BTA Trauma F

FAQs on Bulb, Bubble Tip/Rose Anemone Trauma

Related Articles: Bubble Tip, Rose Anemones, Entacmaea quadricolor, Use in Marine Systems by Bob Fenner, Bubble Tip Anemones by Jim Black, Recent Experiences with BTA's by Marc Quattromani, Anemones, Cnidarians, Colored/Dyed Anemones,

Related FAQs: BTA Disease 1, BTA Disease 2, BTA Disease 3, BTA Disease 4, BTA Health 5, BTA Health 6, BTA Health 7, BTA Health 8, BTA Health 9, BTA Health 10, BTA Health 11, BTA Health 13,
FAQs on BTA Disease by Category: Diagnosing, Environmental (Pollution/Poisoning, Lighting...), Nutritional, Social (e.g. Allelopathy), Pathogenic (Infectious, Parasitic, Viral) Predatory/Pest, Treatments
& E. quad. FAQ 1, E. quad FAQ 2, E. quad. FAQ 3, E. quad FAQ 4, E. quad FAQ 5, BTA ID, BTA Compatibility, BTA Selection, BTA Behavior, BTA Systems, BTA Feeding, BTA Reproduction/Propagation,

Cover/screen pump intakes!
Take care when stacking, moving rock and other sessile invertebrates!

Heaters likewise need to be covered or remoted (in sumps, refugiums... possibly in in-line units).

Be aware that several fish families ingest Anemones (Angels, puffers, triggers...). Others damage them unknowingly (eels, sharks)... even invertebrates can be trouble (crabs, urchins...)

New Print and eBook on Amazon:

Anemone Success
Doing what it takes to keep Anemones healthy long-term

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

BTA With Heater Burn -- 01/15/12
Hi, I just came across your site and haven't found anything on burnt anemone foots. My tank's fine (60 gal/established) and I bought a Bubble Tip Anemone 4 days ago, Mike (the anemone). Even though I blocked the intake filter, he wiggled in there, got sucked in, then the heater came on and part of his foot was damaged. I saw him stuck, unplugged the filter, and he dropped out of the intake cap on his own, but evidently his foot was still on the heater at some point in the night when it came on. I disconnected the heater and removed it from the glass, laid it on a rock and he slowly made his way off of it and onto the rock. He's already stressed from the new tank move and now he's injured. These are his photos from day 1 through the day after his burn, he's seemingly getting worse, I don't know what to do for him and at a loss, any help/advise would be appreciated.
<<Unfortunately this is not an uncommon injury when these cnidarians are housed in systems with exposed heaters and one that in my experience/estimation generally results; as does most any 'foot' injury, in the demise of the anemone. There's nothing for you to do other than ensure prime water quality (along with relocating the heater to a remote sump) and waiting'¦but sadly, I wouldn't hold out that this animal will recover. And while you are waiting; if you have not done so already, please start reading here and among the associated links (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/bubbletipanemones.htm)>>
Thank you,
Michelle
<<Happy to share'¦ EricR>>
Re: BTA with Heater Burn -- 01/16/12
Thank you for your rapid response.
<<Quite welcome, Michelle>>
I've attached a few photos for your reference if anyone else could benefit from them since I couldn't find any photos of what I was looking for before taking him out of the tank.
<<Thank you for these'¦and just for future reference, please resize images to no more than a few hundred KB'¦we have a limited storage capacity re>>
Mike's out of the tank and in a hospital bucket with air and light, he pooped before I got him out of the tank and I removed everything before it did any damage to the rest of the tank. I'm keeping him in the hospital bucket in hopes that he's a strong little guy and comes back.
<<The photos would seem to tell a different tale'¦sad to say>>
I'm not getting another anemone until I have the proper equipment to protect it from the filter intake and heater - I feel awful because I thought I had it blocked from him pretty good - but alas I was wrong. Again, thank you for your assistance, it is extremely appreciated.
<<And again, happy to share'¦and condolences for your (impending) loss>>
Michelle
<<EricR>>

