Help!! my Bubble Tip Anemone is acting strange

[digby]

My red Bubble Tip Anemone has suddenly moved down to the bottom of the tank and backed into a hole. It's all shriveled up and shaking. My clown fish is still trying to get inside of it. It's been perfectally fine for months. Living near the top of the tank spreading its tentacles wide open and filling-up with water. Per the fish store advice I have been suplementing it's diet with frozen Krill (about twice a week). All of the tank chem and water levels are normal. Any advice would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks,

Bob

[scubadude]

Welcome to RL

Some more specs on yer tank might be helpful. Like size, flow, lighting, performed any test? SG, Temp, Alk, PH, any changes recently in the system? This can usually get the ball rolling. It may just be moving where it wants to be possibly?

[digby]

Hi Rocky,

Thanks for the quick response. My specs are... 18 gal mini reef tank w/ 2 Maxi-jet 900 power heads. PH range is between 7.8 - 8.4 depending on the time of day. I run a protein skimmer and the lighting is 50/50 96 watts. I add a calcium buffer about every other day. I keep the temp right around 80'. I do add a 1/2 drop of Lugol's solution about once a week. All of the other reef creatures are doing fine. That would be a purple tang, clown fish, 2 bubble corals, etc...

I've read that an anemone will move to a more secure area before spliting, but I'm not sure that's whats happening here. It has moved around on a regular basis (to new location in tank) about every 3 - 4 weeks. I've had the anemone and clown fish for about 3 months. I'll add a photo of my tank to the gallery. I already have a pic of my hiding anemone up there.

Thanks, Bob

[Reefland]

digby,

Here are a couple of suggestions for you.

First of all the Purple Tang is not appropriate for your 18 gallon tank. It's always difficult trying to get that point across without sounding harsh but there is really no way to do it; they simply are not suitable for a tank that small and will eventually die from stress due to an improper environment.

Secondly the addition of Iodine could be problematic unless you know that your iodine levels are below NSW levels and the addition you are using is not elevating your total iodine above that level.

[digby]

Scott,

Thanks for the info about the purple tang. What's the minimum size tank you would recommend for a tang? I've been toying with the idea of going to a 25 - 30 gal tank. Also in regards to the iodine... I've been a bit dubious about adding it at all. I've read that it's not necessary and it does not break down over time making for potential problems downline. I have not tested for iodine levels because at this point I've only added about 3 drops over the period of 3 months. It sounds like I need to get to the LFS and pick up a test kit for this.

Thanks,
Bob

[golfish]

Scott,

Thanks for the info about the purple tang. What's the minimum size tank you would recommend for a tang?

I'd say a 120 for all tangs....give or take a gal or two.