|
Home | Marine Aquariums |
Freshwater Aquariums |
Planted Aquariums |
Brackish Systems |
Ponds,
lakes & fountains |
Turtles & Amphibians |
Aquatic Business |
Aquatic Science |
Ask the WWM Crew a Question |
Please visit our Sponsors | ||||
Anemone (H. crispa, health) Howdy Bob! <Hello there> Luv your website! Spend a lot of time just reading information and planning next addition to my tank. Purchased what appeared to be a Sebae anemone about 1 1/2 months ago. Has been doing great. Feeding it Phytoplex 3x week, and supplementing with plankton crushed up and mixed with liquid vitamins. Increased my lighting (nowhere near enough, but it was looking great!). I purchased about 3 weeks ago 2 Clarkii clown fish for it. They dove right in and things were looking good. About 1 week ago, I noticed when I fed the supplements to the anemone, my Clarkii's would knock the food out of its tentacles and gobble it up. <Yes, this happens.> Tried feeding fish and anemone at same time, but no difference. This am, my anemone is shriveled, and its mouth is hanging open. <Not good> My Clarkii's are still playing with it. It's not disintegrating yet, but am I going to lose it? No bad smells noted yet, but it doesn't look good. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. <Do try feeding the Clown/Anemonefishes ahead of offering some larger, meatier foods placed maybe with a turkey baster toward the anemones center... this and brighter light should do the job. Bob Fenner> Kat
Re: Anemone ID Steven, It really doesn't look like a
sebae. The purple dot on the tip is the size of a pinhead and very
uniform in size. Wouldn't dying affect that? Craig <No,
generally the dye is only absorbed by the rest of the tissue and the
purple tips are unaffected. Look through the WWM site. Bob has a ton of
pictures there are comparison to your individual. -Steven Pro> RE: Long Tentacle Anemone (resurrection by light) Well I purchased one of the SmartLite "power something or others" it is 96 watts with 4 lites in it 2 blue, 2 white. <sexy outfit and color balance...like it> I tell you the anemone responded to it almost right away and so have the fish I also purchased some live rock to build up a higher position for the anemone to sit on to keep it closer to the light. Your help is much appreciated and you hit the nail right on the head. <A matter of experience, my friend, that you are gaining evermore too each day> thanks for the help JS <quite welcome. Anthony> H. Crispa: Sebae Anemone Hi Bob, <Anthony Calfo in your
service> Great site, really fantastic, wish I'd found it seven
days ago. The reason? Although I'm experienced with Koi and
tropicals, I'm still relatively new to marines. You know what's
coming don't you? Bought a beautiful looking maroon clown to add to
my fish only tank the other day. Had my eye on this guy for a couple of
weeks, and he just loved his little anemone in the shop. S.O. thinks it
would be a good idea to get it as well, to keep the clown happy.
<ughhh... here it comes <smile>> OK, OK, I've read the
FAQs now, and I am feeling mucho guilty. Mea culpa. <are you a
lawyer... or do you just play one on TV?> I also bought the gear to
upgrade my two lights to four. I have a marine white, marine Glo
(blue), a 10,000 K and an 18,000 K set-up. <nice, but how deep
is the tank? If more than eighteen inches with standard fluorescents,
this won't be of much help.> I guess I need to re-read the
lighting section in my books to see if this is OK. <ahead of me my
friend...yes> I have two external filters, and no protein skimmer,
an issue I guess I am going to have to address real fast.
<agreed> The anemone is, I believe, an H. Crispa. In my superb
ignorance I had thought he was sitting in a small terracotta pot, this
being the colour of his tube. In the shop his tentacles seemed mostly
retracted, and white, although his tube was a beautiful salmon pink. At
home he has collapsed somewhat, with outer ring of tentacles hanging
down over his tube. <do read about bleached sebae anemones if yours
is white tentacled> Prior to reading your article, I had tried to
prop him upright between three pieces of rock. After reading your FAQs,
now believe he would prefer to bed on the glass through the sand. He
had tried to start attaching himself to the side of one of the rocks
however. Gently tried to turn this so he was upright, but he detached.
Have tried to gently support him on all sides with sand, and he seems
much happier. <if it begins to move around the tank, it is often an
indication of inadequate lighting> He seems to react to my
interference by colouring his tentacles - they go a dirty tannish
colour. <when tentacles are retracted, I assume> The clown
seems to be quite concerned at the state of the anemone, and is
vigorously rubbing and pushing at it, as well as feeding it. The
tentacles with food close appeared to go a luminous yellow colour.
