Newly Introduced Green S. Haddoni

[E.intheC]

On Sunday I picked up a rather large (about 10 inches diameter) bright green S. Haddoni that was at my LFS under a Reefbrite LED strip in a large coral tank. Knock on wood, it looks healthy and was there for about one week.

First, a little about my tank:

It's a one year old, 90 gallon with an Aquactinics Tx5 fixture. Flow comes from a Tunze 6095 and a Koralia Evo 1400, along with about 400 gph from my return pump. (all but the return are currently turned off to allow the 'nem to settle in). I've got a Warner Marine K2 skimmer and carbon/GFO reactor.

This is going to be a haddoni-focused tank. I sold off most of my corals to accommodate the 'nems so the tank does look a bit bare at the moment.

Fish list: 2 Black Saddlebacks, 3x chromis, 2 firefish (that get along great, actually), and a Flame Hawk who's currently in QT. I hope to add a Centropyge and some cardinals or anthias at some point in the future. The Saddles do get rough with it occasionally but nothing TOO bad, yet. Hopefully they will stay that way, as I've grown quite fond of them.

I have another Haddons in the tank, and it's been doing well so far, although at three months, it really hasn't been in the tank all that long to make a firm statement..

Anyway, here's a few pictures. The first is from less than 1/2 hour introduction:

Here's 2 pics from yesterday as it had been under all 5 T5 bulbs yesterday:

And this morning after it had been without light for about 12-13 hours:

 

[E.intheC]

I guess I'm a bit concerned about the mouth opening as can be seen in the above picture, and how I should light-acclimate the Haddon's. Right now the 2x actinic T5 bulbs are on from aprx. 1:30pm-10:30pm and the rest of the bulbs (5 total) are on from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.

I have 2x pieces of staggered egg crate, and the bulbs are about 8-10 inches above the water line.

Also, the foot has mostly attached to the rock and not the sand.. is this something to be concerned with?

Thanks.....

 

[MatthewScars]

you only have the 5 bulbs on for an hour? You need way more than that. I had my old T5 6 bulb on for atleast 4 hours a day and actinics on for 8 hours.

I have mini carpets now under LEDs and they are doing great with that much light.

Id increase the light then try feeding it a silverside.

 

[E.intheC]

I normally have all 5 bulbs on for 6-7 hours, but have been trying to light acclimate the 'nem so as not to bleach it.

The Aquactinics fixture is very good and is normally kept about 3 inches above the water line. I'm considering an upgrade to metal halides or LEDs but I'd rather not at this point.

 

[E.intheC]

And that should have read 7:30, not 4:30... So 4 total hours.

 

[Wolverine57]

You definitely need to have the lights on longer! Nice looking Carpet!

 

[E.intheC]

Even during light acclimation? More than 4 hours?

 

[44santababy]

i wish you the best with that beautiful species.

 

[MatthewScars]

Well i mean, its used to the pet store lighting, which im guessing is close to your normal lighting cycle. So its used to normal lighting and then youre giving it a lot less than its used to.

Just put it on your normal cycle.

 

[fishman1069]

If your worried about light acclimating, you should get some vinyl screen and place 3 pcs on your eggcrate top above the nem and gradually remove them.

 

[E.intheC]

That's a good idea too.
I think I have some screen leftover here.

How does the Nem itself look? Today it's expanded pretty large and the mouth is tight. Looking good to me.

 

[Hecdr34]

How is the haddoni doing?

 

[E.intheC]

Not well.. Both anemones perished. .

They didn't like the combination of a substantial light increase, being loved too much by my saddlebacks, and a sudden, temporary temperature increase. The combination was just too much for them.

I've since broken down my 90 and have an Elos Mini running. No room for carpets in there. And really no desire after the tough loss of my two anemones.

 

[Hecdr34]

Sorry to hear that. It really sucks that such a beautiful species is so hard to keep. I will be giving it a try today with a green haddoni I'm getting. Hopefully it survives and thrives in my tank. Thanks

 

[E.intheC]

Good luck man. My 90 was very stable, well established, and had kept a smaller carpet healthy for over six months. It really doesn't take much to put them over the edge. Theyre beautiful creatures but you're right; difficult to keep alive.

 

[Hecdr34]

Thanks, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Hec