Condy Anemony problem

boxergst · 12/08/2009, 02:13 PM

Hi Guys,

So I have been running my 72 Gal saltwater tank now for about 12-14 weeks and have recently put a Condy Anemone into the tank with a Clarkii and Maroon clownfish. The first two days in the tank, the Condy looked great and the Clarkii had even paired up with it. Today I looked at the Condy and it was shrunk with its tenticls sucked in. I know the anemones can go into shock when put into a new tank but I just want to see if there is anything I can do or should watch for. Also, one of the ballast's on my Odyssea lighting system went out and I currently only have 2 x 65w 10,000K Daylight lights running. Could this be causing the problem.

Salinity = 1.025
PH = 8.3
Temp = 75F

Thanks in advance!

Jersey Bounce · 12/08/2009, 02:47 PM

The clowns might be irritating the anemone since condylactis anemones aren't natural hosts for clowns of any species. Also, have you tested the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in your tank? Since your tank is only 'about 12-14 weeks' old, it may not have yet reached an equilibrium in the nitrogenous waste cycle. Some may say that 12-14 weeks isn't mature enough for any anemone inhabitants at all; many will warn you that keeping a Clarkii and a Biaculeatus (arguably two of the most aggressive clownfish species) in the same tank is playing with fire.

As for the light, I don't know. I would doubt that three days of insufficient or reduced light would cause a healthy anemone to decline.

boxergst · 12/08/2009, 03:07 PM

I have not checked the ammonia, nitrite or nitrate levels, however, i took a sample of water to a tropical fish store and they said that all the levels looked good. I also did a 25% water change prior to adding the new fish and anemone, so I think things should be ok. I would doubt that the Clarkii is irritating the anemone since it was acting the same way with it in the store and employees had told me that both the fish and anemone have been paired like this for a while now. As for the two fish, the Clarkii mainly stays with the anemone and the Maroon stays on the other end on the other end of the tank. They both have been in very close contat with eachother and have shown no signs of aggression yet. Keeping my fingers crossed. Im not sure when I will be able to replace the lighting setup, but should the daylight lighting be ok for now. The other bulbs I have are the 65w blue actinic, but I will prob stay with the 10,000K lights for now.

DC_40gallon · 12/08/2009, 03:07 PM

Mine did the same thing, then it shriveled and disintegrated.

thebanker · 12/08/2009, 03:42 PM

Would not reccommend this type of anemone, they are a caribbean species and I had the same experience as DC40Gallon.

It's my naiive layman's belief that if you have corals in your tank from the south pacific, this anemone reacts negatively to any chemical traces emitted by the coral polyps. Maybe this is wrong, but I hardly ever hear good stories about these. LFS sells them for about $10, probably because they're basically a rental.

These are plentiful in the caribbean, and probably would not react badly to elkhorn/staghorn acropora, or gorgonians native to the caribbean. But who knows, they just don't seem to do well in captivity.

I would not buy another EVER.

boxergst · 12/08/2009, 03:55 PM

I probably will not buy another one after this, but it was only $7 at the time. This is all still a learning process for me, but now I know for future reference.

DC_40gallon · 12/08/2009, 04:04 PM

Wow that's great insight thebanker! I hadn't really thought of the area of species to be a problem. Makes sense though! I'm sticking to frogspawn type corals for my future clowns to host. I'll never do an anemone again. I really don't like how they move around.

lordofthereef · 12/08/2009, 04:08 PM

I have a condy and it does this about once a week or once every two weeks, usually a couple days after feeding when it "poops". The following morning he will be happily opened up. It also came from a mixed reef tank and was doing just fine there too. I would be more nervous that you put it in an immature system than the fact that it is in a tank with different species personally.

lordofthereef · 12/08/2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebanker

LFS sells them for about $10, probably because they're basically a rental.

These are plentiful in the caribbean...