The Unfortunate Battle Of Anemone Versus Filter Intake :-(/Anemone Reproduction/Health 7/25/10
Hey Crew,
<Hello Manda>
I have some not so good news here, but a double part kind of question. I have had a Rose Bubble Tip for about 2 months now in my 60 gal tank. PH 8.2, SG 1.025, Ammonia, Nitrates, and Nitrites all 0.
Along with 200 watts of T5 lighting. Was doing fantastic! Even had it split into two very happy bubbly guys. About a week ago, I had added a Yellow headed <Head> Sleeper Goby that went to town rearranging all of my
sand to create his tunnels. Having returned after a week being gone, I cannot find our little clone. Is it possible that he got buried in the substrate?
<Possibly.>
My boyfriend who was taking care of the tank while I was gone said he had seen him a day and a half ago. If he is buried, is there any chance of survival?
<Possibly.>
Would he find his own way out?
<Unlikely.>
If he can't and has/will die, what do I do to avoid him contaminating the water?

Second part: The other half of the cloned pair decided to hang out by the intake of my Marineland C360 filter. It has a cover over it with lots of little slits in it so I didn't think it would be too detrimental, however... I just moved the tube away and about half of the anemone has been sucked up and of course looks awful. It almost looks as it has been cut in half right down the center. I know you can cut an anemone in half,
<Whoa here for the benefit of others. I have also read that it is possible to cut an anemone in half to propagate it artificially, and that only anemones that naturally divide will predictably survive this procedure.
In my opinion/experience, the percentage of success is minimal and one is likely to end up with two pieces of
dead anemone. My advice here....let the anemone divide naturally.>
so I am wondering if it is possible that he will make a recovery, or if I need to pull him off of the live rock so he doesn't contaminate the water.
<Anemones experiencing this trauma rarely recover.>
If I need to take him out, what's the best way to not affect the other fish?
<The best way is to remove the rock the anemone is attached to and remove it with a stiff brush.>
The water isn't cloudy, the skimmer is skimming efficiently, and I cleaned out the intake cover so there are no more pieces stuck in there. All of this makes me never want to leave for an extended period of time again!
<Yes, it sure seems that problems always arise when one is gone for a period of time.>
(I also lost my fire fish who apparently decided a day ago to jump out of the "covered" aquarium and found him on the floor today)
<And I'm still wondering how my Flasher Wrasse jumped out through a 1/8" slit in my "covered tank".>
Thank you very
much for your help!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Sincerely-
Manda
Re The Unfortunate Battle Of Anemone Versus Filter Intake :-(/Anemone Reproduction/Health 7/25/10 - 7/27/10
Hey James!
<Manda>
Thank you very much for the quick response!
<You're welcome.>
Just thought I'd give an update...
I still haven't been able to find the anemone that wants to play hide and seek. Apparently, he's much better at it than I am :-( I even rearranged all of my live rock last night and sifted threw my gravel and no luck. So I am slightly worried there.
<May want to consider using a Poly Filter or Chemi Pure to curb possible contamination.>
As to the RBTA that got into it with my intake, he is making a beautiful recovery! Yay! He has closed his foot around the gaping hole, his tentacles are all bubbled up, and he has even taken a piece of scallop.
<Very good news, most do not make it.>
Again, thank you for the help! If you have any more suggestions about the missing anemone, that would be very helpful. Take care!
<As above. James (Salty Dog)>
Manda

