Help! Anemone not happy!

[Capn]

I purchased what the LFS called a "flat" anemone a couple years ago that really grew and did well hosting my perculas. I believe it is really a purple long tentacle.

Anyway, everything was fine until my F%&*#$! Rio blew and electrocuted the tank. Since then, it wont eat. It seems to try adn eat, but the food just falls to the ground and the hermits get it.

I've been trying different foods, and it just wont eat. I've been hoping that it's getting enough from the perculas flake food, but recently it has bailed from it's rock and now is on the substrate. It's contracted to about half it's size and seems on it's way out.

Any ideas?

TIA,

Cap

 

[SteveP]

My LTA wouldn't eat for the first month when I got it. If they're not happy they won't eat. Since it fell to the substrate (where it really should be) it's got to get itself settled again. Is it moving around at all, looking for a new spot to anchor itself? Assuming it isn't fatally injured by the electrocution (damn Rio's

) it may take a week or more to dig in. BTW, they prefer fine sand to gravel so if you've got aragonite or crushed coral as your substrate it may take even longer. Good luck!

Steve
8{I

[ August 31, 2001: Message edited by: SteveP ]

 

[jdeets]

Cap, have you tested for copper? It's possible that the exploding pump contaminated your water. Just a thought of something you might test to see if you get a reading on it.

I'm by no means an expert on anemones, but I have learned that its detaching from the rock is not a good sign.

Do you have a hospital tank that is uncontaminated that you could put him in to see if there is something in the display tank that is causing his decline?

I'm sorry I can't be of more help, just a couple of ideas. Hopefully you'll get some more definite feedback.

 

[Capn]

Now it's puking it's guts out. Is there any chance it will recover or should I yank it?

 

[davelin315]

I think that if it can't hold food, it's nematocysts are damaged, otherwise the food would stick to it. That probably means some sort of damage to it's nervous system (do anemone's have one?) or whatever controls the nematocysts. My guess is that if it can't grip food, it'll die anyway, and the fact that you said it's just dumped it's guts probably means it's dead. It could just be pooping, but the combination of factors would suggest to me it's time to come out. Touch it with your finger and see if it sticks to you. If it does, forget what I said about the nematocysts and maybe it'll recover. If it doesn't stick, pull it out and try and revive it elsewhere.

 

[jmeader]

From what you have described, I believe that jdeets is correct. It sounds like a copper or poison reaction. Get it out of that tank now and pray it's not too late.