They are more than likely 10 bucks because of the second statement rather than the first.

lordofthereef · 12/08/2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Bounce

As for the light, I don't know. I would doubt that three days of insufficient or reduced light would cause a healthy anemone to decline.

Depending on where you read I have seen these sold as "high light" as well as "moderate" or even "low light" anemones. I have PCs over mine and it is doing just fine. IME, low light it is. Of course, I also feed bi-monthly to weekly so...

thebanker · 12/08/2009, 04:14 PM

That could be the reason, it may not. The way I see it, the average reef aquarium has live rock, fish, coral, and microbiology from the south pacific. The only item from the caribbean is probably the live sand, if you buy CaribSea bagged sand. All cnidarians emit chemical traces, and I would bet that these may be toxic to the condys.

At my local condy selling LFS, they have them in a tank with nothing else. I would not consider them reef safe, with all the stories I've read about them eating fish.

Mine looked awesome for a day or two, started moving around like crazy, then started shriveling. Within one week, it was disintegrating. It's a shame, because they're so aesthetically pleasing.

thebanker · 12/08/2009, 04:15 PM

I wish we could get a scientific opinion on my theory.

lordofthereef · 12/08/2009, 04:41 PM

I bet that they are kept alone simply because they pack a pretty powerful sting. If they are not happy where they are and decide to move around they will probably kill everything they come in contact with. Mine mowed a nice lawn between some zoas when trying to figure out there it wanted to stay as I placed it in a place I was happy with, but the anemone was not. You may very well be right about your statements I just don't see where my and others success comes from. Mine is kept in a simply 10g. I do eun carbon, which may be helpful.

lordofthereef · 12/08/2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebanker

Mine looked awesome for a day or two, started moving around like crazy, then started shriveling. Within one week, it was disintegrating. It's a shame, because they're so aesthetically pleasing.

I suppose it is also possible that yours was not able to find a favorable enough spot and perhaps got injured too? They don't like heavy flow and my understanding is their foot can rip as a result.

Roast · 12/12/2009, 10:07 PM

I just left to go get a Christmas tree and the condy look amazing! It had puffed out all the tentacles like a star-burst. Well, about an hour later I came home and it was drooped down and shriveled. ***? So I turned the light on real quick and it perked up, but now just looks limp in the water. It's hanging on the side of the tank so I figured when it does die it will slough off. I just fed it shrimp for the first time since having it about 3 days ago earlier today. The water was all cloudy too when I came home? Could it have "pooped"? Should I be looking for something else to bring home soon? All my levels checked out.

SG : 1.022
Nitrate : 20
Nitrite: 0.5
Alk: 180
Ph: 7.8

squidy3 · 12/12/2009, 10:34 PM

I bought a condi and returned the thing a week later. I have had a BTA for 2 years and love nems but the condi was way too aggressive. How many fish did you add when you added the condi? You may have a nitrate spike due to the increased bio-load. Just a thought....

squidy3 · 12/12/2009, 10:39 PM

Oh I also wanted to add that clowns typically will not host a condi. I also found this out after purchasing mine, lol.

Roast · 12/12/2009, 10:52 PM

In reference to Squidy, I bought my condi and a clown together as a "package". I've never seen a clown attract so well to a anenome before I had bought the two together. I had to buy them both, actually, because I was going to feel guilty for parting the two if I didn't. A big change from my already housed maroon and a frogspawn who are distance neighbors. However, now the maroon doesn't touch the condi. He just chills in the corners.

smokey377 · 12/13/2009, 10:39 PM

My condy is doing great and i put it in a 2 week old tank its like 7 months old now. In the mornings when i turn the lights on he is turned inside out looks like a roll of socks but a hr later he is all open up and happy as can be.

