CondyDisFAQs

FAQs on Condylactis Anemone Disease/Health & Pests

New Print and eBook on Amazon:

Anemone Success
Doing what it takes to keep Anemones healthy long-term

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Help! Condylactis - 2/18/16
I have a seasoned 150-gal tank. I’m new to the saltwater tank world so I have the tank professionally maintained twice a month; water checked, changed, cleaned, etc. Tank contains 2 tangs, 1 Banggai, 1 scooter blenny, 1 Firefish goby, 1 foxface Rabbitfish, a few shrimp, a sand sifting sea star and 3 very small coral starter frags, far away from the Condylactis. All have co-existed without issue thus far and seem to be thriving. The livestock were added gradually over the last 9 months. The lighting is ‘ideal’ according to my professional tank service; 1 halide, two fluors - one blue, one white - on timers, etc.
Got a Condylactis a few days ago, all seemed well. Large beautiful tentacles, and no odd behavior I couldn’t research and get an answer for.
This morning however, it was completely inverted - pic attached.
<Could be that the star, shrimp walked over it; but likely....>
I’ve searched high and low and can’t find a definitive answer for this behavior and unsure if it’s cause for concern, and if it is, what I need to do to protect this creature.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
<Oh yeah; reading; here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condydisfaq.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Is there a tankmate missing?

Re: Help! Condylactis - 2/18/16
Thank you for the prompt reply; most appreciated.
<Welcome>
However, in reading through the linked page (and several of the links on that page as well) I’m afraid I found no direct answer to my query as to whether or not an inverted Condy is a sign of distress,
<Indeed it is; only close up thus if over fed or summat is wrong w/ the environment... chem-, phys-, biolog -ically>
and what to do about it if it is. I’m a pretty conscientious tank owner and take it’s life seriously and need some help.
<All this is gone over; and much more where I referred you. As you and most all folks don't supply sufficient data, I/we find it prudent to have them review pertinent archives>
I did notice however, that you mention you volunteer your time for this site - given the dates I see on the site (2003??) and sheer volume of content here (I only discovered this site today) I offer a sincere tip o’ the hat. Wow. That’s beyond impressive.
<Ah yes; WWM started in the mid-90's>
Hopefully my question will not be too much of an imposition, but I’m genuinely hoping for a ‘Yes, it’s dying, pull it from the tank’ or ‘not a big deal, they’re unusual creatures and sometimes they just stick their butt/mouth out there for everyone to see…’.
<I would try iodide-ate treatment in place for now. BobF>
Re: Help! Condylactis - 2/18/16
I will try the treatment you indicate - the Condy is starting to emerge this morning, so I’m assuming that is a sign of improvement.
Thanks again for the help!

Problem with my Haitian white purple tip Condy 10/23/14
Hello, I have a Condy that when I woke up it was stuck in my filter sprout
<Yikes; bad>
and I carefully pulled it out. It seems to be ok but lost the tips of his tentacles or arms.. I was wondering will they eventually grow back with t.l.c what do you suggest it doesn't look like it going to die. But thank you for reading
<Am rooting for you, and your Condy... See WWM re. Bob Fenner>

Condylactis gigantea: Tentacle Growth 1/11/14
Good Afternoon,
<Jen>
Research alone regarding this species has not been very helpful in answering my questions and I hope you guys or gals might be able to fill in the gaps.
Tank: 55 gallon long
Lighting: 48” Dual T5 HO (1-10,000K Daylight 1-Actinic)
Canister filtration/planted macro in tank
Salinity: 1.026
Temp: 76
NH4: 0
NO2:0
NO3: <5.0
PH: 8.4
Ca2: 400
Alk : 9
Nine months ago I purchased a small Condylactis for my 30 gallon nano tank. He was quite bleached out when I brought him home so I supplemented small pieces of squid soaked in marine snow every other day. (First picture). Three months ago I moved him to the current 55 gallon system. (second photo)
<Ahh, looks much better>
His growth has been exponential as you can see by comparison of the his hosting Clarkii. He has not roamed and is still eating vigorously but I have cut back feedings to twice a week.
<Good>
I have noticed recently that he is sprouting several new tentacles around the innermost section of the oral disk. Occasionally when I turn my lights on in the morning I will notice he has shed a tentacle and I am wondering if these new sprouts are replacing the ones lost or if they are a result of his growth over the last several months?
<My guess is more the latter>
His color and feeding seem to indicate lighting and nutrition are not a factor. As I mentioned the only new or lost tentacles are isolated to the central region of the oral disk. Aside from this everything appears to be normal for his behavior and for the system itself. In my Google image searches I have not been able to find pictures of a Condy this size and most of the issues seem to be with small, new, or bleached anemones. Thank you for any insight you may be able to offer.
Cheers!
Jennifer
<I've seen this sort of condition many times and don't consider it problematical. You are to be congratulated for restoring the health of this Condy. Bob Fenner>

Condy help... no info. 1/11/12
I tested my water quality a week ago but did not write them down.
<?>
They were normal and my tank is almost a year old. I have a smaller type of anemone who is healthy as can be. My poor Condy is failing.
<Actinarians do poorly when mixed in small volumes>
He is not losing color in his base its still bright pink. He is not losing is footing. He still retracts to purge normally and nothing about his feeding ritual has changed. I feed him a fish once a week and liquid Microvert food once a week. Why does he look this way?
<? your 13 byte pic is too small to see much of anything>>
I've been researching and don't know what to do! Thanks for your help!
<Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condyanemones.htm
The linked files at top. Bob Fenner>