Injured Anemone, Will it survive? E. quadricolor -- 1/18/08 Hi WWM crew and thanks for several years of good advice for weird situations. <Hello Tracy, Brenda here, and you are welcome!> I have another question for you. <Okay!> Context - 7 yr old stable 150gal reef w/ 10,000K MH lighting and no real problems for a long time. Blennies, gobies, clown, mushrooms, a few SPS, yellow polyp forest, pulsing xenia that reproduce so madly they pay half my maintenance costs. <A lot of mushrooms?> Crisis - My rose BTA (favorite thing in the whole tank, had it 18 months, grew ~10x in size in that time, skunk clown lives in it) had some sort of horrible, unexplained accident yesterday. I found it in the overflow box with a piece (~15%) torn off. <The anemone was not happy. It was looking for a better place.> The mouth appears badly damaged, the pedicle is fine, and tentacles are fine. The small piece is really small, has only 5-10 tentacles on it & is mostly a blown up balloon. I put both pieces in my refugium, assuming it was going to die quickly but wanting to give it a chance. <Many anemones survive this type of injury, including going through powerheads. Protect all of your intakes. The recovery process will depend greatly on the health of the anemone before its injury. I do recommend a water change if you haven't already.> Well, this morning, all the tentacles are out and beautiful. The damage is still very severe, but neither piece is dying quickly. <I'm not surprised.> I am wondering where and how (if?) to try to rehabilitate it. <Provide it with pristine water parameters and time.> My refugium has only a PCF bulb (can't remember the wattage). I replace it every year, it is bright enough to sustain an insanely thick garden of Caulerpa, but I doubt it's bright enough for an anemone. <No it is not. However, the anemone will be ok for a few days without sufficient light. Moving it again will cause more stress. For now, let us try to figure out why it moved in the first place. Also, keep it away from all pumps in the refugium.> I am obviously very leery of putting a mangled anemone back in the main tank, where crabs & fish will pick on it; it will wander restlessly into some bad situation & die in a corner where I can't find it, etc. <What are you water parameters, including temperature, salinity, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, calcium and alkalinity? How many watts of metal halide do you have? I also need to know what skimmer and amount of flow you have in the tank. How often do you feed the anemone, what size portions, and what are you feeding?> What would you do with it right now? <Leave the anemone where it is for now and try to figure out the cause of it roaming. Running fresh carbon will also help in the recovery.> Under what circumstances would you feed it or put it back into the main tank? <The anemone is no where near ready to eat. This will take some time, perhaps weeks and will depend on the damage, previous health, and if you can correct the initial problem quickly. You need to wait until the anemone is completely healed before feeding. Trying to feed now will only cause more stress.> A few answers in your archive recommended Reef Dip for injured anemones. Do you think this is important? <No, and it may be more harmful. I don't recommend dips for anemones.> Thanks a lot. Tracy <You're welcome! Brenda>
Re: Injured Anemone, Will it survive? E. quadricolor -- 1/18/08 Hi Brenda & thanks for your reply. <You're welcome!> My anemone had been in the same place, happy, for many months, and growing very fast. I got him in mid-2006 and he was about the size of a quarter, now bigger than my hand. I feed mysis thawed in Selcon, 1 cube/week. Not much has changed in the tank lately. I did recently start adding strontium for some new small SPS corals, about 3 weeks ago. <Are you testing these levels before dosing?> Light: 2x 150w MH, 4x 54w actinics, total watts=529 <Did this anemone typically stay up high in the tank?> Temp usually 77 (chiller) <This is a bit low, try to aim for 80 degrees, without going over 82. Increase temperature slowly.> Sg=1.026 NH3, NO2, NO3=0 KH=8 (constant battle to get higher, but usually 8 no matter what I do) <A dKH of 8 is an acceptable range. I would not go much higher, if any. I would check your magnesium. If you are having trouble maintaining calcium and alkalinity levels, low magnesium may be the cause. An abrupt change in alkalinity will cause stress to anemones. So use caution here!> Ca=450 I actually don't have any intakes or powerheads in the tank, just a fast/powerful main pump with 2 returns in the tank. <No powerheads!!! Yeah!!! You have no idea how seldom I hear that! I am a strong believer in not keeping anemones with powerheads. Congrats to you for not using powerheads!> The anemone must have dived over the top of the overflow box, there's no other way in there! <Anemones can get through very small spaces when flow/suction is involved. I've seen them get sucked into a rather thick sponge filter on a powerhead.> I have ~20 mushrooms. I'm about to sell half of them and 1/3 of my basketball-sized xenia colony. Perhaps this will cut down on some of the chemical warfare that probably stresses the anemone. <Removing some of the mushrooms will help with chemical warfare.> I have carbon and a poly filter running all the time (time to change, about 2 months old). <Yes, carbon is only useful for a few weeks at best.> No skimmer, just a 20gal sump full of Caulerpa and detritivores (pump & turbulence segregated at one end by a screen). I'll do a 20% water change tonight and will take any other suggestions you have. How long do you think I can leave it in the refugium before the low light starts to impact its recovery ability? <This is hard to say. Some can go a few weeks or even a few months with inadequate lighting.> I don't want to go overboard with the quarantine and end up doing even more damage. <I understand. I would try giving the anemone 3 or 4 more days and then re-evaluate. Send me an update on it and I will help you decide. If things suddenly worsen during this time, let me know as soon as possible. Keep in mind that when this anemone does go back to the tank, it will need to be acclimated to the light. It may also immediately go into hiding (normal) or roam again so you will need to monitor it. Also, if you can, send me a picture of the anemone. If you are a member of a local reef club, you may be able to find someone willing to let you borrow some PC lighting to put over the sump during this time. You may also want to consider purchasing some back up lighting. Keeping the anemone in its current location as long as possible will help greatly. If you need help finding a local club, let me know. I will find out what is available in your area.> Tracy <Good luck! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! Brenda>