<not a very healthy color you will soon learn> I hope I am not on
the three month fast track to goo. <no comment> I have
recently watched my mandarin starve to death, and having read some of
your other replies am feeling really bad. My other (surviving) tank
inhabitants are a yellow tang, blue devil, leopard wrasse, blue cheeked
goby, hermit crab and a fire shrimp. My regal angel died recently, but
I guess you're not surprised. <my friend... the leopard wrasse,
mandarin, yellow sebae anemone (dyed color!) and a regal angel... you
are killing me!!! Somebody is giving you awful advice! I truly hope the
retailer of these inappropriate (to the uninformed/novice) animals is a
single location and not a plethora of stores in your area> My
question is really can you recommend some sort of external filter that
does the protein skimmer bit as well? <a lousy idea that has
historically failed. Try an Aqua C if you need a unit with a narrow
profile> Also, if the inevitable happens, how many years should I
stay fish-only before attempting to push my luck? <hehe... just a
few good months of reading my friend will be fine. Do try to locate
some local aquarium societies to get some great and free unbiased
information. I recently began selling books to a fellow in the UK who
was telling me about a few regional aquarium societies. I think most of
them are listed in Practical Fishkeeping Magazine (UK). Have faith...
you'll do fine. It sounds like you are a good and humble learner.
With kind regards, your friend across the pond, Anthony Calfo>
Cheers - Tim (in the UK).
Sea anemone Just to let you know my sebae anemone died today.
:( <I am truly sorry to hear that...Anthony> I took it out
of the main tank two days ago as its tentacles started to wither, and I
noticed a dark object coming out of its mouth (turned out to be its
insides). I had hoped that maybe I might be able to save it, but I have
heard that once they start a downward spiral it is very hard to bring
them back. Is this true? <yes... without a skeleton and dense
tissue, infections set rapidly> When these things start to die, do
they make your tank water a slightly cloudy color? <indeed> I did
a partial water change in the main tank that it was in and added some
'cycle'. <the water changes are your best bet> All
the other fish seem to be fine for now. Poor 'Bozo' my Percula
clown seems to miss the anemone, <not at all...the tank is
truly safer without one... clowns take up shells and hardy coral just
the same. Try a large shell if you have one> I have moved a cloth
type plant over to where the anemone used to be and he seems to like
that enough. Not as much as he liked his anemone, however it will do.
<agreed> Do you know if anyone makes artificial sea anemones?
Would be cool if they did, then my clown could have an anemone and I
would not have to worry about it dying. <they do...but they are
terribly expensive (marketed for zoos and their budgets> Thanks for
all your help and I do pass on what I learn from you. <the ultimate
compliment... kind regards. Anthony> Kathy Pink Tip anemone You Guys are Killing Me <smile> Hi Guys, (Sorry I don't Know whose gonna answer!) <Anthony Calfo in your service, my friend> I've written before and was very pleased with the advice and timely response. <convincing fibbers, I suppose> So I've got another question, this time about the pink tip anemone. I've heard that they eat fish <uncommon...just weak, dead and dying ones for the most part (aside from mandarins and seahorses)> and was just wondering if they would pose a threat to any the following fishes: Blue regal tang, powder blue tang, yellow tang, regal angel, <good lord, dude...who suckered you into buying the regal angel?!? Please don't tell me the LFS used some bull crap line like "But, look...it's eating!" Dude...the problem with such fish in captivity is not that they don't eat (an inaccurate legend) but that they don't SURVIVE on prepared foods and die slowly of a dietary deficiency. The odds of your angel being alive one year from now are slim (unless it is a Maldivian Orange throat, seriously)> coral beauty, Percula clownfish, blue damsels, and a cleaner wrasse (I know I shouldn't have bought it but it was eating at the store and I couldn't resist!) <aieeee! same argument as above...fire you local fish counsel...hehe> as I was given a pink tip and have now put it in to my tank. Your knowledge is appreciated. <and your patience with my sense of humor is ever more appreciated, my friend. Don't worry about the anemone...it is the least of your problems. Also, never feed it anything larger than 1/4" meats...just because it stings a large chunk doesn't mean it is healthy or natural> Thanks, Jay <kindly, Anthony> Sebae & clown fish follow up Hi Anthony, it's Kathy again, <Greeting! Anthony> Just thought you'd like to know that my Sebae anemone seems to be improving. <Outstanding!