Help! Anemone Bleaching!

[theonella]

I don't know why, but my four Entacmaea Quadricolors have bleached. One is recovering the zooxanthellae, but the others have shrunk and I am very concerned. Since they have lost their symbiotic algae I assume they are not getting the nutrition that they need. Is their anything that I can do to help them get back the symbionts? Should I attempt to feed them? I never had to feed them before, I think the Maroon Clown did it for me. Any advice from bubble tip owners would be welcome.

Thanks

 

[reefsnreptiles1]

What is your tank setup and lighting like? More often than not anemones will expel their zooxanthellae from lack of sufficient lighting.

I would begin feeding them right away. Silversides, krill and mysis are just a few things to try feeding.

 

[theonella]

Thank you:

I think you are correct. I have PC lighting, and I did not change it on the regular schedule. Normally, I change the PC's every 6 months. I did let it go. Shame on me.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Len]

Have you done any water changes or added any new supplements/additives lately? Temperature is also a suspect since it's what causes the most bleachings in the wild.

 

[Anonymous]

Get close to the tank and take a wiff. Make sure they are not dying. Six months is not a long time for PCs. I ran them between a year to 18 months and my BTAs were healthy and split many times. I suspect a water quality issue or something in the food. I lost three BTAs to food poisoning. Your clown will not have the same reaction to food poisoning as an anemone. Check and double check your test readings. Suplements are also something to look into. Do you dose? If you dose anything you must have an accurate test to avoid overdosing. Heat may be an issue in the summer months, however I had my BTAs subjected to temps up to 90*F some summers and they faired very well.

Keep us updated.

 

[guppychao]

len what is the ideal temp for the bubble tips, mine are also shrinking and bleaching. i have switched to 250 watt de metal halides and adding supplements. i have been trying to feed them but the just spit it out.
whats funny is that i gave one of them away to a friend and its doing great under 55 watt pc's, Im baffled

 

[guppychao]

len what is the ideal temp for the bubble tips, mine are also shrinking and bleaching. i have switched to 250 watt de metal halides and adding supplements. i have been trying to feed them but the just spit it out.
whats funny is that i gave one of them away to a friend and its doing great under 55 watt pc's, Im baffled

 

[Anonymous]

The jury is still out on BTA temps. But I think collection sites or the tank they are raised in will determine their individual preference. Which I also feel you can slowly acclimate them to new temps that the aquarist desires. The range is between 76 to 84*F. I kept mine at 82-84 degrees for years and had nothing but success with health and division.

 

[bashcraft]

I lost three BTAs to food poisoning. Your clown will not have the same reaction to food poisoning as an anemone.

What makes you think it was food poisoning?

 

[Anonymous]

I had feed the food to three of the four BTAs and the only one that survived was the one BTA that didn't eat it. Much of the food was regurgitated the night they were fed and the next morning. It was a brand new package of prawns and it was the first portion from the package. My parameters were all up to par and nothing changed as far as test results and supplement additions. Nothing else in the tank showed any signs of stress until the BTAs had their meltdown. Through the process of elimination I was left with food poisoning as the culprit.