Frick-n-Frags · 12/14/2009, 06:14 AM

anemones do shut down sometimes. if it is shut down, it doesnt necessarily mean it is dying.

condis are garbage anemones and very easy to keep relative to some others like ritteris
if you are killing condis off, something isnt 100% in th etank.

my big ole condi took a ride in my freezer. enough was enough..

lordofthereef · 12/14/2009, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frick-n-Frags

anemones do shut down sometimes. if it is shut down, it doesnt necessarily mean it is dying.

condis are garbage anemones and very easy to keep relative to some others like ritteris
if you are killing condis off, something isnt 100% in th etank.

my big ole condi took a ride in my freezer. enough was enough..

I am confused by this statement. I gather you wanted to kill it? Why?

Frick-n-Frags · 12/14/2009, 06:54 AM

it overgrew the tank. this was long ago when anemones were the rage. it had no value and had to go. freezing is humane. the animal just slows down....

12/08/2009, 02:13 PM	#1
boxergst Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6	Condy Anemony problem Hi Guys, So I have been running my 72 Gal saltwater tank now for about 12-14 weeks and have recently put a Condy Anemone into the tank with a Clarkii and Maroon clownfish. The first two days in the tank, the Condy looked great and the Clarkii had even paired up with it. Today I looked at the Condy and it was shrunk with its tenticls sucked in. I know the anemones can go into shock when put into a new tank but I just want to see if there is anything I can do or should watch for. Also, one of the ballast's on my Odyssea lighting system went out and I currently only have 2 x 65w 10,000K Daylight lights running. Could this be causing the problem. Salinity = 1.025 PH = 8.3 Temp = 75F Thanks in advance!

12/08/2009, 04:08 PM	#8
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I have a condy and it does this about once a week or once every two weeks, usually a couple days after feeding when it "poops". The following morning he will be happily opened up. It also came from a mixed reef tank and was doing just fine there too. I would be more nervous that you put it in an immature system than the fact that it is in a tank with different species personally. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

12/08/2009, 04:41 PM	#13
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I bet that they are kept alone simply because they pack a pretty powerful sting. If they are not happy where they are and decide to move around they will probably kill everything they come in contact with. Mine mowed a nice lawn between some zoas when trying to figure out there it wanted to stay as I placed it in a place I was happy with, but the anemone was not. You may very well be right about your statements I just don't see where my and others success comes from. Mine is kept in a simply 10g. I do eun carbon, which may be helpful. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu! Last edited by lordofthereef; 12/08/2009 at 04:47 PM.

12/14/2009, 06:14 AM	#20
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	anemones do shut down sometimes. if it is shut down, it doesnt necessarily mean it is dying. condis are garbage anemones and very easy to keep relative to some others like ritteris if you are killing condis off, something isnt 100% in th etank. my big ole condi took a ride in my freezer. enough was enough.. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

12/14/2009, 06:54 AM	#22
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	it overgrew the tank. this was long ago when anemones were the rage. it had no value and had to go. freezing is humane. the animal just slows down.... __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

12/08/2009, 02:47 PM	#2
Jersey Bounce Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: either Madison, WI or Dallas, TX Posts: 82	The clowns might be irritating the anemone since condylactis anemones aren't natural hosts for clowns of any species. Also, have you tested the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in your tank? Since your tank is only 'about 12-14 weeks' old, it may not have yet reached an equilibrium in the nitrogenous waste cycle. Some may say that 12-14 weeks isn't mature enough for any anemone inhabitants at all; many will warn you that keeping a Clarkii and a Biaculeatus (arguably two of the most aggressive clownfish species) in the same tank is playing with fire. As for the light, I don't know. I would doubt that three days of insufficient or reduced light would cause a healthy anemone to decline.

12/08/2009, 03:07 PM	#3
boxergst Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6	I have not checked the ammonia, nitrite or nitrate levels, however, i took a sample of water to a tropical fish store and they said that all the levels looked good. I also did a 25% water change prior to adding the new fish and anemone, so I think things should be ok. I would doubt that the Clarkii is irritating the anemone since it was acting the same way with it in the store and employees had told me that both the fish and anemone have been paired like this for a while now. As for the two fish, the Clarkii mainly stays with the anemone and the Maroon stays on the other end on the other end of the tank. They both have been in very close contat with eachother and have shown no signs of aggression yet. Keeping my fingers crossed. Im not sure when I will be able to replace the lighting setup, but should the daylight lighting be ok for now. The other bulbs I have are the 65w blue actinic, but I will prob stay with the 10,000K lights for now.

