[Holly]

My LTA has been skiddish and unwilling to attach since I've gotten it, though it opens fully during the day, eats well, and seems to have grown. I've had it for a couple of weeks.

Yesterday, it disappeared behind some rocks, and today when it drifted back out, it had this bump on its side that looks like maybe it was injured.

Any ideas?

(My parameters are in line; my corals, fish, and other anemone look great. The pic is blurry, but in person, it looks like maybe it was punctured..?)

THANKS.

[kevinpo]

If the tissue is intact (not cut) then I would not worry about it. M. doreensis like low flow and moderate light (VHO's or PC's) at least. They will do well under metal halide but may hide under overhangs or in the rocks. They like meaty foods such as raw shrimp cut about the size of a pencil eraser. Silversides cut into quarters are also a good food. Feed once or twice a week. If you feed more often they will get quite large (18-24" across) in a few months.

HTH,
Kevin

[Holly]

I don't think the skin IS intact. Here's a pic I took this morning. It's more clear.

[Ninong]

You have to make sure you don't have any exposed powerhead intakes that the anemone might come into contact with.

[Holly]

I don't have any intakes anywhere near the bottom. I have 4 MJs and a Tunze, but they're all at the top (pic).

[Ninong]

Anemones can travel all over the tank.

[Holly]

Yes. Both of mine used to travel all over (my BTA now stays put pretty-much), but do you really think it was able to get high enough to get sucked into the side of a powerhead?

This LTA hasn't attached his foot to anything since it's been here. It seems to like to lie on the sand under part of a rock or shelf, rather than attach, and it moves a lot at night. I never know where it will be in the morning.

[kevinpo]

Yes the tissue looks damaged. It is not a good sign. I do not know why they sometimes get those but recovery is not a high likelyhood. I doubt it was from your powerheads (they do not free themselves once sucked into the powerhead unless it is turned off). Keep a close eye on it and if it begins to turn itself inside out or fall apart remove it pronto.

Regards,
Kevin
PS: Powerheads and anemones are a bad combination unless the intakes are covered by a sponge filter.

[Holly]

Anemone seemed to be doing better, but now it looks bad overall, tho the sore spot itself actually looks a little better. I have one of those plastic floating divider boxes. Should I float him in that to protect him or just let him be? (I had to carefully dig him out from behind the rocks where he was hiding; My concern is that he'll get back there again, but where I can't reach, and die, causing a water issue.) thanks!

[kevinpo]

Digging them up can cause them to die. It is best to leave them alone and just keep a close eye on them. If they bury their foot into the substrate or attach to the rockwork it is a good sign. Normally your species buries its foot in the substrate all the way to the bottom of the tank.

Regards,
Kevin

[Holly]

When I said "dig" I actually meant I had to squoosh my hand and arm down behind the rocks in the very back. The LTA was lying out on the sand on its side behind the rock, not footed to anything.

It's been taking food and partially open, so I've had hope that maybe it'll make it. =/

This is the best pic I could get, but this is what it's looking like right now.

Thanks for the head's up on the footed-in-the-sand thing. I thought they preferred to foot onto rocks, like my BTA.

[kevinpo]

Hi Holly,
If it is eating that's a good sign. If they are sick they will stop eating right away and soon lose their stickyness. If you touch the tentacles and they feel sticky that's a good sign. Sometimes they take the food but in a few min they let it go. This can mean they are just full, the piece is too large, or they are sick. So you have to be careful you don't jump to the wrong conclusion if this happens

Regards,
Kevin