Re: Injured Anemone, Will it survive? E. Quadricolor -- 1/26/08 Update and need to move? The anemone(s) are looking good. Moving around a bit, staying small, and no necrosis. <Yeah!!!> I have attached pics. It's been a week. The question of course is what to do now. I would like to leave them in the refugium for their whole convalescence if possible, then sell the small one & reintroduce the big one once they can eat. <You would need to buy additional lighting to keep them in there much longer. They are already showing signs of hunger and loss of zooxanthellae. Unless you can provide better lighting in the next 2 -- 3 days, I would move them now.> In the refugium, they sit on the top of a Caulerpa forest just under the water surface. I gave them a glass bowl to sit in but they moved out. Ironically, there is a dreaded powerhead in there; otherwise it stagnates because the screen holes are small to keep in the Caulerpa. This weekend I will move the powerhead to the other side of the screen and just use a hose to get the same flow. The intake is buried deep in Caulerpa so low risk, but not zero risk. I took apart the refugium light to read the label - it's a Coralife 6700k 96 watt PCF bulb, last changed 5/07. They are about 7 inches from the bulbs. In the main tank they were always in the exact middle. How long do you think they can be healthy with that wattage? Usually this light stays on 24/7, but I've been giving them a 12hr light/dark cycle like the main tank, do you agree with that? <Yes, no need for a refugium light to be on 24/7.> As for your other questions - I don't have Strontium or Magnesium test kits, and just add Strontium. This is one of those "don't fix what isn't broke" things. I've never tested for those in 7 yrs. <It is a bad practice to dose anything without testing. Since you just recently started dosing Strontium, it may be contributing to the anemone roaming.> If you think high or low levels could be affecting the anemones, I could test, which kits do you recommend for those? <You should be testing Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. If your going to dose Strontium, you need to test it before dosing.> How do I decide when to feed? Give them x number of weeks looking good, then try a few mysis? Wait till I can clearly see nice round mouths in each one? (The little one was mostly mouth, the big one had most of its mouth ripped out). <They don't appear to be badly damage in the picture. I would go ahead and try feeding a very small piece of food (sliver size). If it takes it, I would try another tiny piece the next day. I would also get some window screen and put over your tank for a week or so, to acclimate the anemone to the lighting.> Thanks for ongoing advice. Tracy <You're welcome! Brenda>

Re: Injured Anemone, Will it survive? E. Quadricolor -- 1/28/08 <Hello Tracy, Brenda here!> A few developments: <Okay!> I talked with several guys from the Atlanta Reef Club. They all thought that 96 watts over 17 inches (quad bulb) should be fine for anemones for longer than a week, and wondered if I just needed a new bulb. <It is possible, but we are already dealing with an unhealthy, injured anemone. I don't want to see the health decline any more. We are at the 10 day mark already.> So I did a little more looking at my setup. The bulb I had was indeed 96 watt PCF and only 7 months old, but it had no actinic component! So I replaced it with a new 96 watt 6700k 50/50 bulb. Do you think the lack of an actinic component could have caused loss of zooxanthellae that quickly? <No, the loss of zooxanthellae is not caused by the lack of actinic. A bulb without the actinic would be a better choice, yet still not sufficient, in this case.> If not, I can still move to the main tank but at least now they will have a day or 2 at a higher light level to help them acclimate. <You have actually decreased the lighting by adding the actinic.> I fed them both - turned off the flow and dropped a mysis right in the middle of them. The big one eventually, after 5-10 minutes, ate 2 mysis and I see there is a well-healed mouth. <Two mysis shrimp may be a bit much for this anemone. I would try just one for now.> I also got him to stick on a small rock, which will make moving him easier. <Good sign!> The little one didn't react to the food at all, didn't close up around it, eventually it fell off and was eaten by an Aiptasia nearby. <Yikes! The nearby Aiptasia are not doing the little guy any favors. It needs to be kept away from the Aiptasia. An unhealthy anemone will not be able to compete with them.> I am especially reluctant to lose this tiny one in the tank if it is weak and not eating. What do you think? Tracy
<Brenda>

