Expert: Jennifer Schanely - 8/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: Jennifer,
2 Quick questions.  I recently added a Sebae anemone and a black Saddleback (very cool fish) to my tank. Within 6 hrs, they are hosting..  very cool also..  
2 things I noticed.  When the lights come on, the anemone's tenticles shrink to about half inch.  vs.  1+ inches with the night lights on.  Any suggestions?
Also, the clown takes away any meaty foods I give directly to the anemone.  He finds it and removes it.  He doesn't bring anything directly to the anemone.   Are they going to work this out or is it common for a new host relationship..?  
Advice or knowledge would be appreciated..
Tks.

ANSWER: Hi Cory. I have noticed that when anemones are kept in very bright lighting they do not need to extend their tentacles out as far as they do if they are kept under lower light levels. Sebae anemones have rather short tubular tentacles to begin with so it is very normal for them to look this way during the daylight hours. One technique for feeding anemones is to use smaller pieces of food squirted over the tentacles with a turkey baster or a syringe. Most anemones do not require as much food as you may think especially if they are kept under bright illumination. Feeding smaller size foods and more of them at once will give the anemone a chance to eat and the clown can not possibly steal all the pieces from the anemone before he eats it. Try mysis shrimp or a frozen plankton. I usually recommend staying away from feeding any anemone larger pieces of food mainly because it is more stressful for them to digest. I only feed any of my anemones about once a month. It took my clownfish a few months to start to feed my anemone. She will also not feed the anemone sometimes and at others feed only the anemones and not herself. She seems to know what they need and does all the work for me. This relationship may take a little while to establish and patience is the key. Do not worry too much about your anemone. They do not require as much food as you might think.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thnaks Jennifer..  
The anemone looks very healthy other than its color.  I bought one that is "bleached" - should have researched..  Anyway is there a way to accelerate its recovery to a tan/brownish color? Any special foods, supplements, vitamins, encouragement to help the process?
Thanks again for your help.
CHuey

Answer
Sometimes with regular feedings a sebae anemone can be nursed back to health. My suggestion to you would be to find a new home or another tank for your clownfish until your anemone's color starts to come back. Some where along the way this anemone has been treated badly and in order to save it, it must start eating. Make sure your water quality is kept very high and that your lighting is more than adequate for this invertebrate(metal halides are best). Anemones prefer water free of organic wastes, which in most cases means you need to have an efficient protein skimmer. Maintaining the levels of trace elements in the water by performing regular water changes or the addition of commercially available supplements also seems to be important. You can try a trace mineral supplement made by Kent marine and a good food soak called selcon to boost the nutrition level of the food. You may have to get it to eat at least once a week for a few months or until it regains its color, and if the clownfish is getting in the way of this happening you will eventually lose the anemone. Unfortunately these are not one of the hardiest anemones to keep and often fail to thrive long term in the aquarium. With a little patience and allot of care you can eventually nurse this one back to health but it will take some time.