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Why won't my anemone stay in one spot? I have tried to put it on a rock covered with coraline algae, on a rock without, and on a piece of old coral. It will generally stick for a few hours but the will fall right to the bottom and drift to a spot without current. I don't know what kind it is, but the LFS dude said it would be fine with a pecula clown. It has long tentacles (green with white tips) and an orange/red foot. please help!

What kind of lighting do you have?

Generally when they move around it's because they are not happy for whatever reason. You need to let it decide for itself I suppose, because it will continue to move untill it finds a spot it likes.

It should never float around. Even if it doesnt stay in one spot, it should always be attached by its foot. I think you got an anemone that is either 1) unhealthy, or 2) still adjusting to your tank, or 3) was not acclimated properly and is shocked and stressed.

My honest opinion would be a combination of all 3.

Was the anemone attached at the store? If it was, did they give you the rock that it was attached to? How did you acclimate? How long did you acclimate?

UH-OH! I was told I didn't need to aclimate critters, only fish.
I have 2 96 watt compact flurescent bulbs, one actinic and one 10,000 K, on a 55 gal tank. 76 deg F.
I turned one powerhead off yesterday afternoon to see if it attaches better. I'l keep y'all updated, and THANKS!! ( I think I will start acclimating all critters from now on!)

I was told I didn't need to aclimate critters, only fish.

Wow, you may want to stay away from that LFS from now on. Thats pretty much the worst advice ever. If anything, most critters need to be accimilated longer than fish. A lot of corals are especially senesitive to changes in salinity, etc.

Also, your tank is a bit cold. I'd think you'd at least want it at 79 degrees, unless your keeping a colder water tank.

I would agree, up the temp over a few days to about 80f. As for your anemone not staying put, don't worry to much about it. I have a atlantic carpet that I swear is retarded. For a few days it will be fine, then it will lay upside down on the sand. Then the next day or so it will be up on a rock. It's been doing that for months.



Dan

I will raise the temp - 1 deg a day? - and also start acclimating EVERYBODY!! thanks again.

Your lighting is also pretty low for an Anemone. I would suggest doubling it at the very least.

Your lighting is fine, you have 192 watts over a 55gal tank.



Dan

192 Watt is not a lot for An Anemone or any other high light coral.

Agree with Azizza. 192 watts isnt alot of light....It is my belief (along with the majority of others) that anemone should be supplied with MH in order to thrive.

For some, yes, I agree, for others no. I don't belive he said what he had exactly. My seba, profiles say high light, has less light then that and is thriving, it has doubled in size sence I got it, it's now nearly a foot across when fully opened. He has about 3.5 watts per gal, now more light would be better, but should be enough to keep it happy, unless it's a type that needs really high light. The discription he gave sounds like a seba.



Dan

I'm sorry I've been gone for so long, but I can't help it sometimes. Thank you all for the info, but that anemone didn't make it. I decided to try one more about three weeks ago and it is doing great!! I acclimated it, and put it near a spot with a good anchor, moderate light, and a moderate current. My tank is 4' long, but my lights are 3'. The anemone is under the edge of the lights. It has been anchored in the same spot for about 2 1/2 weeks now, and is doing great! Thanks for all the help, and I'll keep the MH bulb in mind for my tank, even though I don;t want any hard corals.