Yep

floating anemone 8/7/11
Hello again crew,
<Hi Morgan>
First I would like to apologize for my lack of capitalization on my "I"'s in my last post.
<No worries>
But I have a new conundrum.
<Life...>
Today I preformed a 20 percent water change to help fix my nitrite problem,
<The presence of Nitrite is an indicator that the system is not ready or suitable for any type of ornamental anemone. The fact that such a small stressor as a water change has produced this reaction points to the already weakening state of the animal>
and after I preformed the change my Condylactis anemone began to float around the tank and wouldn't stick to anything and the tips of the tentacles turned brown and wouldn't sting.
<How do you know this? Do you purposely sting yourself to find out?>
any idea's?
<You need to read re: cycling in marine aquariums
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marcyclefaqs.htm. The animal should be removed to another more established system, back to the retailer, or if this is not possible an option would be to add some fully cured live rock to the system. You also should read about the animals that you are keeping here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condysysfaq.htm?h=. You make no mention of any other water or system parameters, but the correct lighting is particularly important>
Many thanks in advance and for all questions I have had /will have. Morgan
<Good luck Morgan, Simon>
Re follow up on floating anemone 8/7/11
Hello Wet Web Media
<Hello again Morgan>
and thank you for your quick response, hope I'm not too much of a bother.
<No bother, but please try to include previous correspondence so that we can follow your issues more easily in future. I have attached these from the dailies below>
In response to my tank set up, my tank is a 30g with a two inch sand bottom, I have three live rocks which weigh out to approx eight lbs. After my last dip test
my water parameters read as follows: Nitrite between 0 and .5, Nitrate between 0 and 20, Chlorine 0, Alkalinity 300, and pH 8.4.
<Ammonia? Temp? Salinity?>
my tank heater is a 300W Elite, my filter is an aqua clear 70 with the combination Ammonia/Carbon pack (recommended to me by my LFS),
<Are you using a protein skimmer?>
and my light is an All Glass Aquarium 20W Hg lamp.
<This is inadequate, and you make no mention of the colour temp. Please read where you were referred to last time and try here it is important you get the lighting for this animal correct:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/setup/lighting/index.htm>
Since my last post I moved my fish to a more established tank,
<If you have a more established system then move the anemone there as posted previously>
preformed a 20 percent water change (which I added too much salt to) and since then I <I> have done a one gallon water change every few hours to lower the salinity.
<This could also be a big factor. Simon>

Haitian Anemone/Systems/Health 1/20/10
Hello Crew!
<Hi Matt>
It's me again.
<Me as in Matt?>
Well I have some questions about the anemone I have. I've had it about 3 weeks now and you can see its brown color is starting to come back. When I bought him he was pure white. The thing that is bothering me now is his purple tips are starting to vanish and the tips of some of his tentacles are looking a bit odd. They are not a perfect round shape, kind of zig zag in shape. I just recently bought a Clarkii Clownfish who absolutely loves him. My Water Params are pH 8.2 Ammonia 0 Nitrites 0 and Nitrates about 5 and SG is 1.24. I use T5 HO lighting 2x 14watt one actinic and one 10000k.
I have yet to start spot feeding because his color is coming back so nicely. Well any information would be great!
<The Haitian Reef Anemone, a Condylactis species, is found near Haiti, in lagoons and/or inner reefs. It has a red column with long, tapering, pink-tipped tentacles. The tentacles may occasionally develop a bubble-like appearance which may be what you are calling "odd". Generally it likes to bury the base in the sand or into the crevice of a rock for protection, and requires high intensity lighting to survive long term. Your two 14 watt HO's, depending on your tank size and depth, is borderline at best for keeping this species. I would at least replace the actinic with another 10K lamp, it will help increase your light intensity. A better idea would be to see if you can return/exchange it if lighting improvements cannot be made.
Do read here and articles, especially the FAQ's linked in the header.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condyanemones.htm>
Thanks for your time.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>

Condy Anemone 7/2/09
Hello and thank you for such an interesting and informative site. My local shops are all too arrogant to chat it up, or only interested in selling, to be of any real honest help.
<Sad and all too common.>
I found this site by Googling, and it is the only one with specific and informative help.
<Thank you.>
To my problem.
I am including a pictures of my Condy Anemone. I bought a nano system from the shop that already had been cycled and had a Condy and another fish I have since removed. The Anem started out fine, but the tentacles are all withered and falling off. His body looks healthy, and he has only moved once. I keep the water clean and within the parameters you have advised here.
<Can you provide specific numbers?>
He eats a small piece of squid eagerly three times a week, stays swollen up, but these tentacles are all dying. Please advise.....
<A few things come to mind, particularly the system size. Most "nano" sized systems are really not appropriate for most if not any anemones. The size alone is an issue, but the stability (lack of) that comes along with a nano size is another. Also, how about lighting, filtration and water flow in this system? All play into the health of your Condy. Scott V.>

Re: Condy Anemone 7/3/09
Just as I said about my local store just wanting to sell me something. They highly recommended this setup.
<Not good.>
My parameters are
ALK. 180
PH 8.2
NO2 0
NO3 10
It is pretty consistently there.
<Is the temperature consistent?>
Filtration is two sponge cubes, then
charcoal bag in section two. I have about 10 lbs of live rock in there.
The lighting is the Nano DX hood. Two double fluorescent bulbs, one white one blue. I started the Anem directly below good light, about 4-5 inches deep, and he moved to a shadier area. The flow is a power head pointing away from him, but he gets decent tentacle movement, the ones that are left anyway.
<This system really is not suitable for this anemone. It sounds on the small side for both growth and stability. The lighting too does not sound like it is likely enough based on what you have stated.
See: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condysysfaq.htm and the linked files above.
Scott V.>

