Discosoma Malu Anemone 'Help Needed'

Boomsling · 10/04/2006, 10:24 AM

Need your input...

I bought a Malu anemone about 10 14 days ago but it is yet to accept a feed. When I bought it I was assured it was feeding ok ( Ive no reason not to trust my LFS as I have been going there for over 5 years). I was informed that I should try to feed it in about 7 days after I purchased it as they had only fed it the day before. I also asked what they were feeding it and bought some of the same food (frozen mussel).

My questions are :

What size chunk of food should I offer it? The anemone is about 12 to 15 cm across.
How can I encorage it to take the food?
Should the Malu attatch to the rock (as it is now) or should it bury its self/column in the substate?

Thanks for reading.

NOTE : Further tank details and water parameters can be found my clicking my homepage icon.

bertoni · 10/05/2006, 07:36 PM

Do you mean Discosoma as in the small mushroom corals? Or do you mean Heteractis malu? I'll assume H. malu.

This article is useful, in my opinion:

http://www.carlosreef.com/AnemoneFAQ.pdf

I feed my BTA whole krill and whole lancefish. They are 1"-3" long, and the anemone doesn't have a problem with them. I suspect yours would be fine with that size food, too, or you could chop the animals up a bit. Mussel should be good, too.

I think H. malu buries its food in the sand.

Boomsling · 10/06/2006, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bertoni
Do you mean Discosoma as in the small mushroom corals? Or do you mean Heteractis malu? I'll assume H. malu.

Im not sure, which is why Im probably finding it difficult to find out if it should be on rock or in sand.

Here is a picture

newreefbishop · 10/06/2006, 08:03 AM

Looks bleached.....what kinda lights are you running?

Boomsling · 10/06/2006, 08:34 AM

3x54w T5
1 x 54w Actinic

It might be the photo, I took that picture on my phone!
Its actually creamy coloured, kind brown creamy with blue tips to the end of the tenticles.

Ive only just today moved it up to that level, before it was in the bottom 3rd of the tank.

bertoni · 10/06/2006, 11:58 AM

It does look like a bleached H. malu. I think the feeding idea is fine. It might start eating after it gets more acclimated to the tank.

Boomsling · 10/06/2006, 01:21 PM

Thanks for the replys. I really do appreiciate the input. I like to think I can bring all these creatures to a enviroment where they will thrive, I dont wont to bring anything home to its death

Its been nearly 2 weeks without a feed.

Does bleached mean it need more light? From what I can read up on a bleached anemone is one that has very little of its symbotic algee ??

What about the light levels and if it should be on rock on sand?

Shiandy · 10/06/2006, 01:27 PM

Out of interest how long has the tank been up and running ?

Boomsling · 10/06/2006, 01:32 PM

Its been up for about 2 months, click on my little red house with www next to it for details. The log was only started after it was up and running for about 2 weeks after the cured live rock was added.

I see where your going with this, do yuo think I might have trouble with my BTA too?

If so I'd rather give them back to my LFS free of charge than kill the poor buggers.

Shiandy · 10/06/2006, 01:37 PM

I think you could have problems, due to the tank being very young.

I also made the same mistake, they require very stable water conditions, and Ideally should be housed in a well established aquarium, at least 6 months+, but now u have it, I would just stick with it, rather than stress it further.

bertoni · 10/06/2006, 01:40 PM

The tank is very young for an anemone, but you might be able to pull it off.

A bleached anemone needs time to recover. I would let the animal move to where it wants to be, and then leave it alone. More moving means more stress.

If it's not eating, that's a bad sign, but you could try some different types of food.

Boomsling · 10/06/2006, 01:41 PM

ok... but if it gets worse or doesnt accept a feed within a couple more weeks I might take it back.

I still need to know if it should be buried in sand or stuck on a rock?

Am I providing enough light?(of the right type too)

Shiandy · 10/06/2006, 01:44 PM

Just let it settle where it wants. It will move till it finds a spot that its happy with. They can settle on a rock or in the substrate.

Boomsling · 10/06/2006, 01:49 PM

Thank you both for the replys.

I'll leave it be and hope the little fella pulls through.

Last question, will I ever stop worring about my tank?

Shiandy · 10/06/2006, 01:53 PM

Err.... no

Its part of the fun, and yw.

bertoni · 10/06/2006, 02:02 PM

In nature, it grow in sand, and it wants bright lighting. Metal halide would probably be best. If your T5 has reflectors per bulb, that might be fine, too.

corals b 4 bills · 10/06/2006, 02:08 PM

This is the color of my anemone when I bought it, after it was in my tank with a thousand watts this is the color it will be, 8 months old and the same size as the one you have there. My gold bar clown feeds it everyother night when I feed. Formula one and two.

Boomsling · 10/06/2006, 04:47 PM

whoooah!

Whats forumal 1 & 2? Is it a suppliment?

bertoni · 10/06/2006, 06:32 PM

They are fish foods. I use the frozen version from time to time.

Randall_James · 10/06/2006, 08:31 PM

Taking it back will do no good...

You should posted a thread like this before the purchase... "How do I take care of an Anemone in my 2 month old tank" would have saved you a few bucks

10/04/2006, 10:24 AM	#1
Boomsling Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 46	Discosoma Malu Anemone 'Help Needed' Need your input... I bought a Malu anemone about 10 14 days ago but it is yet to accept a feed. When I bought it I was assured it was feeding ok ( Ive no reason not to trust my LFS as I have been going there for over 5 years). I was informed that I should try to feed it in about 7 days after I purchased it as they had only fed it the day before. I also asked what they were feeding it and bought some of the same food (frozen mussel). My questions are : What size chunk of food should I offer it? The anemone is about 12 to 15 cm across. How can I encorage it to take the food? Should the Malu attatch to the rock (as it is now) or should it bury its self/column in the substate? Thanks for reading. NOTE : Further tank details and water parameters can be found my clicking my homepage icon. __________________ Tank info/log on homepage Current Tank Info: 50Gal Reef Tank Last edited by Boomsling; 10/04/2006 at 10:57 AM.

