Anemone hitched a ride, and now Im stuck with it.

[Frozyn]

Hello all.

Right off the bat, I'll tell ya Im a total newbie. Just started my 20g saltwater aqaruim about 6 weeks ago. Let me get to the setup:

20g glass tank
Orbit 65w CF 10,000k with blue 65w actinic, 2 lunar lights on a timer.
20lbs live rock, cured with good algae blooms (I think)
wet/dry filter
powerhead (not sure of the gpm atm)
heater
1 damsel
10 red-tiped hermits
1 snail
1 blood red fire shrimp
1 banded shrimp

So, Im 6 weeks into my saltwater tank experience, when I decided to purchase the last piece of live rock to create a small cavern for my tank. I got it from my LPS, took it home, did the nessesary precautions, then rockscaped.

2 hours later...

Out of a small hole, comes these white tentacles...

I have an anemone...

And I believe its a condy anemone.

Now, Im freaking out at this point. Called my LPS, he wont take it back. He said it wasnt on the rock, and that it didnt belong to him (he's an older, stubborn kinda guy, but he's like a grandpa to me). So he said that its mines to do with, and gave me some pointers to help me keep it alive.

I figure Im in trouble now. I wanted to do some soft corals later as the tank matures, but not an anemone so soon!

Anyways, Im hoping someone will give me pointers on how to keep it alive. From what Ive read on these forums so far, I think Im gonna be labled an anemone-killer hehe.

2 days ago, I fed him a piece of shrimp (LPS owner said it was ok) about the size of his mouth. He snatched it up eagerly. He looked so full and healthy...

But now, he's going from full bloom, too semi-deflated, to fully deflated then the cycle repeats. I figure he's pooping, but I realy cant tell if he's sick, dying, or just sulking. And Im nervous guys, cause I dont realy want to kill him.

Any, and I mean any advice right now would be greatly appreciated!

Jon

[boozeman]

can you post a pic of this hitchhiking anemone ?

[Frozyn]

Sorry, friend borrowed my camera, so this was taken with my phone. Best I can do atm.

pH 8.2
SG 1.022
temp 78
ammonia 0
Nitrate 10
Nitrite .25

[BigAl07]

I'd SAY an Anemone! That's one heck of a Hitch Hiker!!

Do you have any "Reef Friends" who could take it? It's going to need more light than you have on your tank buddy. Not to be mean but they LIVE from the light. They have a very slow metabolism and some people "think" they are having success with them because they live for a few months in their tanks. They just take a LONG time to slowly starve to death due to inadequate light. Yes they do eat some foods but their main source of food is the photosynthetic organisms inside of them that absorb the light and give of simple sugars which they absorb and process for energy.

PLEASE please please consider giving this beautiful creature a new home where it stands a chance of long term survival.

Good luck buddy.

Allen

[Frozyn]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

I'd SAY an Anemone! That's one heck of a Hitch Hiker!!

Do you have any "Reef Friends" who could take it? It's going to need more light than you have on your tank buddy. Not to be mean but they LIVE from the light. They have a very slow metabolism and some people "think" they are having success with them because they live for a few months in their tanks. They just take a LONG time to slowly starve to death due to inadequate light. Yes they do eat some foods but their main source of food is the photosynthetic organisms inside of them that absorb the light and give of simple sugars which they absorb and process for energy.

PLEASE please please consider giving this beautiful creature a new home where it stands a chance of long term survival.

Good luck buddy.

Allen

Thanks Allen. Ive been reading from this site for awhile now and I value your knowledge and info. Thats why Im worried about this anemone. I wasnt planing on having one in this tank, let alone being that Im a total noob hehe.

I wouldnt mind giving him up to a better home, but there are none readily available in the area. Since the LPS wont take him, Im at a loss as to what to do.

I noticed a lot of other reefers (I love being able to use that word again in a non-controlled substance kinda way lol) have started nano's with great success in a short amount of time, but I AM the patient type. So this "plot twist" has stressed me a little. I've also noticed that you dont really care about these "speed cycling" tanks hehe. Honestly, I dont blame ya. This little bugger was not in my plan.

If you have any advice on how I can get this little bugger to a nice home, then Im all for it.

Jon

[BigAl07]

You have read up. Apparently my reputation preceeds me (not always a good thing I might add).

Just to be totally honest I am NOT into "Speed Cycling" but at the same time I have to admit my wife's tank "Speed Cycled" whether I like it or not

One reason why we suggest you wait "long term" for these is because they demand VERY stable and high quality water conditions. They don't tolerate change very well at all and need the highest quality water you can provide.

Since you admit you're a "Noob" that gives great concern to short term stability. You have to learn certain things and unfortunately some of those "lessons" will be from mistakes. It's not that a NOOB can NOT maintain high water quality but there are so many variables that affect water quality that it's hard to mentally grasp them all. That's a key reason why they need a well established tank. Given the fact we are talking about a "Nano" tank that just increases the "Err" factor substantially.