Purple Tipped Condylactis 09/19/09
Hi Crew,
Been a long time fan of your site for info, but until today never had to ask a question. I have a Condy that is perfectly healthy looking, colors are clear and bright, opens and closes on a good light/time schedule, eats well(one half silverfish and a small portion mysis a week). Today I noticed 2 small, porous nodules protruding from the disc. Yellowish to lt. brown in color, and one appears to have what looks to be a tubule at its base about an eighth of an inch long. Water conditions are optimal, except for ph, and at 8.5,
<Mmm, due to the nature of this measure (base ten log), this is actually way high. I would be reading, allowing to drop>
still in a safe range. 0 nitrates, 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia, salinity 1.024, temp ranges fro 80 - 81 on a warm day. Housed with no corals, 150 lbs of Tonga lr, and a Malay Green Moray. Any ideas?
<Mmm, please send along a clear image... Likely this is no "big deal"... perhaps an internal structure coming forward...>
I've kept Condys for years and never seen this before. The one that the growths are on is relatively new(3 months). Is this a tubule regeneration?
<?>
I've heard of that but never seen it nor can I find much info on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
--
~ Glenn
<An image please Glenn. Bob Fenner>

Re: Purple Tipped Condylactis
Hi Bob,
The Ph of my tap water is 8.7
<Wowzah! Worse than ours in San Diego>
and the Indo-Pac sea water I buy and keep in my recycler comes in at 8.5. Whats the safest natural way to get that down?
<Mmm, need to figure out what the "booster is here"... may be carbonate... can be precipitated with a bit of Calcium, Magnesium>
Having a really hard time getting a clear shot of the growth but attached is the best one I have. It is a porous, sponge looking growth. It may be tubule generation(tentacle growing) as it is on the capitulum and the oral disc.
Any help would be great. As I said the coloration is wonderful and he eats normally. Thank you so much and have a great day.
~Glenn
<Mmm, this looks like a bit of the mesentery has broken through the capitulum... Really not a worry... will self-heal in time. Bob Fenner>

Re: Purple Tipped Condylactis
Thanks so much Bob! Hope ya had a great trip!
<Thank you Glenn... am still out! Back 6/21. B, in Indo... where the Net is slow slow slow>

Condy losing tentacles... Premnas, Algicide... -- 10/13/08 Dear Bob, I have had a Condy Anemone for about a year and a half now. The disk portion without the tentacles measures about 8 inches across when he is fully opened up, <Wow! Neat> and has always done very well in the tank. I also have a 4 inch Gold Stripe Maroon that has always hosted in the Condy <Mmm, sort of like me wrestling with Hulk Hogan... mis-matched... A Premnas is too much for this species> as well as a Coral Beauty, Pajama Cardinal, Bubble Coral, Leather Coral, some Button polyps and a few Hermits and snails. The tank is 40 gal. ( I know, a little cramped) Nitrates- 0 NItrItes-0 Alkalinity- 300 ppm Ph- 8.0 Specific gravity- 1.026 Temp. - 80 deg. These have been the residents for more than a year with no trouble and the tests always read the same, very stable. Here's the problem. For the last week the Condy has been losing tentacles from one side, they just shrivel and fall off from the base. He also has his whole body stuck to the rock, not just his foot. He still looks healthy and eats Mysis shrimp, but I don't think this is normal. What's going on? <In a word? Stress> The tank had a red slime algae problem that I treated twice in a row, <Mmm, one source... how treated? Chemically? See WWM re... dangerous, toxic direct and indirectly> and there is still some that grew back, this is the only abnormality for the tank. <Not... abnormal... au contraire> Could the Condy be splitting? <Mmm, not likely, no> It just looks like the tentacles are going to grow back there's no sores or anything and we use the protein skimmer aggressively. Is his life span up? Please advise me! Thanks in advance. Amanda <"You gotta get/and keep them separated... this Condylactis needs to be in another system... sans the Clown and Algicide. Bob Fenner>
Re: Condy losing tentacles 10/13/08 I usually treat the red slime with ChemiClean red algae remover, but it doesn't seem to be working this time, as the red stuff is back for round 3. >Mmmm, nothing has ever really worked to wipe out these Monerans... and as previously alluded, the process and cascade events after... often kill off a good deal else< Good news regarding the Condy. I woke up this morning to check my inbox for your response ( Thank you by the way ) and he had detached his body from the rock and turned to face the front, a bit more normal of a position, and I can see the lost tentacles growing back! Some already half an inch long with purple tips and all! As for the Maroon Clown /Condy relationship, they have been together for the entire year and a half with no trouble. >Mmm, more than you know perhaps< The Condy actually doubled in size when we got Bandit, our Maroon Clown and he decided that was his Anemone. He doesn't get inside, he just hangs out under the long tentacles and nuzzles the sides, but is VERY protective, and is good at feeding the Condy as well. Do you still think it is harmful for the Condy? <... please read on WWM re...> I think Bandit would just die without him! And any tips on naturally removing the red slime would be great. <... see WWM re BGA> Thanks again! Amanda <Welcome "loving one". BobF>

Ailing Anemone Condylactis? 8/3/08 I am sorry to pester you with this question but am at my wits end and have received helpful advice from your site in the past. Over a year ago I was gifted with a "green tipped purple anemone" by my partner. The anemone was placed into a 10 year old reef system and did beautifully for many months. The closest I could come to identification is based upon pictures and I believe it to be a Condylactis. January of this year, I was gifted again with a 125 gallon tank and equipment and moved everything out of the 55 and into the 125. <Nice!> The move went well, no organisms appeared stressed for more than a day or so. All seemed well until a couple of months ago. When my cleaner shrimp molted, he somehow got himself tangled up with the anemone who proceeded to eat him. I chose not to interfere not wanting to stress the anemone over much by attempting to yank something from his gullet. About one week after that, the anemone began moving around the tank much more than he had done in the past. (Indigestion?) <Mmm... sometimes go errant for no apparent reason/s> In the process, the anemone ran afoul of the intake tube for the filter. <Ohh!> I do not know precisely how long he was there but I promptly rescued him by shutting down the filters and shifting the intake. The anemone seemed fine and slowly continued to move away from the tubes so I wasn't concerned. Since then, it has not taken any food, going on two months), has shrunken to less than half of his original size, and is going through a deflate and re-inflate process daily. <This last is fine... good behavior actually> My question is this, since I do not want to risk the rest of my corals, should I remove and destroy the anemone or should I continue trying to get it to eat? <I'd move it to another coral-less area if you had/have one... a sump/refugium perhaps> I can see no visible damage but obviously it is stressed by something in the system. <Mmm, the other Cnidarians perhaps... could just be from the previous (two months back) trauma> It could be the large morsel of food, it could have been internally damaged when it came into contact with the intake tube, it may have been stung by one of the other corals while traveling about the tank. <Yes and yes> I am terrified by some of what I read on your discussion board and would hate to have the "explosion" I keep reading about. Some of my corals have been with me for the whole 10 years and I do not want to lose them but would hate to kill a specimen that might still recover due to lack of knowledge. Regards Beth Beardsley <Then I would definitely move this Anemone elsewhere. Bob Fenner>

