Long Tentacle Anemone acclimation

Gobi-Wan · Jul 12, 2022

Hello all, a couple days ago i added a LTA to my display because my clowns started bothering my frogspawn. I set the lights to do a 7 day acclimation starting at 65% yesterday. The anemone planted its foot to the bottom glass pretty quickly and has stayed in the same spot, but during the day it's tentacles curl somewhat and today i noticed a few small sections of tentacles were shrunken. I've had BTAs in the past that would wring themselves out from time to time particularly after a water change, but usually the whole anemone at once. Is this normal or something i should be attending to? I'm assuming the curling is in reaction to the lighting since at night it relaxes fully with limp flowy tentacles. Should i lower the acclimation starting point?

wculver · Jul 12, 2022

Gobi-Wan said:
Hello all, a couple days ago i added a LTA to my display because my clowns started bothering my frogspawn. I set the lights to do a 7 day acclimation starting at 65% yesterday. The anemone planted its foot to the bottom glass pretty quickly and has stayed in the same spot, but during the day it's tentacles curl somewhat and today i noticed a few small sections of tentacles were shrunken. I've had BTAs in the past that would wring themselves out from time to time particularly after a water change, but usually the whole anemone at once. Is this normal or something i should be attending to? I'm assuming the curling is in reaction to the lighting since at night it relaxes fully with limp flowy tentacles. Should i lower the acclimation starting point?

The thing with anemones is that they can get comfortable by moving themselves to a place that has good light. If he's settled to the bottom of the tank it really probably just needs some time. If there is a problem it is unlikely to be light related.

What I didn't see was anything about the water chemistry. Assuming this tank is cycled, make sure the Nitrates and Phosphates are in range. I would suggest also using the Red Sea tests to ensure they are accurate. I've been wildly misguided by the Salifert tests for both in the past leading to negative effects similar to what you describe here.

Gobi-Wan · Jul 12, 2022

wculver said:
The thing with anemones is that they can get comfortable by moving themselves to a place that has good light. If he's settled to the bottom of the tank it really probably just needs some time. If there is a problem it is unlikely to be light related.

What I didn't see was anything about the water chemistry. Assuming this tank is cycled, make sure the Nitrates and Phosphates are in range. I would suggest also using the Red Sea tests to ensure they are accurate. I've been wildly misguided by the Salifert tests for both in the past leading to negative effects similar to what you describe here.

Thank you. The tank is 4 years old and phosphates are fairly steady at .08 to .11 (hanna ULR) nitrates steady around 20 (salifert but i dont test nitrates as often as phosphate) corals have been happy without any signs of chemistry problems though i don't have anything real picky.

old salt reefer · Jul 13, 2022

Looks bleached, I'd feed it, something meaty(Rod's food,LRS) about 1/2 inch around couple to 3 times a week. Mine on the left, had it for 2 years, eats 2 to 3 times a week.

Gobi-Wan · Jul 20, 2022

tnw50cal said:
Looks bleached, I'd feed it, something meaty(Rod's food,LRS) about 1/2 inch around couple to 3 times a week. Mine on the left, had it for 2 years, eats 2 to 3 times a week.

It is beginning to turn flesh-colored whereas it was almost completely transparent or white when I first got it. I assume that's good and I have the same variety as you which will turn dark pink or purple? I have fed it a few times, just large chunks out of the LRS i usually feed the fish.

old salt reefer · Jul 22, 2022

Gobi-Wan said:
It is beginning to turn flesh-colored whereas it was almost completely transparent or white when I first got it. I assume that's good and I have the same variety as you which will turn dark pink or purple? I have fed it a few times, just large chunks out of the LRS i usually feed the fish.

I like everything you said. Nem is looking much better. Keep doing what your doing.
PS I feed mine LRS too.

Gobi-Wan · Jul 23, 2022

tnw50cal said:
I like everything you said. Nem is looking much better. Keep doing what your doing.
PS I feed mine LRS too.

Yes it is expanding a lot more now and looking happier and gaining color. Hopefully the clownfish will find it eventually… they were hosted in BTAs for several years but right now they are still bothering my frogspawn.