URGENT!!! Anemone eating angelfish

WhenKeepinItReefGoesWrong · Apr 1, 2021

I'm not sure what to do. I got home and can see that my recently purchased flame angel is being consumed by my anemone. I have no way of knowing if the anemone killed it or just grabbed it's body. I had noticed the angel has spent several days hiding in the rockwork instead of swimming about, but he was still eating so I figured it wasn't anything major.

First question: do I try and remove the body from the anemone?

Second: all other fish are behaving normally. Are there any precautions or tests I should be running beyond normal water quality.

Tank is about 6 months old.

((FORDTECH)) · Apr 1, 2021

WhenKeepinItReefGoesWrong said:
I'm not sure what to do. I got home and can see that my recently purchased flame angel is being consumed by my anemone. I have no way of knowing if the anemone killed it or just grabbed it's body. I had noticed the angel has spent several days hiding in the rockwork instead of swimming about, but he was still eating so I figured it wasn't anything major.

First question: do I try and remove the body from the anemone?

Second: all other fish are behaving normally. Are there any precautions or tests I should be running beyond normal water quality.

Tank is about 6 months old.

Unfortunately I’m sure he’s a goner. If you try to remove it you may damage the anemone. Most likely it will spit it out when it’s ready if it can’t consume it. Accidents do happen maybe he swam into it

Jekyl · Apr 1, 2021

He gone.

CMMorgan · Apr 1, 2021

Oh that is a horrible sight. I am very sorry. We have all been there. Just keep an eye on your ammonia.

WhenKeepinItReefGoesWrong · Apr 1, 2021

I guess I should have explained more thoroughly. I'm 100% sure he's dead, I'm just wondering what the best course is now to preserve remaining livestock. I realize pulling the fish could harm the anemone, but if I leave it and the nem doesn't release it doesn't it have the potential to spike my entire tank sitting in the nems mouth decaying?

Pistondog · Apr 1, 2021

Man, that's tough.
Wait for the nem to decide to swallow or spit.

((FORDTECH)) · Apr 1, 2021

WhenKeepinItReefGoesWrong said:
I guess I should have explained more thoroughly. I'm 100% sure he's dead, I'm just wondering what the best course is now to preserve remaining livestock. I realize pulling the fish could harm the anemone, but if I leave it and the nem doesn't release it doesn't it have the potential to spike my entire tank sitting in the nems mouth decaying?

Will be worse to harm the anemone and have him die and pollute tank imo

vetteguy53081 · Apr 1, 2021

Nothing you can do as others indicated. It is stung and likely partially digested as disappointing as it sounds.
Either angel got too close or was weak and landed in the wrong place.
Sorry you had to come home to this.

CMMorgan · Apr 1, 2021

WhenKeepinItReefGoesWrong said:
I guess I should have explained more thoroughly. I'm 100% sure he's dead, I'm just wondering what the best course is now to preserve remaining livestock. I realize pulling the fish could harm the anemone, but if I leave it and the nem doesn't release it doesn't it have the potential to spike my entire tank sitting in the nems mouth decaying?

If it spits it out, remove what's left. If you have crabs, they will finish it off by morning. Just watch your ammonia.

saltwaterjunkie12 · Apr 1, 2021

Definitely let it be in the meantime, and make sure it is consumed or if he spits it out so you can get it from the tank.

WhenKeepinItReefGoesWrong · Apr 2, 2021

Well this morning the fish was gone. Couldn't find it in the tank and the anemone was back to normal. It seems crazy that the nem could digest it in just a few hours, but I can't figure out where else it would be.

Checked my levels after work and no ammonia or nitrate spike. Any other things I should be on the lookout for?

CMMorgan · Apr 2, 2021

WhenKeepinItReefGoesWrong said:
Well this morning the fish was gone. Couldn't find it in the tank and the anemone was back to normal. It seems crazy that the nem could digest it in just a few hours, but I can't figure out where else it would be.

Checked my levels after work and no ammonia or nitrate spike. Any other things I should be on the lookout for?

Nope, you're good. Happy nem. I bet the other fish are going to stay away from that one for a while.

Pistondog · Apr 2, 2021

WhenKeepinItReefGoesWrong said:
Well this morning the fish was gone. Couldn't find it in the tank and the anemone was back to normal. It seems crazy that the nem could digest it in just a few hours, but I can't figure out where else it would be.

Checked my levels after work and no ammonia or nitrate spike. Any other things I should be on the lookout for?

Don't think it's digested yet, only swallowed and in process.