> It has embedded itself in the live sand that I have in my tank and seems to be coloring up a wee bit now. It is turning light beige, hopefully brown later. The base has a dark color, like there is something dark inside. (Zooxanthellae, hope this is how you spell it) <all very good signs that the zooxanthellae <wink> are returning> When I said it moved in my last E-mail to you I meant that it would open and close it's tentacles and puff itself up when it eats. It only moved to find it's spot in my tank when I first got it. At present it has fluffed out its tentacles so it is a nice shape, NO mouth gaping thankfully. <ahhh...very good> Bozo, my clown is very protective of it. He is like a cat with catnip, I swear!! It is so funny how he loves this thing. I have noticed that when I feed the anemone with a baster full of minced food that my clown will steal some of it. Any ideas on how I can prevent Bozo from taking my anemones food? <probably no great harm...I suspect the anemone will get enough (please don't overfeed to compensate)...the anemone will eventually get it anyway when the clown passes waste> I have tried to feed the anemone at the same time I feed the fish, but the anemone is a bit slow to close around it and Bozo is right there to pluck it out. I feed the anemone once every three days, for now anyway till I see how it is doing. Hope this is not too much. <not at all...perhaps a little more even> I am curious too, how long should I leave my lights on for the anemone each day? I leave them on for 8 hours is this enough, too much? (minimum for fluorescents 8-12 hours and keep bulbs fresh (changed every 6-10 months for photosynthetic animals> Thanks for all your help :) I am learning so much!!!! <keep learning and pass your wisdom on to others in kind. Anthony> Kathy Sebae Anemone Rescue Hi again Anthony, <Greetings, Kathy... I noticed the RN in your username... I suspect that your charges (human and pets) are in excellent hands <smile>> Sorry to be plaguing you with questions. My Sebae anemone, is eating and moves. <It is good that it is eating...but not so that it is unsettled> I wonder if the brownish mucous stuff it spits out is the remains of what it eats? <it could be the product of digestion...but if it is still quite white, it could also be the expulsion of zooxanthellae (rather bad)> It looks ok, but what do I know!!, I called a fish store about it, not the one I got it from. They said that it is hard to tell, it may be fine, just to keep an eye on it. <look out for it to continue to take on a dingy, brown color even in patches (very good sign)> they also said that the anemone is usually white but will take on a greenish to brown color from the algae in the tank. <not from the tank (re-inoculation legend...may be bogus) but rather some remnant zooxanthellae is left behind and farmed> I called the place I got it from and they said the same. I had taken it out of the tank and put it in a small Betta hex bowl with Oxygen bubbled in. It seemed to be fine, was eating etc. The only thing is that it expels these small brownish mucous balls once in a while. It will puff itself up once in a while to move, or when I feed it. Is it true that they 'throw their stomach out (mouth protrudes) when they eat? Don't laugh too hard now!! <sorry... I couldn't read your last sentence, I was laughing too hard... hehe> I read on another site where someone said it does that. <in a manner of speaking, but never to be confused with gaping> Mine did puff itself up and brought its tentacles up and together and you could see a slight bulge near the mouth. It also expelled a mucous ball afterward. SO I have to wonder what it is doing? Is it because it is sick and dying that it does this? <nope, just expelling something unwanted (waste or symbionts) I wonder if this is not just the product of digestion? I mean the remains of what it eats has to go somewhere, right? <don't forget about regurgitation... I know I couldn't this morning after that bottle of wine last night> I have tried to find info on the net about these critters. But like you say the info is so diverse it is hard to differentiate between what is fact and fiction. In any case, it is back in the tank with Bozo <really!?1? you have a fish that looks like Bill Clinton?!?) but I am keeping a close eye on it. I got the anemone for my clown so the Royal Gramma would stop charging him with his open mouth. The Gramma leaves 'Bozo' my clown alone as long as Bozo stays close to the anemone. <that's because the anemone is in the secret service> Sure hope that the anemone is fine. If it dies I won't get another, I hate not knowing much about