Injured Bubble Anemone - flush or mend? Anemone Meets Powerhead -- 1/13/08 Hey folks, <Hello Christopher, Brenda here> So my Bubble bailed on his tomato clown in favor of the in-port of my power-head (any way I secure the port, something always finds it's way into "the chipper"). <Ouch! I don't recommend the use of powerheads with anemones. However, if you must use them, here are some ideas: http://www.karensroseanemones.com/coverpowerheads.htm > Long to short, the bubble anemone is about half ground, foot to tip w/ a gapping mouth sequestered in a bowl, & I wonder if there is any sense (or possibility) in nursing it back to health, or if it would just be toxic to my 24 nano halide coral/clam garden? <Many anemones have survived powerhead incidents. I would do a water change today and tomorrow. Keep a close eye on your water parameters.> The water is cloudy, but the T-Clown, Yellow-head Goby, DOB Damsel & Chromis seem ok. My environment levels are good & I added a little pro-bacteria to boost the cycling of any ground anemone protein, & expect nitrates to increase. <I would rely on water changes to correct any ammonia and nitrate issues. You also need to figure out why your anemone started roaming. Anemones move when they are unhappy, in search of a better place. More information regarding their care can be found here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/bubbletipanemones.htm > Toast or viable? <It is definitely worth the effort.> Thanks, Christopher <You're welcome! Brenda>
Re: Anemone Meets Powerhead -- 1/14/08 Brenda, <Christopher> Thanks for the info. <You're welcome!> Soon after my email, I tossed Mr. Bubbles back in the tank &, after much finagling, including a trip BACK to the grinder, <Yikes!> I successfully relocated him/her to a better home. The thing with this one is that he/she was always looking for high-flow from day one. Now the choice made is a low-flow rock channel far away (in a 24 nano) from the circ. pump, with fully exposed tentacles, & the T-clown has resumed his duty. <The clown is hosting an injured anemone? The anemone needs time to heal before the clownfish is allowed back in.> Lucky for Mr. Bubbles I am a miser, or I would have flushed only after a few tries. <Ouch! Miser or not, flushing a live creature should never be an option. Providing an adequate environment is a much better choice. There is plenty of information available in the links I previously sent you. Research before you purchase. If you are not up to the task of providing adequate care, finding it a new home is the appropriate action.> Now, to catch that pesky Damsel... <Brenda> <<Time for me to leave this country... RMF>

Possible Torn Anemone -- 8/19/07 <Hello, Brenda here to help!> I have a rose bubble tip anemone and I lifted the rock he was under but half of him was connected to it and it looked like it pulled him away a little. <Ouch!!> I'm not sure if I did something wrong but I laid it back down when I saw what I did. <Yes, you did something wrong. However, it is not likely fatal if the anemone was in good health to begin with. When you say the anemone was 'under' the rock, are you saying it was hiding and not getting any light?> I lifted the rock slow but when I could see him I noticed the small part pull away. Help me please. My finance will kill me if he dies. He is a week old. <I have to confess! I have done something similar! I have also witnessed another crew member/friend do the same. You may have torn the foot. Don't try moving the anemone anymore. Keep your water parameters perfect! The anemone may end up splitting, giving you two. Many anemones have survived going through unprotected powerheads. You should know in a day or two if the anemone is going to split. Do not try feeding the anemone for a few days. If it does splits, wait a week to 10 days to give the mouth time to heal before feeding. I hope this helps! I'll keep my fingers crossed! Let me know if you have any more questions. Brenda>