Also take into account that when/if (honestly more likely when) that critter expires it will easily and quickly "Nuke" your tank. With less than 20g of water to work with it will be very easy and quick to get out of whack. Trust me when I Say... when it does it's NOT pretty.. NOT easy and usually NOT CHEAP! I had a simple little $8 critter nuke my tank in just a matter of hours and I can't tell you how much I lost in CORALS! I lost a VERY nice (and large) Finger Leather that was AWESOME! If only I had know then.....

But alas there's really not much you can do if you can't "unload" it. I can tell you one thing I WOULD do.... If I woke up in your shoes I can assure you I would NOT set foot in that LPS ever again. If they can't help me when I need them most... then they don't NEED my money or my good words about them. My money is too hard to come by to give it to someone who isn't willing to help me out. I'd turn my back on him and make sure ANYONE who would listen to me would know exactly how "Pops" treated me when I needed some help.

Hope that doesn't come off as TOO harsh but I'm more about telling you what you NEED to hear rather than "Sugar coating" it hoping you will eventually get the truth. I've been there.. got the T-shirt and hat!!

Good luck buddy! Remember Life Is GOOD

[goldenmean]

Im not sure what type of nem he is.
He doesnt look like the condy that I had. Mine went power head diving.
If he is not a condy Id say he looks bleeched out too.

To find a good home let us know where you are. There could be someone here on RS that lives close to you that may want him.
You could also try to find him a home on craigs list.
Oh also check to see if there are any reef clubs in your area.

Good Luck!

[Dentoid]

Welcome Jon! I'm not too sure that is a condy either. At any rate, short of removing the rock he is on, you'll have to wait until he moves to a suitable spot for removal. Cool HH though!

[kathywithbirds]

DO keep feeding it though. Food of preference seems to be silversides.

I dunno, I'm only a year into this, but it KINDA looks like a BTA?? Stretched out??

[tbittner]

I think it looks like a Sebae. I'm also not sure that you don't have enough light. You have some pretty good lights.

The thing that WILL hurt though it the presence of nitrItes. That will be hard on ANY life in your tank.

[Frozyn]

Thanks guys and gals!

Well, I called around (I live in Portsmouth, Ohio) and the only other saltwater store is in Ashland, KY...

..owned by the same guy at my local store...

Im in a rural, very poor area, so theres really no clubs, or even other reefers to speak of. So I guess Im debating on trying to keep this little bugger alive, or by a larger tank with all the trimmings.

I dont really want to buy a large tank until my knowledge of caring for a reef is much more solid.

Before I forget, the anemone has started to change its color from bleached, to a pinkish red center, with a brownish/greenish tentacles(?) Not sure what they are called. What should this be telling me?

The clownfishes have not even atempted to bond with the anemone, so Im pretty worried about that. Thats why I thought it might be a condy.

sigh...I really dont want to nuke my tank...

[Wolfgang8810]

Ill start by saying I am NOT an expert nor have i ever had an anemone, however, I do know that my LFS is keeping a RBTA in their red sea max and iver the last 2 weeks it has split in two and one half moved to a new location. also their tank dosen't have much more lighting than your tank so i would be inclined to say that it could live pretty well. The only thing i would see as a problem is the nitrates and nitrites as others have said here already. If it goes elmers glue white take the rock out and scrape the bugger off before it nukes your tank

[vdituri]

If it is coloring up, I would think that is a good thing.
They are photosynthetic for the most part, but can eat meaty foods.

[Frozyn]

Well, looks like I might have found the anemone a home, at a seafood restaurant LOL! A buddy of mines went drinking with the owner tonight, and they will be at my house in the morning to check the little bugger out!

I feel much better now hehe.

Now I can finally concentrate on getting the tank ready for some soft corals.

So..guess I'll ask a question or two on the other thread here.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I really appreciate the info and wisdom of ya'll.

Jon

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by Frozyn

Well, looks like I might have found the anemone a home, at a seafood restaurant LOL! A buddy of mines went drinking with the owner tonight, and they will be at my house in the morning to check the little bugger out!

I feel much better now hehe.

Now I can finally concentrate on getting the tank ready for some soft corals.

So..guess I'll ask a question or two on the other thread here.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I really appreciate the info and wisdom of ya'll.

Jon

That's AWESOME! My hat's off to you for doing the "Right" thing here. I'm impressed!!

Originally Posted by Wolfgang8810

... I do know that my LFS is keeping a RBTA in their red sea max and iver the last 2 weeks it has split in two and one half moved to a new location. also their tank dosen't have much more lighting than your tank so i would be inclined to say that it could live pretty well. ...

They are reported to split as a result of stress from less than stellar conditions. This way different ones can move to different areas trying to ensure survival of the species. They can split for many reasons (not all being good).

Happy Reefing