it. <agreed... I many of us have been in your position. But it will not be for naught...you have learned and now you can teach> Anemones seem very tricky and I don't like the uncertainty, <very much the case... I would like to see reduced import of most anemone species and the subsequent higher prices that would cause to reduce impulse purchases> it is hard enough keeping an eye on the various levels in the tank etc, without having to wonder if your anemone is dead or alive and worrying about your levels and other fish because of it. If I had known Sebaes were this delicate I would not have gotten it in the first place. I was sure misinformed! <no worries... it gets better from here> Anthony do you recommend any other sites that I may try where I can get accurate info on anemones and other saltwater aquarium fish? Sorry this was so long! <honestly... while I'm sure there are many good sites out there, misinformation abounds. Anyone that knows how to web publish can suddenly be an expert. The very best place to find good information in my opinion is at aquarium societies and conferences. If you have a local aquarium club...great. And whether you do or don't, the occasional road trip to a regional conference is well worth it. At such meetings you get cutting edge information and camaraderie from people who are not trying to sell you something! What city are you from?> Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate it!! :)Kathy <The pleasure is mine. Anthony Calfo> Sebae and Clownfish Hi Anthony, <Buona notte, Katerina> Yes I am a nurse and I live in Miami, and I enjoy scuba diving in the Keys. How about you? Where do you live? And what do you do for a living? I find this site I joined, that you are a part of, is very informative as there are many people there, like yourself, as you have said that have been in my shoes and have learned so now they teach. <Living in beautiful SW Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh)...enjoy SCUBA too, recently sold my business (coral greenhouse) and then wrote a book on the subject. I'm using the time off to write... I have a second book nearly finished on an unrelated subject (child abuse) and will hopefully have the second volume of my Book of Coral Propagation finished by Christmas... at this work pace, I may lose my Generation X privileges <smile>> My anemone is still looking ok. He was settled in my tank before I took him out. It had stuck itself to the wall of the tank in the corner at the front. < a good sign....perhaps adjusting to its desired level of light/water flow> I put him back in the same spot but he moved near the back again. I guess he needs to find his spot again!! LOL Probably it will move back to the front again later. We will see. <just toying with you...hehe> Bozo of course is snuggled right up inside it rocking up and down. Happier than a pig in you know what!! Thanks for you help!! Kathy <ahhh, yes...let's have faith that it will pull through. It's a good sign that it hasn't stepped off of the train yet. When they die, they wipe out fast. Please update us in the future. Kindly, Anthony> White Sebae anemone...Argghhh Hi Bob <Anthony Calfo here
digging hard and fast into a bag of Chex mix like there is gold at the
bottom!> I am new to this site and was looking for some information
on sebae anemones and True Percula Clownfish. I was a little disturbed
when I read a few articles on your site. <as you should be> I had
looked for information on some other sites which said that the Sebae
anemone was pretty hardy and was a good match for my Percula clown.
<inaccurate on both counts in my opinion too> Yet on your site I
get the impression that the opposite is true. I am confused now. I just
bought a Sebae today and put it in the tank. It seems to have embedded
itself into the sand and is in a corner in my tank. <the problem
with sebae anemones is largely shipping induced (bleached/ stressed
animals). If you anemone is yellow or white... there is a very good
chance that it will not live to see two months let alone six months or
older. Turning a darker/dirty brown color would be a GOOD sign of
recovery. They should be richly brown with dark purple tips for
most> My Percula seems to be staying away from it for now. When I
first bought my Percula he was living in a white Sebae anemone.
<Somewhat unusual...not a typical host anemone for this picky clown
species. A white sebae will die in months regardless from attrition
(expelled zooxanthellae no longer providing carbon)> That was about
a month ago. Does it take them time to 'find' the anemone?
<case by case> How long does it take for my Clown to accept the
anemone, usually? Are there times when the Clown will not accept the
anemone, if there are what are the usual reasons why they won't?