Fix my Condy!!! 7/9/08 Hi my name is Matthew and I just got into saltwater aquariums, all the specs and water information is at home so I will get those to you as soon as possible to further help you in answering me, have read all your FAQs and didn't see an answer to this particular problem, I have the Condylactis anemone which naturally was the cheapest however the pet store owner failed to give me very much info and now that I see that it isn't very compatible with clown fish I am considering taking it back, but in the meantime I don't want any creature to die under my watch. I first put it in the tank in which it immediately stuck to the live rock, however the ends of the tentacles started fading turning an almost dark color. and parts of the tentacles withered up and fell off, just the tips though. <Sounds like a shocking change in water quality...was this animal acclimated?> Now though it seems it has fluctuated back and forth from healthy looking to near death. I shall take a picture tomorrow and send it to you with the water info. What should I do to keep him healthy until I see if I can take him back. <feed small pieces of meaty foods if it will accept them, keep water conditions pristine> Can it be as simple as better lighting conditions, and would having a uv light help any? <Lighting is certainly key with anemones, but this is not the problem here. A UV light would be of no assistance. As for clownfish compatibility, although Condylactis spp are not natural hosts of clownfish they can and do for host relationships in captive aquaria...do read, research re basic anemone requirements to make sure your aquarium is up to snuff. Benjamin>
Re: fix my Condy! - 7/9/08 7/12/08 http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=38096121 that is the link to my aquarium setup could you let me know if everything aquarium wise looks sufficient, i upgraded my light source as well this morning, however my anemone died this morning, i feel awful as nothing has ever died under my watch before, i think the problem was that i didn't let the aquarium completely cycle yet and the anemone suffered the consequences. <Yes, a serious problem. Do read on wetwebmedia.com re cycling. i immediately did a 15 percent water change after i found out he passed away so that the water wasn't completely destroyed. he had to only have been in there for an hour before i noticed. <Good to have removed him promptly. Do research before your next purchases, best of luck. Benjamin>

A possibly ill Condy 03/05/2008 Good evening! <<G'Afternoon, Andrew today>> I'm relatively new to reef tanks and a few months ago introduced my anemone. It has done very well thus far, however, a day or two ago, it became unattached and has remained that way. <<Anemone's will detach themselves for a reason, and this is usually down to flow and lighting>> Nothing chemically has changed in the tank and the lighting is adequate. I have increased the water flow but it certainly isn't strong enough to cause a problem. He is well fed and has a clown fish buddy... Any thoughts?? <<The nem was obviously unhappy with its current place, hence it is now moving to find another more suitable location. I would put the flow back to how it was before, or leave as, up to you. Ensure all your water parameters are excellent for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and calc at a minimum, hope fully it will settle soon enough>> <<Thanks for the questions, hope this helps. A nixon>>

Re: Condy Systems/Health 2/21/08 Dear, James (Salty Dog)> <Brian> Thanks for the quick reply! <You're welcome.> I'm sorry about the grammar errors. I had gotten so excited after finding your resource for info I jumbled everything together. <Tis OK, I just get tired of spending time correcting before posting, my volunteered time is very limited as I do have a full time job.> I'll try this again From what you replied, I need specific lighting for my Anemone. I should not classify it until I know for sure what species it is. See Picture. <Is definitely a Condylactis> I have fluorescent bulbs (2 x 20 watt) 1 is a 18,000 K and the other is an Actinic spectrum bulb. Both of these are T-8 and made by HAGEN. <The Kelvin temperature would work but the intensity (wattage) is much too low for keeping these anemones. A single 150 watt HQI would do the trick on your tank.> I have no reflectors for these bulbs. I am now wondering what could I fit to my 30" x 12" tank? <A Google search for aquarium lighting will bring gobs of links. Premium Aquatics for one, has a good selection of lighting systems including retros.> I am very handy and could build anything to fit. <Mmm, consider a retro.> I do get very little direct sunlight from a two pane window. I run my light from 8AM until 11PM manually, but I own a timer. I read that wattage is less important than output. <Output is the wattage or LUX. The Kelvin rating is the color temperature.> I am interested in making this tank work for just about anything but not anything new for awhile. Also I apologize for my lack of water information before. 02/20/2008 These are done with a common test kit. See Pics if it helps. <No help to me, looks like Kool-Aid suckers. Would need a reference chart.> I seem to have a spike in my nitrates. and in the ammonia a little these are usually 0 so I don't know what is causing this. <Excessive fish load can be one, as for the nitrates, excess nutrients.> I test about every week but I don't chart readings, maybe I should? <A good idea.> Anyways thanks in advance. <You're welcome.> pH 8.3ppm NH3/NH+4 0.25ppm NO3 20ppm <I'd try to keep this under 10ppm> NO-2 0.00ppm Salinity 1.023 @ 79 degrees I have no algae that I can see. But there was a Kenya tree that had gotten cold awhile back it is fine now, but part of it fell off. Could this be the culprit? <Would help, yes.> Creatures 4 Nassarius Snails 2 Mexican Turbo Snails 4 Blue Leg Hermit Crabs 2 Yellow Tail Blue Damsels 2 Serpent Starfish 6" each 20 Serpent Stars 1" less than 1 year old. 1 Anemone ( Please Indent For me ) 1 Scooter Blenny 1 Porcelain Crab 3 Small Kenya tree 37 Gallon Tall 30"x12"x22" 250 GPH Circulation pump Red Sea Protein Skimmer Tank Heater 2" sand and crushed coral base Several Rocks <Your fish load is not high, a plus.> I hope this helps you help me. Again thank you so much <You're welcome again. Do search our site on nutrient/nitrate control and reef lighting. James (Salty Dog)>
Brian.

