every few days my ritteri looks like this

[Doreen]

every few days around 4pm, my nem deflates so much it looks like its insides are coming out.
is this a normal function for them to poop??? is he going to bed early?? the guy where I bought it doesnt seem concerned only says " yeah they deflate and inflate all the time" He doesnt say "this is normal behaviour for them. DON'T worry!!!"

SO I am worried. has anyone seen this behaviour in their nem??


:shout:

okay.... no how do I put in the pictures???
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww120/doudare/ritt2.jpg

[Doreen]

http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww120/doudare/ritt1.jpg
deflated
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww120/doudare/ritt3.jpg
what is coming out the mouth??

[Amphibious]

Yup, probably poop. Anemones will inflate and deflate from time to time. In my experience, they do it more often when first introduced to their “final” home. Think of the journey they’ve been on to get to your home. They’ve been yanked out of the ocean, bagged and transported through various holding facilities, in water of dubious quality, under the care of God knows who. Does any one along the way really care if they are treated with care and respect? The true answer would infuriate us all. I’ve been in the hobby and business a long time and I’ve seen some pretty crappy holding facilities.

Then you have the variable of systems we house them in. Is it adequate? Two problems come to mind immediately. Too small of quarters and not enough light. Combine those with an Anemone that comes in in poor shape and you get a listless critter. He needs time, patience and rest to recoup his former nobility. Do not feed him at this time. I wish you hadn’t introduced the clowns at this point. Clowns and Anemones go together like vanilla ice cream and chocolate. But this anemone needs to rest and recover without the constant annoyance of the fish. That’s my take on your Anemone. It may very well come around but it takes time. With the fish it may take longer.

Dick

[saltaddict]

Hi Doreen!

How long have you had it? How long have the clowns been with it?

[Doreen]

We have had him for 6 weeks now. The clowns took their time going to him. I have a 250 MH ballast on order....WAITing for it to get here. At the moment he is sitting maybe 12 inches below T5 HO 4 bulbs. will post the specs after work when I get home. I feed him brine/mysis once a week Should I change it, feed more??
when the nem does this he looks beautiful the next morning. I had one of the T5's burn out and not sure how long he was with out that light.

[Amphibious]

I would not change your feeding schedule at this time. When he is deflated, how long does he stay that way? What size aquarium is he in? What are your water parameters? How much flow do you have in the tank?

[Doreen]

woohoo ballast is in, but have to wait til sunday to get it. I have a 10000k mh bulb for it.

lighting 4 t5 HO bulbs. standard 6500k, 10000k daylight, 15000 midwater bulb and 460 actinic

Tank is 71 gal, temp sitting at 80. calcium is 420, kh 11, ph is 8.2, salinity just above 1.024. nitrates and ammonia 0.
2 ocellaris, banggai cardinal, scooter blenny, cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, 2 brittle stars, 3 nerite snails, 3 nassarius snails.

not sure about the flow gph. he sits infront of a topfin power head 420 and the return from the marineland filter. the return pump is probably doing 200 gph.

when he deflates like in the photo around 4 pm he stays that way until morning.

[Doreen]

these are what the nem usually looks like
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww120/doudare/saltwater%20tank/IMG_0928.jpg
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww120/doudare/saltwater%20tank/IMG_0984.jpg
http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww120/doudare/saltwater%20tank/IMG_0922.jpg

[Amphibious]

I think it is making a recovery from the trauma of capture and shipping as outlined in my previous post. Keep in mind, Anemones are mostly tissue, muscle and water. There’s not much to them. They are considered a lower form of life.

Thanks for the pics, Doreen. Keep us informed.

[Doreen]

does everything look okay with the parameters I listed above the pictures?

How long should I leave the 250w MH 10000k bulb running to start with??

Is there enough light for him with the 250w mh and the T5's 10000k and 460 actinic? or should I swap the 10000k for the 15000k

[CarmieJo]

I like my SpG at 1.025 but I think your parameters are pretty good. How are you measuring SpG with a hydrometer or refractometer? You might want to consider adding some more flow from something like a Korallia. What are the dimensions of the 71?

How long were you burning the T5's?

[Doreen]

I am measuring the Salinity with a hydrometer. The refractometer will be a christmas present.

The 2 T5's fixtures were turning on 7:00 and 8:00am and then off at 7:30 and 8:30pm. But there is only one T5 on now. I don't want to harm the tank by leaving the MH on to long to start.

tank dimensions 36Wx20Hx23L

[CarmieJo]

Hydrometers tend to be consistent but may not be accurate. If your LFS uses a refractometer to test SpG with you can use that to calibrate your hydrometer.

If I was you I would start out adding an hour of MH a day and increase it every couple days. Probably 6 hrs of MH a day would be enough. I think your T5's are fine light wise. If you want a bluer look you ccan swap out the 10K for the 15K. It depends on the brand but the 10K should provide more par than a 15K.

I would add a couple of Korallia 3 or 4 powerheads to add some more flow in the tank.

[Doreen]

Thank you CarmieJo. I will do what you suggested with the lighting and take a sample to the LFS to get them to test my water. and start shopping for another or more powerheads to add to the tank.