What is wrong with my Nem????

[KMP123]

I have a Ritteri Anemone that has been in my 55 gallon tank for about 3 weeks now. Recently, it started MAJORLY deflating at night, with a gaping mouth and all... but during the day it looks normal. I’ve tried feeding him A frozen silverside but he didn’t want it. A week later I tried feeding frozen krill, but he also didn’t eat those. What is going on here? He’s height up on the rocks to reach the lights (I have two Current USA LED light bars) and he’s near my power head so he gets pretty good flow. He hasn’t tried to move himself so I’m assuming his location is fine. What else is it? Is he sick? Hungry? I’ve done a partial water change and that didn’t affect him at all either. No other changes have been made since he was added. I’ve attached a video of what it looks like at night time.

 

[Spare time]

Im 95% sure problem is your light. Current USA lights, especially the non IC version, are incredibly weak lights. Its a shame because they produce really pretty visuals. Also, they are rather difficult anemones so don't feel bad if something went wrong with the squishy fellow

 

[fishguy242]

hi welcome first off ,cannot see video have a pic

 

[DonTavo27]

Yes agree with spare time on the lighting. Look into getting a better light.

 

[fishguy242]

not to disagree,imo nems are shallow water,poss too much flow,only a 55 2 currents can grow acro in the rt conditions,just my opinion

 

[fishguy242]

 

[fishguy242]

75 gallon 3 orig orbit pro not the new loop

 

[Spare time]

OP What did you have the light settings at?

 

[ca1ore]

I could not view the video, but my guess is that it’s almost certainly not a lighting problem. Do a little searching on the anemone forum and you’ll see that inflation/deflation cycles are very common with recently acquired magnifica anemones (haven’t been know as ritteri for many years but the LFS keep calling them that) and almost certainly a symptom of infection. Silversides are high in bacteria and not recommended as anemone food. In fact, a mag doesn’t really need feeding at all.

Typically it will begin deflating early evening to the point of looking like a flattened pancake. By morning it will probably look ok. Then the cycle begins anew. Each time the cycle gets slightly worse until eventually it dies and you are left with a pile of goo. @OrionN is the expert. He popularized treatment with an excellent thread over on RC years ago.

Unfortunately, they are very demanding animals not for the reefing novice. You’ll almost certainly need to treat it in a hospital tank with cipro or septa. Depending on how progressed the infection is, may or may not be too late.

 

[ca1ore]

In terms of spots, mags do best on a high pedestal where they get lots of light and chaotic flow.

 

[fishguy242]

is that the bad pic? looks normal

 

[fishguy242]

is also common for them not to eat 4 a week or even two when moved

 

[Spare time]

I could not view the video, but my guess is that it’s almost certainly not a lighting problem. Do a little searching on the anemone forum and you’ll see that inflation/deflation cycles are very common with recently acquired magnifica anemones (haven’t been know as ritteri for many years but the LFS keep calling them that) and almost certainly a symptom of infection. Silversides are high in bacteria and not recommended as anemone food. In fact, a mag doesn’t really need feeding at all.

Typically it will begin deflating early evening to the point of looking like a flattened pancake. By morning it will probably look ok. Then the cycle begins anew. Each time the cycle gets slightly worse until eventually it dies and you are left with a pile of goo. @OrionN is the expert. He popularized treatment with an excellent thread over on RC years ago.

Unfortunately, they are very demanding animals not for the reefing novice. You’ll almost certainly need to treat it in a hospital tank with cipro or septa. Depending on how progressed the infection is, may or may not be too late.

It looked pretty bad with the mouth gaping wide open in the video

 

[ca1ore]

is that the bad pic? looks normal

Healthy mag. This is what an infected one looks like before treatment; then after.

 

[KMP123]

So I’m thinking it’s infection because I also have 2 T5s and a Kessil, it’s placed high, and has good flow. With the treatment, who can share what they’ve done before and succeeded in? I’m setting up a hospital tank now.

 

[fishguy242]

they do open and close couple times a day one pic looks open and fine other looks closed ,is this what is happening,any signs of deteriation from mouth stringy stuff ?falling apart?

 

[ca1ore]

Mags will shrink in overall size at night, and may occasionally have localized flaccid tentacles; but should never deflate globally. There’s a thread on treatment on the anemone forum.

 

[KMP123]

No, no stringy things from the mouth... but leaves his mouth open a lot and doesn’t want krill or shrimp. Could I try scallop or something? I am worried it’s been too long since he had something meaty. About 2 weeks going on 3.

 

[KMP123]

Also, if it is an infection, will it spread to my baby BTA? I’ve had it for about a month and a half and right now it looks normal, but I’m wondering if I need to worry about it. It is on the opposite side of the tank but still in the same aquarium.