Condy Question! Beh., hlth. 01/18/2008 Hello there! Kari here.. <<Hi Kari, Andrew here>> I have a (Hopefully) simple question... I have a fairly large Condylactis that I've had for about 6 months now in a tank with: 1 Clarkii Clownfish, 1 Yellow tail Damsel, 1 Lemon Damsel, 1 Stars and Stripes puffer >Mis-placed here. RMF< all living in a 55 gallon tank. I got the tank in November as an early Christmas present and it was already pre-set up with the damsels (yes yes.. I know.. woo damsels..) Well yesterday I did a 20 percent tank change with 1.021 saltwater. I added the 10 gallons in slowly, 5 in the morning and 5 at night. As I am finishing up on my last of the 5 gallons, I realize that my Condy is more or less just floating on the sand bed. That is Very unlike him, he has a favorite rock and never leaves that rock. Well my water kind of sent him for a ride, so with clean hands I scoop him up and place him on top of his rock. Well what worried me about this was when he moved, I noticed two 1/2inch pieces of his tentacles were shriveled up on the sandbed where he once was. I noticed instantly where the pieces use to be on the Condy because it looked like they had been twisted off and left that little twisted part on his tentacle. I know that when a Condylactis is dying, they will start to fall apart and poison your tank...I checked on him this morning and he was still exactly where I left him, seeming happy as can be. What could have caused this bit of tentacles to fall off? <<Anemone's are very very sensitive to water parameter changes and swings, was the water change water different to tank? Showing levels of ammonia or nitrate in the water? If the nem seems happy where it is, leave it alone, ensure that it receives food, either via the clown or by manually feeding it yourself>> Now the Clarkii does host in him, but that little guy (or gal) loves that anemone to let anything near it, I've never seen him bite at the anemone either. Please help! Thank you so much for your time! Kari <<Thanks for the questions, A Nixon>>

Two unidentified 'things' and a Condylactis anemone problem <Hello Anonymous Querior, Mich here.> I have what I am fearing might be a pest of some sorts, it resides on the rock with the Zoanthids and the mushrooms. I have tried to take pictures of it, and I will send those along. <Looks like a Chiton to me. Chitons are harmless herbivores.><<... Mich, count the body segments... look at the legs... RMF>> Our population of Zoa polyps has been slowly shrinking, several of the different kinds on the rock have altogether disappeared. <Not likely related to the Chitons.> This 'thing' is reddish in color, about 1/4 inch long, hard to the touch, yellowish underneath, and looks like it has 'plates' on it's back. I picked it off the rock this afternoon and sucked it up in a baster (kept just for the tank) and placed it in a shallow container until I find out if it is ok to keep in there. I guess it reminds me most of a roly-poly bug, but flatter. <This does not look like an isopod to me.> <<Does to RMF>> The other thing is in the sump on a small piece of rubble rock. It looks almost like 'skin' and has two inlet/outlet tubes. <Sounds like a tunicate, a harmless filter feeder.> It's mostly clear and has a texture to the surface like a fingerprint. This is just a pure curiosity question, since I am sure it's not harmful. <Nope, not harmful.> The final thing, while I have someone's 'ear' is about our Condy. It looks like it has the measles. I'm not joking. It has small reddish spots all over its tentacles, it has white spots on its body. <Brenda, our resident anemone expert, said this can be normal color variation, but without a photo she could really say much beyond that.><<? I have never seen such a variant>> I fear it is not doing well at all. <I'm sorry. Is there anything beyond the color changes that make you think this?> We have had it since last January or so, and it did wonderfully up until about 3 weeks ago. All of our water chemistry is in normal parameters. Thank you for having such a great forum and making your time available to those of us still learning. <Welcome! We are all learners here. Mich> <<I'll say! RMF>>

Re: Two unidentified 'things' and a Condylactis anemone problem -- 11/12/07 Thank you for your reply. Sorry I forgot to say, my name is Veronica. <Hello Veronica, Brenda and Mich here! Brenda is handling the anemone and Feather Duster questions. Michelle is taking care of the Chiton ID.> I hope that Chiton is still alive; it was rather neat to see once in a while. <Hello formally anonymous querior! Mich here! RMF say's this is not a Chiton but is an isopod. You should be able to tell the difference by looking at the underside. If it has feet, it is an isopod'¦ if it has a snail like bottom it is a Chiton.> I did do a search and confirm your ID. As for the Anemone, the appearance of the red spots was sudden; its normal color is uniform pinkish tan. I got a good picture to show tonight, I will attach it. We have a 2 year old who likes to throw stuff in the sump, and we found a battery in there one day and a couple of metal balls that go with magnetic toys. <That would definitely explain the sudden change. It is time for some child safety locks.> We lost a birds nest coral (very small) and the anemone bleached. <I'm not surprised.> Then it got these red spots all over it. It relocated (had stayed where it was from the day we got it). It has been shriveling and re-inflating more than normal. <It is expelling waste and trying to rid itself of the toxins.> It does appear to be recovering from the bleaching. <Good!> We've done water changes and are running carbon to remove any toxins. <Keep up with the water changes. I also suggest changing carbon at a minimum of every few days for a while.> Since writing my last letter to you, our feather duster, which was losing 'feathers' for the last week disappeared altogether. It has done so twice before, but never have we noticed it losing feathers like that. <Everything in your system has been stressed in some way because of the objects in your sump.> I guess time will tell if it is ok. <Yes, time will tell.> I am always very grateful for your advice and input. Veronica. Ooops! I forgot to attach the picture to my email. Here is my spotted anemone. <Yes, I see this. It is definitely bleached and spotted. Likely caused from the battery and other items placed in the sump. A lot of water changes, proper feedings and good husbandry is the best you can do for now. Good luck to you! Brenda and Mich>

