Long tentacle anemone not attaching.

[MysticBlue]

Hey guys so about three days ago I bought a very large LTA and it attached the first day I got it between the sand and the rock. Well today I woke up to it on the other side of the tank upside down!!! So I tried digging a hole and it refused to stay. So now it’s on top off the sand by the rock base but it’s still not attached. I’m not sure what to do at this point. I’ll add pics in a separate post.

 

[BilboLaggins]

Does it blow around with ur wave maker or is it actively looking for a spot maybe a picture would help with blue lights off most prefer.

 

[MysticBlue]

Does it blow around with ur wave maker or is it actively looking for a spot maybe a picture would help with blue lights off most prefer.

It blows around with the wave maker and it hasn’t moved from between the rocks and sand yet so I really don’t know.

 

[BilboLaggins]

If it is blowing around it most likely dying.

 

[i cant think]

Try attaching the anemone to the glass (Holding it onto the glass gently for 10 minutes). See if the anemone will attach its foot, if not then as above says, the anemone may be either dying or unhealthy.

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

Mine took several days to find a spot it liked before settling down. It would let go and float to a new spot. Try that out for a day or two then let go again. It did this a few times before it found the right light and flow or possibly where it's foot felt the most protected.

How deep is your sand? They like about 4 inches. Mine isn't that deep so I made a cave out of rocks with sand underneath and it really liked that.

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

If it is blowing around it most likely dying.

No its not. Anemones are very mobile while they try to find a place to settle in. If it was dying it would be exhibiting other symptoms such as bleaching, gaping mouth or a wound/tear.

 

[BilboLaggins]

No its not. Anemones are very mobile while they try to find a place to settle in. If it was dying it would be exhibiting other symptoms such as bleaching, gaping mouth or a wound/tear.

First step is usually it just giving up slowly little to no signs after it is for sure dying yeah will show all sort of signs but as a first tell that is one of them. I'm not saying pull it out and throw it out just keep an eye on it till u know it is dead and u will know when it is.

 

[MysticBlue]

Last pic was when it was attached!!

 

[MysticBlue]

First step is usually it just giving up slowly little to no signs after it is for sure dying yeah will show all sort of signs but as a first tell that is one of them. I'm not saying pull it out and throw it out just keep an eye on it till u know it is dead and u will know when it is.

I mean I literally bought it three days ago and it’s been very healthy since soo

 

[BilboLaggins]

What were the tank parameters were u got it? Did u get it from ur lfs or online?

 

[BilboLaggins]

If there tank parameters are a different from urs it might do that till its adjusted to ur water and then will try to find a spot. Usually acclimation gets them used to ur water.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Your title caught my eye as I have been having the same issue with my LTA. It's been in the tank for a couple of months just moving with the current. Usually would end up doing pirouettes in an area where the current swirls around. Still hosted clownfish, still ate and has gotten bigger. But as I took a closer look just now, I see that it has actually attached! FINALLY! So be patient but watchful.

 

[MysticBlue]

If there tank parameters are a different from urs it might do that till its adjusted to ur water and then will try to find a spot. Usually acclimation gets them used to ur water.

I don’t know the parameters of the lfs but it’s been really healthy!! Im wondering if I should glue it lol!!

 

[BilboLaggins]

Don't glue it. As another said gently put it against the glass and see it the foot will take hold.

 

[Cell]

Get a small pvc segment open on both ends, dig it into the sand until it reaches the bottom and clear out the middle so its just bare glass and minimal sand. Place the LTA in the middle, once it attaches, gently pull the pvc up and let the sand surround the foot.

 

[Blue Cheese]

mine likes rocks on three sides of it built like a cave it can slip into if that helps

 

[bestfishes]

I've kept anemones for over 30 years and have had my current carpet for 20+ years. Its not uncommon for an anemone to take days to find a happy place when introduced to a system. My carpet moved around for weeks before it finally settled. Maybe its the photo but that anemone looks a bit bleached out. I highly recommend avoiding white LTAs and seabaes. They have likely expelled much of their zoozooanthele, and it means they are not in peak condition. Its not necessarily a sign they are going to die, just not a good way to start and might be a contributing factor to its unhappiness. I assume your water quality, temp and lighting is on point. I think we do far too much to intervene and make the process take longer when we move them around, dig holes etc. Only intervene if they are going to get sucked into pumps, drains etc, or remain flopped upside down. Be sure you have your powerheads covered with foam. Set the flow rate a bit lower and dont mess with it because that and the power of the lighting are two major factors in where an anemone decides to settle. For whatever reason, mine always settle under the power heads. Wishing you good luck, hope all goes well.

 

[FurrierTransform]

Perhaps it's looking for higher light intensity?

 

[MysticBlue]

I've kept anemones for over 30 years and have had my current carpet for 20+ years. Its not uncommon for an anemone to take days to find a happy place when introduced to a system. My carpet moved around for weeks before it finally settled. Maybe its the photo but that anemone looks a bit bleached out. I highly recommend avoiding white LTAs and seabaes. They have likely expelled much of their zoozooanthele, and it means they are not in peak condition. Its not necessarily a sign they are going to die, just not a good way to start and might be a contributing factor to its unhappiness. I assume your water quality, temp and lighting is on point. I think we do far too much to intervene and make the process take longer when we move them around, dig holes etc. Only intervene if they are going to get sucked into pumps, drains etc, or remain flopped upside down. Be sure you have your powerheads covered with foam. Set the flow rate a bit lower and dont mess with it because that and the power of the lighting are two major factors in where an anemone decides to settle. For whatever reason, mine always settle under the power heads. Wishing you good luck, hope all goes well.

It’s probably just the pic it’s a very healthy specimen with lots of greenish coloration!! I don’t think it’s bleached out any and it seems to be over all healthy other than it’s not sticking. Which at this point is starting to tick me off because it’s already stung several of my other coral from drifting around the tank!!!! My parameters seem to be ok magnesium is 1,500 my calcium is 480 and my alkalinity is 9.3 temp is 78 salinity is 1.025 phosphate is .08 and the lighting is just vireapectra lights so I don’t think they have enough power to bleach this anemone.