fixture. Just looks way too weak from the specs, and from the pic. Tank maintenance and water perams?... just a few details left out to give helpful advice. A 20 gallon tank is pretty small for a carpet. Do-able yes, recommended, no. They also like atleast 4" of sand. They usually only let go if the water isn't up to their liking. Otherwise, if the water is good, and they don't like flow or light, they typically walk instead of float, but this is just what I've observed, not written rule. Maybe someone else has some insight. Good luck.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 14, 2016

Yea i gotta agree with flow. Its a smaller rock nem so im pretty sure thats am indicto of shallower and more tublent water in the wild.
iv seen a few really happy ones and they preferred a more direct but turbulent flow. Lie pressing them up on a wall or down at the bottom of the flow. But keep it turb.
as far as light. .. it can easily take higher light.
i dont know whatbyous puts out. If you had a lux meter or par, I could tell you ifnits ok to good.
in my reading. And understanding. Corals are generally more tolerant and adaptable to lower light than poor flow. it may not flourish and the colors will be diffrent but itll live. And i bet if you feed itnitll make babies..my .02