New Hammer not opening

Gatling · Jan 10, 2019

Im sure im not the only (beginner) who's asked this question. I bought a small hammer yesterday and acclimated it well. The flow was too much for it initially so I turned off my powerhead for a day. It seems to be doing slightly better but it is still not as open as how it was in the store. Plus, I kind of see its skeleton at the base of some of the tentacles. Do I just need to give it more time?

The middle of the hammer looks fine, just not extended. The perimeter, however, looks a bit beat up. The flow is slow in the tank right not. Ill post better pictures when im home. Ive had great success with my Zoas and Acans for quite some tank. Tank is stable and all.

He looks very sad

timrocks311 · Jan 10, 2019

The polyps in the middle are a good sign. I say give it some more time.

Gatling · Jan 10, 2019

Here is another picture of him, still not opening. He isn't retrieved back like how some are when they are very damaged/sick but he isn't getting any bigger. I hope its just the lights/acclimation that just needs time to tell.
In the store, it was 4 times the size! Anyone else have an idea..? Im really worried

Billldg · Jan 10, 2019

I have had them take as long as 2 weeks to start to open up, as long as its not fully retracting it is just acclimating to the tank. Give it time, you will know when its is ready to open up as the boot will start to surround the skeleton.

JBKReef · Jan 10, 2019

How long has it been in the tank? I would say give it some time

Gatling · Jan 10, 2019

JBKReef said:
How long has it been in the tank? I would say give it some time

Its been in for over 24h. Still recent but I have never had a hammer before so im not sure what to expect.

Billldg said:
I have had them take as long as 2 weeks to start to open up, as long as its not fully retracting it is just acclimating to the tank. Give it time, you will know when its is ready to open up as the boot will start to surround the skeleton.

Thats reassuring! It isn't fully retracting + there is no brown slime or heads falling off. I know that usually corresponds to dying hammers. Thanks guys!

Will update in a few days to a week to see!

Billldg · Jan 10, 2019

You will know if its unhappy, as long as you see a little more movement in the tentacles daily, which means it is slowly coming out, you should be fine. Enjoy it, they are cool.

Something to make the hammer happy, make sure you aren't blasting it with a lot of light and strong flow. Out of all my hammers I have noticed they do not like a lot of direct light and flow.

Gatling · Jan 11, 2019

Billldg said:
You will know if its unhappy, as long as you see a little more movement in the tentacles daily, which means it is slowly coming out, you should be fine. Enjoy it, they are cool.

Something to make the hammer happy, make sure you aren't blasting it with a lot of light and strong flow. Out of all my hammers I have noticed they do not like a lot of direct light and flow.

Mine is in the corner of the tank with very very little flow. The tentacles move around but they don't sway in the water as it is never fully extended. I don't believe its in direct light as its in the corner of the tank and I have an AI prime so the hammer is in the "darkest" part of the tank.

I forgot to mention, but it goes with everything else, he looks deflated and times too. Ill post a video of my tank soon!