10/05/2006, 07:36 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Do you mean Discosoma as in the small mushroom corals? Or do you mean Heteractis malu? I'll assume H. malu. This article is useful, in my opinion: http://www.carlosreef.com/AnemoneFAQ.pdf I feed my BTA whole krill and whole lancefish. They are 1"-3" long, and the anemone doesn't have a problem with them. I suspect yours would be fine with that size food, too, or you could chop the animals up a bit. Mussel should be good, too. I think H. malu buries its food in the sand. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/06/2006, 08:03 AM	#4
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	Looks bleached.....what kinda lights are you running? __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/06/2006, 08:34 AM	#5
Boomsling Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 46	3x54w T5 1 x 54w Actinic It might be the photo, I took that picture on my phone! Its actually creamy coloured, kind brown creamy with blue tips to the end of the tenticles. Ive only just today moved it up to that level, before it was in the bottom 3rd of the tank. __________________ Tank info/log on homepage Current Tank Info: 50Gal Reef Tank

10/06/2006, 11:58 AM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	It does look like a bleached H. malu. I think the feeding idea is fine. It might start eating after it gets more acclimated to the tank. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/06/2006, 01:21 PM	#7
Boomsling Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 46	Thanks for the replys. I really do appreiciate the input. I like to think I can bring all these creatures to a enviroment where they will thrive, I dont wont to bring anything home to its death Its been nearly 2 weeks without a feed. Does bleached mean it need more light? From what I can read up on a bleached anemone is one that has very little of its symbotic algee ?? What about the light levels and if it should be on rock on sand? __________________ Tank info/log on homepage Current Tank Info: 50Gal Reef Tank

10/06/2006, 01:27 PM	#8
Shiandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 367	Out of interest how long has the tank been up and running ?

10/06/2006, 01:32 PM	#9
Boomsling Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 46	Its been up for about 2 months, click on my little red house with www next to it for details. The log was only started after it was up and running for about 2 weeks after the cured live rock was added. I see where your going with this, do yuo think I might have trouble with my BTA too? If so I'd rather give them back to my LFS free of charge than kill the poor buggers. __________________ Tank info/log on homepage Current Tank Info: 50Gal Reef Tank

10/06/2006, 01:37 PM	#10
Shiandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 367	I think you could have problems, due to the tank being very young. I also made the same mistake, they require very stable water conditions, and Ideally should be housed in a well established aquarium, at least 6 months+, but now u have it, I would just stick with it, rather than stress it further.

10/06/2006, 01:40 PM	#11
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The tank is very young for an anemone, but you might be able to pull it off. A bleached anemone needs time to recover. I would let the animal move to where it wants to be, and then leave it alone. More moving means more stress. If it's not eating, that's a bad sign, but you could try some different types of food. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/06/2006, 01:41 PM	#12
Boomsling Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 46	ok... but if it gets worse or doesnt accept a feed within a couple more weeks I might take it back. I still need to know if it should be buried in sand or stuck on a rock? Am I providing enough light?(of the right type too) __________________ Tank info/log on homepage Current Tank Info: 50Gal Reef Tank

10/06/2006, 01:44 PM	#13
Shiandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 367	Just let it settle where it wants. It will move till it finds a spot that its happy with. They can settle on a rock or in the substrate.

10/06/2006, 01:49 PM	#14
Boomsling Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 46	Thank you both for the replys. I'll leave it be and hope the little fella pulls through. Last question, will I ever stop worring about my tank? __________________ Tank info/log on homepage Current Tank Info: 50Gal Reef Tank

10/06/2006, 01:53 PM	#15
Shiandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 367	Err.... no Its part of the fun, and yw.

10/06/2006, 02:02 PM	#16
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	In nature, it grow in sand, and it wants bright lighting. Metal halide would probably be best. If your T5 has reflectors per bulb, that might be fine, too. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/06/2006, 02:08 PM	#17
corals b 4 bills Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Belmont). Posts: 2,381	This is the color of my anemone when I bought it, after it was in my tank with a thousand watts this is the color it will be, 8 months old and the same size as the one you have there. My gold bar clown feeds it everyother night when I feed. Formula one and two. __________________ Reefkeeper - (ref-ke-per) n: Individual obsessed with placing disturbing amounts of electricity and seawater in close proximity for the purpose of maintaining live coral reef organisms. Current Tank Info: 29 gallon Bio Cube, HQI 150 watt Nanotuner~Vortech MP10W ES~Arctica Chiller~AC II~Tunze Osmolator ATO~ Tunze 9002 skimmer W/In Tank Cup~ Korallin Reactor W/PH Monitor~ Korallin Denitrator~APC Back-up~Phosban/Carbon Reactor.

10/06/2006, 04:47 PM	#18
Boomsling Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 46	whoooah! Whats forumal 1 & 2? Is it a suppliment? __________________ Tank info/log on homepage Current Tank Info: 50Gal Reef Tank

10/06/2006, 06:32 PM	#19
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	They are fish foods. I use the frozen version from time to time. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/06/2006, 08:31 PM	#20
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	Taking it back will do no good... You should posted a thread like this before the purchase... "How do I take care of an Anemone in my 2 month old tank" would have saved you a few bucks __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"