Re: Anemone with parasite? Cnidocyst production, concentration in a recovering Condy 12/9/07 I have previously written with some problems concerning our Condylactis anemone (bleaching and then "spots"). <Yes, I recall... the corr. is archived here: http://wetwebmedia.com/condydisfaq.htm> It appears/appeared to be recovering. It is staying inflated far longer, back to it's original size, and is no longer bleached. <All good signs> We think the spots were it's zooxanthellae (sp?) coming back in a patchy fashion perhaps. The contamination in the tank has been removed, the skimmer is working halfway, and we got our light fixtures cleaned and more lighting added. Our newest concern is that it has several white 'things' that appear to be embedded part way in it's tentacles. It is visible in at least two tentacles. They look sort of like grains of rice. Any ideas? <Likely "batteries" of re-generated cnidocysts... and your good vision/observation. Not a worry. Bob Fenner>

Condy questions... Actually small marine, too much too soon... maint. -- 09/23/07 Love the website, its a wealth of info. <Thank you> I have a 24 gallon AquaPod and its only about 2 weeks old. We started it out with crushed coral, live sand, Instant Ocean, some live rock, a Damsel and a strawberry Basslet, 1 Condy anemone (he was a nice handful in size at first), 1 Chocolate Chip Starfish (he hasn't left the glass until now), 2 Emerald Crabs and 2 hermit crabs (wife couldn't resist getting more than just damsels in the beginning) a 1 Mantis Shrimp and some bristle worms (both been caught and disposed of). <Whoa!!! This is way too much life for such a small, new system...> The tank is cycling right now (brown algae all over the place, green starting) but my anemone is all shrunk down (his bottom is still inflated but his tentacles are all shrunk/shriveled up). I am wondering if he is in the process of dying, there is some stringy stuff around him, not coming from his orifice but more like off his outside. <Might be...> The Starfish is missing a choc-chip and he doesn't hardly move at all now and is camped out on the bottom and lifting his arms once in a while. Not sure if he is sick or dying. <Likely the latter...> Am I prematurely worrying <Ah, no> or is this tank and its inhabitants doing what they should be doing when a tank cycles? <... they are doing what is too likely to happen from being jammed into too new a non-cycled system of this type... Dying from stress> I don't want to kill anything/everything if I can do anything about it. Bob in Florida <... Time, past time for you to read. Start here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/small.htm and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Condi? Haitian? what's wrong with this picture 5/3/07 Hello all, Me again. <... who?> ok what's wrong with this picture? the big Anenome (in picture 1) was sold to me as a Pink Tipped Haitian. However is slightly unlike my smaller pink tip. He's huge. Am I correct to believe it's a Florida Condi? <Likely a different species... of Condylactis.. though the small one could just be bleached, diminished in size. Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condylactis.htm and the linked files above> Really that isn't the reason for e-mailing you again! (but is it?) When I bought the Anenome, it's tentacles were white, almost transparent clear. It's been 2 weeks now and he seems "rusty" or a little brown. <A good sign actually> The small Anenome is still white. water is WNL with the exception of the Nitrates being 20 (they re always 20) course I have some brown algae but I like that for the cucumber, urchins, and crabs. my lighting is 6 T5 daylight VHO (total of 60 000K) plus a 32 watt 420 Actinic AND a 40 watt 18,000 power-Glo on a 55gallon. Apparently I should be able to grow anything, or so I was told. The 6 T5's are new, I added them gradually. <Good> I had 4 lights added and 2 to go when I introduced the Anenome. I read on another website while searching for this discoloration for the last 3 hours, that the "rusty" color means it's healthy. <Generally, yes> I was unable to find anything else about this kind of Anenome or illness or anything anywhere. Since you guys and gals have never failed me, I thought I'd ask ya. Is this a good thing or is it going to croak over and toxify my critters. (Please tell me it's healthy). <Read on> Oh yeah, I should probably mention what Mr. Anenome eats. He eats shrimp and krill (one or the other) about every 5-7 days, I alternate. Plus I put in some of DT's live Marine Phytoplankton once a week for the feather duster. I did slip him another Krill today (shell on) wondering if it was an iodine deficiency, gobbled it right up and only 4 days since he last ate, he will also occasionally catch some stray flake food or frozen brine. My LFS only fed him/her once a week, and I only feed my other Anenome (and starfish) once a week (5-7 days). Boy I sure can make a short story go on and on huh? Ok while I have you on the line.... it was feeding time and I always do a "well check" 2 times a day. usually around 9pm (which it is) my hermit crab, Guido, gets naked and crawls in and out of various shells, lights on in front of god and everybody. My Big Anenome, the one in question here also moves up the rock and my pincushions "dress up" little more than during the day, one is actually sporting a blue silk flower from a fake plant (had to snap a picture). Is this normal evening behavior for critters? <Likely so for this setting> they all seem to have their own personality, but they're "rubbing off" on each other or something. It's hilarious. At least they're all mobile and we're all having a good time. I wish predictable Humans were this much fun. Have a great one.
Thanks in advance.
Rochelle
<RMF>