<see above> I read that the Sebae anemone was pretty hardy. A
number of other sites say they are, is this true? <don't believe
everything you read <smile>... I'm not selling sebae's,
clownfish or any livestock for that matter <wink>> Thanks for
your help! I really enjoy your site, it is very helpful. Kathy <very
best of luck to you, kindly... Anthony> Anemone question Hello Bob....Happy new year! <And to you Feliz anno nuevo> My question is about a sebae anemone. I have had this specimen for several months now, and am quite happy. There were some uncertain times, like when it appeared to be expelling symbiotic algae, and when it wouldn't attach, but it has been doing great for the past 3 or 4 months. In researching, it would appear that it is a good thing when the anemone takes on a slightly dingy color (algae replacement?) <Yes> . This is happening with mine. Every day since attachment in it's permanent spot, this anemone fully inflates, and is beautiful. It is very reactive to touch, and light movement. My question is relating to feeding this animal. I have tried giving it chunky items such as fish, shrimp, etc., but even though it reacts and closes upon the food item placed within it's tentacles, I usually find the piece of shrimp on the substrate a little while later. The other problem is my pesky cleaner shrimp, it is not deterred in the least by the anemone tentacles and steals mercilessly. <Best to "spray" the anemone with a baster food/blend of meaty foods and vitamins once, twice a week... after giving "Mr. Shrimp" something on the opposite side of the system> This is usually fixed by feeding the shrimp first, but you already know that works :-). Should I be concerned that this anemone isn't eating enough, or is observation my best ally here? <Only if you are actually think its health is impugned... seems fine from here> I feed twice or more per day (the tank, not the anemone) using a variety including Nori, prepared pellets, flake, and a "homebrewed" concoction resembling the one in your book. These items are fed intermittently, no rhyme or reason to the pattern, just whatever suits my mood. When I feed the frozen blend, I usually thaw first, and then dump. This results in a cloud of particles whirring about the system. Is it likely that this anemone is getting what it needs from the particles it filters/grasps during this feeding? <Yes... don't need much... Heteractis crispa derive a good deal of nutrition from photosynthesis, dissolved organic carbon, detritus/fecal material> I don't usually see it capturing anything, but seeing isn't always that important. <You are correct. Profoundly so> This anemone does have a large tomato clown that is in love with it, and a coral banded shrimp that hangs out directly underneath it. <These animals are assuring the anemone gets enough nutrition> Often times the shrimp will tap the anemone with it's antenna, not sure why, it just does. From my reading, it seems that sebae anemones rely heavily on the lighting for symbiotic algae production, and also eat meaty foods. Does it seem obvious that I'm missing something in the care of this animal? <Nothing I am aware of> My H2O parameters are great, the only area that I'm working on is the SG. It is currently at 1.021. I was treating a parasitic outbreak on the clown with lowered SG but now am VERY slowly raising this by adding pre-mixed makeup water instead of fresh top off water. Sorry for the long message, many questions. <No worries> Jason By the way, I hope to be joining MARS (Sacto) this year....Hope to meet you there some time! <We certainly will meet. I look forward to it. Bob Fenner> Pink Tipped Anemone Mr. Fenner <Call me Bob> Another quick one - I have a Pink Tipped Anemone in my 6 week old 90 gallon. It was white when I got it, but it is slowly turning brownish. <A good sign> My inexperienced opinion would be that I am losing it. Otherwise it seems to be doing fine. I have two Percula Clownfish but they don't go anywhere near it. All water tests are good. Is this normal or is my fear correct. <They are not white in the wild. Likely re-incorporating algal symbionts. Your Clownfish are not likely involved. Bob Fenner> Thanks in advance John Kummer Help identifying an anemone I have been searching the web for
over a week now trying to find some information that will match. I
recently purchased a sebae anemone (Heteractis crispa) from a local
shop, and after getting the critter home, went on a mass information
search. Good quality images have been hard to find, but the anemone I
have looks pretty identical to the one listed at
http://www.marinedepotlive.com/1123874.html. My trouble is I have seen
similar looking anemone's classified as bubble and sebae. <The
animal shown is H. crispa, sold in the trade most often as a/the Sebae
Anemone> On the majority of non shop sites, the Sebaes are shown
with much longer tentacles and darker colors. <This is indeed what
they look like in the wild... consequent with their collection is
(almost always) a loss of endosymbiotic algae (the source of color)>
Unfortunately, the lack of quality images on the hobby sites, has left
me wondering what exactly I do have. I'm just under a year into
this hobby and this is my first anemone, and I'd really enjoy
seeing him thrive. Thanks for your generosity with your time and
knowledge. <Thank you for writing. Please see here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemones.htm and other Anemone articles,
FAQs posted. I have many images of this species, some bizarrely colored
(by humans) for sale in the hobby. Bob Fenner> |
|
Features: |
|
Featured Sponsors: |