12/08/2009, 03:07 PM	#4
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	Mine did the same thing, then it shriveled and disintegrated.

12/08/2009, 03:42 PM	#5
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	Would not reccommend this type of anemone, they are a caribbean species and I had the same experience as DC40Gallon. It's my naiive layman's belief that if you have corals in your tank from the south pacific, this anemone reacts negatively to any chemical traces emitted by the coral polyps. Maybe this is wrong, but I hardly ever hear good stories about these. LFS sells them for about $10, probably because they're basically a rental. These are plentiful in the caribbean, and probably would not react badly to elkhorn/staghorn acropora, or gorgonians native to the caribbean. But who knows, they just don't seem to do well in captivity. I would not buy another EVER.

12/08/2009, 03:55 PM	#6
boxergst Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6	I probably will not buy another one after this, but it was only $7 at the time. This is all still a learning process for me, but now I know for future reference.

12/08/2009, 04:04 PM	#7
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	Wow that's great insight thebanker! I hadn't really thought of the area of species to be a problem. Makes sense though! I'm sticking to frogspawn type corals for my future clowns to host. I'll never do an anemone again. I really don't like how they move around.

12/08/2009, 04:14 PM	#11
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	That could be the reason, it may not. The way I see it, the average reef aquarium has live rock, fish, coral, and microbiology from the south pacific. The only item from the caribbean is probably the live sand, if you buy CaribSea bagged sand. All cnidarians emit chemical traces, and I would bet that these may be toxic to the condys. At my local condy selling LFS, they have them in a tank with nothing else. I would not consider them reef safe, with all the stories I've read about them eating fish. Mine looked awesome for a day or two, started moving around like crazy, then started shriveling. Within one week, it was disintegrating. It's a shame, because they're so aesthetically pleasing.

12/08/2009, 04:15 PM	#12
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	I wish we could get a scientific opinion on my theory.

12/12/2009, 10:07 PM	#15
Roast Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 23	I just left to go get a Christmas tree and the condy look amazing! It had puffed out all the tentacles like a star-burst. Well, about an hour later I came home and it was drooped down and shriveled. ***? So I turned the light on real quick and it perked up, but now just looks limp in the water. It's hanging on the side of the tank so I figured when it does die it will slough off. I just fed it shrimp for the first time since having it about 3 days ago earlier today. The water was all cloudy too when I came home? Could it have "pooped"? Should I be looking for something else to bring home soon? All my levels checked out. SG : 1.022 Nitrate : 20 Nitrite: 0.5 Alk: 180 Ph: 7.8

12/12/2009, 10:34 PM	#16
squidy3 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 54	I bought a condi and returned the thing a week later. I have had a BTA for 2 years and love nems but the condi was way too aggressive. How many fish did you add when you added the condi? You may have a nitrate spike due to the increased bio-load. Just a thought....

12/12/2009, 10:39 PM	#17
squidy3 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 54	Oh I also wanted to add that clowns typically will not host a condi. I also found this out after purchasing mine, lol.

12/12/2009, 10:52 PM	#18
Roast Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 23	In reference to Squidy, I bought my condi and a clown together as a "package". I've never seen a clown attract so well to a anenome before I had bought the two together. I had to buy them both, actually, because I was going to feel guilty for parting the two if I didn't. A big change from my already housed maroon and a frogspawn who are distance neighbors. However, now the maroon doesn't touch the condi. He just chills in the corners.

12/13/2009, 10:39 PM	#19
smokey377 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 57	My condy is doing great and i put it in a 2 week old tank its like 7 months old now. In the mornings when i turn the lights on he is turned inside out looks like a roll of socks but a hr later he is all open up and happy as can be.