Condylactis/Health 1/22/07 Hello. <Hi Shawn.> Great web site with a lot of excellent information. <Thank you.> I found a question like mine, but I would like a little more information on the subject. I have a 40g tank with all water parameters in great condition except alkalinity which I can not get to come down from 5.03 meq/L. My lighting is two 65 watt PC. I have had what I'm sure is a Condylactis. When I bought it the color was very white with purplish tip and a orange base. It stayed that way for 2-3 months and then almost overnight it changed to a light brownish/greenish color. The base is still a nice orange color. It has been like this for about 2 months now and I was wondering how long it will stay this color. It eats well and appears healthy in all other respects. <Not uncommon for this to happen. It is a photosynthetic animal and the change in lighting intensity is more than likely the cause of this.> It hosts a clown fish also and I notice that most information on this type of anemone says that Condylactis don't host fish. <They really don't have much of a choice on whether they will host fish or not. If the fish wants to call it home, it's home. On the other hand, clownfish do not generally prefer this anemone, but if their natural host is not present, some will adapt to other anemones.> Will I wake up one day and my clown be missing? <Unlikely> Also any information you could give me about lowering my Alkalinity would be great. I use a RO/DI filter for my water, but the pH of the water straight from the filter is about 4.0, so I add a buffer and the PH goes to normal. Then when I add the salt, the Alkalinity goes up to 5 or higher. <Five or higher?? What scale, meq/L or dKH? If it is dKH, the alkalinity is a little low, if it is meq/L, it is high. I need to know which scale you are using before I can respond to this question.> Thanks for your time. <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> Shawn

Condy Anemone injury 9/26/06 Hello! I've have had a very beautiful Condy for 4+ months now. He recently got stuck on the intake of my powerhead. <Need to be covered/screened...> After turning off the powerhead and waiting, he moved to another part of the aquarium. He is now a lot smaller than he originally was, and I am worried that he may not be able to feed himself properly. He doesn't have as many or as long of tentacles as he used too. His mouth is now always visible. The injury happened about 1.5 weeks ago. I have since covered the intake of the powerhead with a foam sponge. <Good idea> Should I be doing something special to feed this guy? <Perhaps. Worth trying> He's looking pretty good considering what he has gone through, but I'm worried that he might be starving. Thanks in advance! RK <Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condyanemones.htm and the linked files above. BobF>
Re: Condy Anemone injury 9/27/06 Bob: Thanks so much for your input. My concern with this Anemone is how to feed him. Since so many of his tentacles are missing, he doesn't seem to be able to move any food that he catches to his mouth. Should I try to insert food directly into his mouth?? RK <Can, I would. BobF>

Anemones/Systems - 04/11/2006 Hi, From Mobile AL! <Hello from Sessile Michigan.> Just wanted to drop buy to ask a question or two. <C'mon in!> First I have a 10 gallon tank that has been up and running for almost 2 years now. I had a Condy, that just recently passed. My water parameter were great. Are they slow dying creatures? Was my tank to small for him? <Yes, and faster if conditions for keeping such are not met. See here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm> Thanks for everything! This site rocks!!!! Thank you Dana from Mobile Al. <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>

Condylactis On The Prowl - 12/15/05 Hi......long time no talk..... <<Howdy>> Tank is doing pretty well...why you haven't heard from me.....all are fine and I have some long time inhabitants including a Condylactis anemone who has been with us for about 6 years..... <<An exceptional accomplishment indeed...let's hope all goes well for 6 more...>> OK ....maybe 5 but anyway since the beginning when he was sent to me who had no idea what to do with him......Had to learn fast.... He has been happy but of late decided to hang out on the rim near the glass top of the tank..... <<Mmm, maybe not so "happy" now.>> I really want him back on the live rock...I have a gut feeling that this is best for him..... <<Better than the top of the tank, yes. I have found they often enjoy a soft/sandy substrate as well.>> Can I help him to move? Can I grab him in any way with out hurting him?...... Any input would be helpful..... Thanks....... <<Relocating an anemone is always risky, any damage to the foot can be lethal. Your best bet is if this critter is completely on the glass and you can gently pry the foot loose with the edge of your thumbnail...else you might be better off waiting for it to move on its own. You also need to find out why it is on the move. Possible changes in water quality?...lighting?...water flow? Regards, EricR>> Florida Condy 8/4/05 Hi Bob, <Jason> My Florida Condy had picked a spot in my tank and stayed there for weeks, He now moves around all night and stays where he is during the day and moves again. <Indicating?> The other day he was resting on the sand and tilted? is this bad I've read it can be. What ways can I tell if its in distress? <Isn't "normal", healthy...> Also the white tentacles have started to get a tint of brown to them. Is this normal? good/bad? <Generally better> Thanks for the great site which has become my bible on saltwater tanks Jason <Read on my brother. Bob Fenner>

Florida Condy anemone Vanished 7/15/05 Hey All, <Babylon> Thanks for the great site. <Welcome> My problems is that I bought a Florida Condy the other day and after floating around and landing on a spot It seemed fine (after acclimating it of course). When I went to sleep everything seemed fine, however when I woke up in the morning it had Vanished?? <Houdini!> My fish are fine and I see a very small this layer of white slime where it was. Here's what I have in my tank 40 gallons: 2 clown fish, 2 damsels, 1 serpent star, 1 brittle star, 1 emerald crab, 1 scarlet hermit crab, 1 sally light footed crab, feather dusters, some pillar coral, pink cucumber and turbo snails and a lot of LR. My water parameters are 0- ammonia, nitrates and nitrites, 8.4 Ph and 1.24 salinity. my light is a 10,000k Daylight lamp with 1-65w white and actinic bulb with lunar light. I checked my filters and I've tried looking around the live rocks, but don't want to have to remove them all to try to pinpoint it. Should I worry <Too late for that... might have gotten sucked into your pump/intake... dissolved... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sebaesysfaqs.htm and the linked files above. I would be doing a large water change... watching my livestock. Bob Fenner>