BTA, Possible Splitting, Entacmaea quadricolor -- 3/15/07 Hi, <Hello, Brenda here> I have checked out your site for more information on my current problem. My Green BTA has developed a small tear in its column and this morning when I checked on it its guts were starting to hang out. <Is it splitting? Or was it injured somehow?> I know this probably means it is not going to survive too long but I was wondering what I could do to try and help it recover. <Keep pristine water conditions.> It appears to have torn itself coming out from behind a rock but was fine and all puffed up an hour or so before I checked it according to my husband so I was hoping it wasn't too late. <A picture would be helpful, but it sounds to me like it is splitting, and you will end up with two very soon.> I have a 500 gallon reef tank and the BTA has been in there over a week now feeding and looking fairly happy other than hiding occasionally. Thanks for your help. Francesca Wise
<You're welcome. Brenda>

Re: BTA, Possible Splitting, Entacmaea quadricolor - 3/15/07 Hi Thanks for your reply, Things seem to have gotten a lot worse since this morning and I think it's probably now too late. I have attached a picture. Is there anything we can try? <The only thing you can do for it now is keep your water parameters stable. Is it possible that the anemone was injured by a power head? They have been known to recover from this. I do agree it doesn't look good. Keep a close eye one it. If there are any signs of life, the anemone has a chance. Here is a website with pictures of others that have been injured. http://www.karensroseanemones.net/coverpowerheads.htm > Thanks, Francesca
<You're welcome. Brenda>

Goner

BTA, Maroon Clown... tank size, lighting...? No useful info. 9/4/06 Hello, <Hi there> I am fairly new to saltwater aquariums and have had nothing but great luck so far. My tank cycled very well with surprising responsiveness to lowering nitrite and ammonia. I added 1 damsel after the cycle process to make sure I could care for it. Well that was easy. So I added a maroon clown which had an Anemone with it. They are wonderful together. Full of activity and action. I have had no problems with feeding and my clown is going right to his host when it opens. They shared a very good relationship. So I was a little concerned to find my Anemone in a cave. <...?> It is the same cave the clownfish rests in so I thought it was just after its friend. <Ah, no> The next morning I moved him <Wouldn't do this> on the rock he sat back into the light. The clownfish swam around and ate as normal and within an hour the anemone was right back into the cave. Strange thing now is it is upside down clinging to the cave ceiling. <Leave it... "it's telling you something"...> The clown still approaches it and rolls around in it for a while but I am still a little confused about the unusual location my Bubbletip has chosen to rest. I thought they liked light. <In time...> I am thinking that flow may play a part. Either it is too soft or too hard. <Maybe...> I am turning the tank over about 11 times an hour. A little high? <Should be fine... unless all of the flow is too directed...> One other question. In the future I would like to add one or two fish to the tank but I am definitely concerned about the maroon clown dominating the tank and not allowing this. <You are wise here> I was just thinking of a goby, blenny or a wrasse. <Should have been placed first...> I don't want to stock a lot of fish as I really enjoy watching the inverts and plan to add a nice pack of coral in a year or two. Thanks for any help in advance. Hope my anemone is OK. I just love that thing to death. A truly amazing animal. John Davis <Ah, yes... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/maroonclnart.htm and here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/bubbletipanemones.htm and the linked files above. You need knowledge... we've got it to share. Bob Fenner>

More on BTA, Maroon... the former badly bleached... and the pedicle torn! 9/4/06 Hi, <Hello again> I just wrote an email concerning my topsy turvy bubble tip. I decided to email a few pictures in case that may help. <Good, they do> One shows the bubble tip hosting the clown while upside down. Currently the anemone is closed but it opens regularly. Just weird to me. Hope the photos help. Maybe someone there will like them. Thanks again guys! John <... this Entacmaea is badly bleached (sans endosymbiotic zooxanthellae)... out of the light for good reason... See the previous reference... read re their Selection, Health, Systems... Need... to feed, hope that this animal can/will recover, reincorporate photosynthate symbionts. Bob Fenner>

