Anemone question about normal behavier

[Max]

My new to my tank Florida Condi is usually very healthy looking. He found a nice spot to plant his foot ( with my help ). Seems happy exept for maybe a little reaching twards the lite. New lite is on its way. But anyway, most times he fat and plump but every now and then he shrivels up to half its size. Turns just a tad darker and looks pretty bad. This is the first Anemone ive had so I dont know if its normal or not. Doesnt seem normal but what do I know. He comes back in a few minutes and is the same puffy healthy self. He eats fine at least so far. Ive only fed him once since I got him 2 days ago.
What do you think?

[mdrury]

I am not familiar with this particular species of anenome, but I think most anenomes shrink down and expel all of the water in their bodies to release their waste products. They may do this several times per day or only a few times per week, depending on the species and their health. Anyone else care to comment?

[zhenya]

They may do this several times per day or only a few times per week, depending on the species and their health. Anyone else care to comment?

It may also depend on amount of food and type of food that anemone had for dinner. Some foods get utilised completely with almost no waste to expell.
My Entacmaeas rarely expell anything and they eat a lot of food, fish mostly.

Max, your Condylactis gigantea anemone is a true giant anemone and will require quite a bit of space. I hope you took that in consideration.

[Max]

Well I did and I didnt. Still getting my feet wet sorta speak. He has plenty of room to grow in his present position. I have a few corals to and I read that he isnt the best for a coral tank because of the chance he may sting them so this and the fact he will get big has made me think about how log he can stay in this tank and if i have to put him in my 55 gallon. Im still learning what to do as well as what I like. Im hooked on corals but have always liked to have a beutiful anemone. Time will tell as far as what is most important to me and in what tank i deside to keep things.

As far as him expelling waste, I will let him be for a few days and see if it was due to me feeding him that made him expell or its something else. Being new to my tank I fed him the first day and he seemed healthy. Ill just have to keep my eye on him. He doesnt look real bad.. just gets thin sometimes but he is new here so I quess time will tell.

[Max]

Well my Anemone seems to be ok. I thought for sure he was dying when I saw what looked like his guts spewing out of his mouth when he was all shrunk up.
But it must have been his waste. He puffed back up and is as happy as he ever looked. Here is a pic of before and after. He does this pretty often, once or twice a day. That seems a bit much to me but I am going to watch how often he does it and ajust the amount of food he gets and see if it makes a difference.

Oh and by the way, The algae im getting on my rocks, good or bad?

[zhenya]

Max,

How long have this tank been set up? It looks like Diatom type algae to me, usually indicative of the new set up that has not finished cycling. I hope that is not the case.

[Max]

Well, Its been up for 5 weeks, I cycled it with live rock and some of a friends filter material. The water levels are fine. 0 ammnia 0 nitrites and the smallest amount of nitrates. ph is 8.2 and temp is 78. I think its ok at least what ive read and been told by a friend. Unless I really dont know exactly what consists of a truly cycled tank.

If so please tell me.

[zhenya]

Well, Its been up for 5 weeks, I cycled it with live rock and some of a friends filter material. The water levels are fine. 0 ammnia 0 nitrites and the smallest amount of nitrates. ph is 8.2 and temp is 78. I think its ok at least what ive read and been told by a friend. Unless I really dont know exactly what consists of a truly cycled tank.

If so please tell me.

Hi Max,

I suppose technically the cycling is finished if you judge by your water tests. I highly doubt, however, that it is suitable for introduction of delicate and hard to care for animal such as anemone. Not to start a big ole debate about it, just my opinion. Having gone through some similar issues about six years ago, I feel that cycling tank is one thing but choosing apropriate first animal is another. I truly think that introducing a hardy fish as a first animal is much better choice, along with a good clean up crew such as snails and various detritivores. Safer on a expense account too. ;)

[Reefland]

Max,

It does appear that your tank is cycled, but not near stable or mature enough to support a Condylactis gigantea. Since your tank is only 5 weeks old, I would not expect the Anemone to live very long, at this stage your tank is only suited for a hardy fish, some clean up critters and maybe a hardy coral. I would suggest you remove the Anemone until the proper conditions can be provided.

As zhenya stated, the algae that you are seeing are Diatoms, indicative and common in a new aqaurium. Increased flow and some snails will help but mostly, they will go away in due time, as the reef matures.

[Samper]

Hey max.....I made this same mistake when I first set up my aquarium with the same anemone species. Mine made it through just fine until an unfortunate accident about 2 months ago so keep your fingers crossed and don't make the same mistake again. BTW I'm wondering if you know why the anemone has the name gigantea in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Max]

Yea I have been told that he grows quite large but thats just fine by me. My new 55 gallon tank is fild with water and I think that my 44 gallon he is in will be his and mostly his alone if he makes it. I really dont have anywhere to put him so I will do my very best to keep my water as stable as I can till it ages. I knew better than to get him when I did but I quess I shouldnt say that since I got him anyway. He has moved to his own spot now unassisted by me and where he picked is just fine. He can get to be a big son of a gun right where he is. Plenty of room to grow and he is looking pretty good since he found his spot. puffier than ever.

Thanks for the warnings from all of you. I will not make the same mistake again.

And hey Samper, How often did you feed yours and how offten did he expell??
I slowed the amount that I feed him to twice a week but he seems to expell at least 2 times a day. He really looks bad when he does that but as bad as he looks he comes back bigger and brighter than before. Im no judge of health by any means and I know that there is no way to say he is doing fine but If I was to guess Id say he looks great. ( except when he expells, looks like death warmed over)

[Samper]

I feed my anemone once a week, alternating between a half silverside and a small piece of shrimp. He usually takes a crap the day I feed. If I had a larger tank I might feed it twice a week.