Anemone In Distress? Hi <Hi there! Scott F. here today> Have recently purchased a Condylactis anemone. Brought it home, and it was doing well for about a week. Now his tentacles seem to shrivel up. Why does it do this? It seems to do this to all areas of itself so I am not sure if something is wrong or not. I took a sample of my water to a fish store and everything checked out. Please help. Thanks <Well, there are many factors that affect anemone health. Water chemistry parameters are just part of the equation. Look into nutrition, etc. as well. Lighting is another very important factor, perhaps the single most important factor. Light intensity, specifically. Re-asses your environmental parameters, and adjust as needed. We have lots of good information here on the WWM site! Good luck! Regards, Scott F>

Condylactis anemone Hello and I thank you in advance for your help!! My husband and I set up our salt water tank about 6 months ago. It is a 29gal. We used live sand and live rock... we have 2 damsels, 2 emerald crabs, 4 hermit crabs, a cleaner shrimp, a clownfish and an anemone.. a Condy (I think). The anemone has a orange/peach body with white tentacles that have a small purple dot on the tip of each tentacle. << Sounds like it. >> For the first few days it looked perfect. We test our water regularly and find no major shifts or abnormal levels. But one morning I woke up to find it had unattached itself from a piece of rock and fell behind the rocks. It was completely withered. It looked very dead. My husband picked it up and moved it to the center of the tank where the lights are bright and by the next morning it looked perfect again. We thought it was a one time event due to temperature...It was up to 80 due to the heat turning on in the house. (First cold night of Fall and we failed to think to adjust the tank heater.) But within a week I noticed it withers again. It has continued to wither every few days. We have fed him several times and for the most part appears very healthy. But he continues to wither often. Please help us... we have tried to figure out what we are doing wrong or if the anemone is unhealthy and should be removed from our tank. << Well the biggest question is what type of lights you have? I have a 29 gal with two 150 watt halides. I'd recommend at least four 55 watt pc lights in that tank. >> Our local fish shop says it is normal, but I can't see how this is normal. << My Condy does the same thing. But it withers once every few months, so this may be a problem. >> I thank you again for your time and help in solving our withering anemone mystery. << Please check lighting requirements and see if that is the problem. >> Becki Varner << Blundell >>

Condylactis Anemones Hello, <Good Morning> My name is Savanah and my brother has recently started a saltwater tank. He got a Condy Anemone and it was doing fine. Then one night when we got back from dinner the anemone was in a ball and there was no tentacles showing at all. Is it dying? What do we need to do? Please help us if you can. <Savanah, you don't list any specifics on the tank...size, lighting, etc. Condys do what you describe occasionally. Also, check your ammonia and nitrite levels. Do a Google search on the Wet Web, keyword "anemones". There you will find information on keeping these anemones. James (Salty Dog)>

Dead Condylactis Anemone Hello my favorite people at WWM. <cheers Pam> I need to find out why my Condylactis died. It was fed regularly with liquid plankton and assorted frozen marine food. My tank conditions were/are very good these days thanks to the chat link on your site. Nitrates 20, nitrites 0, Ph 8.3, salt 1.024. I only had it for about 4 weeks! Thanks for your input! Pam <there are many possible reasons. Any symptoms you can share? Did the animal become infected/necrotic (slimy/snotty) or did it shrink until it disappeared? Any other behavior symptoms will help with a diagnosis. Anthony>

Re: Dead Condylactis It shrunk till it disappeared. When I scooped it up in a Dixie cup, it seemed to be losing pieces and made the water cloudy. Down the toilet it went. Pam <sounds like a problem with a physical parameter (inadequate lighting, current etc. A toxin in the water could have caused the same. And infection/pathogen on the other hand would have taken the animals' life VERY rapidly. 24-24 hour rapid necrosis. Do consider if water color is not tinted (reduces light if carbon is not regularly used), aged bulbs, anemone too deep in tank, lamps not bright enough, etc. Another possibility is feeding foods that were too large causing damage. Nothing larger than finely minced ocean meats (1/4 inch or smaller). Large chunks of food are VERY bad for anemones. Just because the blind stinging animal stings it and pulls it in doesn't mean its good for it. Take humans and smoking for example <G>. Regards, Anthony>

Sick Condylactis? Hello WetWeb Guys! 4 days ago, I bought a Large Condylactis Anemone, pink. It floated down to a crevice in the rock and stayed there looking very content and animated as it's tentacles drifted in the current. Today, it is sitting on the bottom of the tank a couple inches below it's original perch. It doesn't look quite as happy. It's tentacles are not waving about, but just kind of hanging straight up. You know, like a dead arm in the water. It's not moving about like before either, so of course I'm concerned. <Anemones do not wave their tentacles. It is the current that moves them and the current is probably weaker in this spot. Resist the urge to move the anemone to where you like it. They will usually find a spot they like.> I was at this link of yours: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/atl_anemfaqs.htm but didn't see anything about symptoms of a sick Condylactis. So, I'm asking you. My nitrates are a bit high right now, about 60ppm, because I haven't had a skimmer for 2 days. <Are you using a source of purified water, RO or DI? They are my strong preference. Two days is not a lot of time to accumulate nitrate.> I just bought a new one, a AquaC Remora PRO HOT Skimmer, and I'm waiting for it's arrival. <A good skimmer. It should help, but may not completely alleviate your nitrate problem.> My salinity is a nice 1.023, right on for a change. I did a 7 gallon water change yesterday. Temp is 79F. Do you have an answer? Thanks, Pam <Time will tell if this animal has a real problem or merely adjusting. Not much to do except provide an ideal environment. -Steven Pro>

Re: Sick Condylactis? Just to answer your one question, I am using aged water that I store in a 30 gal bucket, aerated, salted, warmed and ready to go. <Good> Anemones don't wave their tentacles? Hmmmmm, maybe it was the powerhead I removed above him for my 30 gallon bucket! ~Pam <That is probably the reason for the change. -Steven Pro>

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