Re: Follow-up on upside down anemone 9/4/06 Hello again! <John> This morning I got your email and became very concerned. <You should be... in looking at your pix, there is another dire issue... the pedicle of this specimen is torn...> After reading the information in the links I am worried my lighting is way off. I have a 29 gallon tank with an Eclipse 3 hood. I have installed a 50/50 daylight bulb and an 18K actinic blue. Is this intense enough for my anemone? <... no> I did not bother the anemone at all this weekend and just carefully observed it by peaking around the rock on occasion. This morning it is emerging from the cave a little. Still not in plain site but it is at least moving out of the cave. His tentacles are stretched out quite a bit right now and they are a neon green. It looks like the same color as when I bought him. Could have been such a gradual change I did not notice. Anyways. I really appreciate all the help and the links. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions. You're awesome! John <... you need to read... and investigate before purchasing... BobF>

BTA infected, splitting or what? >I have had this BTA for about 12 days now. Got him from LiveAquaria.com. It was supposed to be medium sized (3"-5"), but this thing is enormous (10"-12). About 3 days ago it started to develop "sores", and now his mouth is kind of funny. I've attached some photos from day 2 of their appearance. >>Yes, I've seen them. These are NOT sores, it looks to me that the animal is dying quickly. What I see is the outer membrane breaking open. It will need to be removed ASAP. >For the most part they are confined to the area around the mouth although there are 1or 2 spots away from the mouth as well. You can just see one of these in IMG_0051 (renamed "DyingBTA"). The "sores" look worse today and are now on both sides of the mouth. >>Indeed, once an anemone begins to go, it goes FAST. >All of the water parameters in my tank are good (no ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, sg 1.024, pH ~8.2, KH 10). Please let me know what you think. Thanks! -matt >>Sorry I haven't got better news for you, Matt. If it were me, I would contact the vendor and let them know what's happened. In the meantime, if the thing is still around, move it to its own tank immediately. Best of luck. Marina

BTA infected, splitting or what? II >Marina, The anemone died on Saturday. >>Argh! Sorry to hear that, though it really looked like it was on its way out. I hope you've called the vendor, as I don't think it should have gone that fast if shipped properly. >Just wanted to say thanks for the reply and for the heads-up on the ensuing disaster. >>You're welcome. >Took the poor thing and placed it in my QT tank. By then (Friday the 24th) most of its outer membrane had broken down and there was a large hole right through the middle of it. >>Uck.. good thing you put it in the q/t, and good thing you HAVE a q/t! >Luckily it was still rather intact. Things only got worse from there as I'm sure you are familiar with. >>All too. >What a mess. Sure am glad it was in my QT. Thanks again. -matt >>Oh yes, I'm glad it didn't die in your display, that's a hell of a mess when that happens. I think it came in rough condition in the first place, so I hope they make good on it for you. Marina

BTA foot caught under rock <gulp!> I was cleaning my tank today, and I usually don't disturb the rock that my Bubble Tip Anemone is attached to, but today I accidentally jostled the rock! Since the anemone has chosen to lodge its foot to the underside of the rock (which rests slightly off the sand floor, supported by parts of the rock that extend out), I'm worried that its foot may be pinned between the rock and the floor. The anemone has been in this position for about a month. Would it disturb or stress out the anemone if I picked up the rock to check if the foot is pinned? Would it be worse to leave the rock "as is" if the foot is pinned? ---Stella <better check to see if it is crushed.. the risk of a necrotic infection is worse than the stress of disturbing it. Best regards, Anthony>

BTA Treatment
Hi, <Hello Fawn>
I have searched your site for information on how to treat an anemone that has been damaged. I noticed my water was really murky this morning and in searching for the reason, found my BTA had been partially sucked into the power head. I have a sponge filter that fits over the intake to avoid problems like this. However, is somehow got pulled off. The BTA has a rip from it's mouth out through the side. The foot appears intact. This is a beautiful anemone that I have had for quite a while. Please advise me regarding what I can and should do.
I have done a partial water change and removed the pieces of the anemone that I can find. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. <Fawn, for the best interest of the rest of the tank inhabitants, do give the anemone it's last water change (down the toilet). There is nothing you can do to reverse the damage. In leaving the anemone in the tank it will soon die and foul the whole system and more than likely wipe out the remaining inhabitants. James (Salty Dog)>
Regards,
Fawn Curtis

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