Anemones

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Sylvias

Feeder Fish
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Jul 23, 2010
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I am slightly confused about them... Not keeping them..but we have them at work... and they always look like crap.... and I was told by my managers that we don't feed them because they photosynthesize? Is this true? I didn't realize that other anemones had the same types of algae that corals have that enable them to photosynthesize...
and if so, what are some ideas as to why all our anemones are bleaching and beginning to look like ghosts.
 
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Heathd

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Mar 9, 2010
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Sylvias;4421961; said:
I am slightly confused about them... Not keeping them..but we have them at work... and they always look like crap.... and I was told by my managers that we don't feed them because they photosynthesize? Is this true? I didn't realize that other anemones had the same types of algae that corals have that enable them to photosynthesize...
and if so, what are some ideas as to why all our anemones are bleaching and beginning to look like ghosts.
Click to expand...
Anemones contain zooxanthellae (or however you spell it) that allows them to receive nutrients from photosynthesis. However, most anemones become stressed during extended transport and they expel the zooxanthellae and get the bleached look you are referring to. With some time, they will regain this, and even if they are healthy and haven't expelled the tiny protozoas they should be fed meaty items that are size appropriate.

Your managers are sorely confused.
 
F

FLESHY

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 7, 2006
5,542
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Yes...the food should be small enough that it is easy for the anemone to eat, and it should keep it down. If it is regurgitated and not fully digested the food was either too large or not appropriate.
 
snyder810

snyder810

Gambusia
MFK Member
Mar 20, 2008
759
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i'd say if they always look bad it's a lighting or water quality issue (although they do need fed). what kind of lights do you keep them under? as i suspect that's your store's problem
 
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Sylvias

Feeder Fish
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Jul 23, 2010
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I have no idea about the lights... but i know they were looking great for a while, kept all the colors and appeared healthy for weeks... during this time the only feeding i actually know about is when the general manager showed one of the other associates that you can feed them feeder fish (as in feeder gold fish.... is that even a good thing? seems a salt water invert should be eating salt water prey....) Since then I have not seen anyone feeding them and our aquatics "specialist" told me they don't need food.....
 
F

FLESHY

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 7, 2006
5,542
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Central Wisconsin
Your up for promotion. Your store is run by people who...may know what they are doing...but why do something that you KNOW isnt as good for the animal as something else they can do?

Like I said before appropriate foods are important. A volunteer in my lab once tried to feed baitfish to our BTA's. I wanted to slap him. They puked them all up shortly after swallowing them.
 
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Sylvias

Feeder Fish
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Jul 23, 2010
898
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The problem is that they won't do things that are healthier for an animal..simply becuas they are healthier... if the don't absolutely HAVE to do it to keep it alive then they wont, because that costs them money..... thats why they use calci sand for the leopard geckos, or reptile carpet. thats why they wont bother to take a $15 iguana to the vet if something is wrong with it or move a $6 anole to the back for a little more tlc because it's getting picked on.
Don't get me wrong.. i do enjoy my job but they don't care for things as much as i believe they should...my manager is actually a decent guy and he tries to do what he can...but the corporate side of things keeps his hands tied
It's infruriating some times when i tell them we should or could be doing things better and they don't care or can't change it because of corporate rules....
 
F

FLESHY

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 7, 2006
5,542
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Central Wisconsin
Thats partially true, but stock like anemones arent cheap to replace.

That being said, not everyone wants to buy one either. If he doesnt do what it takes (how expensive is krill?) to keep it alive in the short term, he wont make money on it long term. So...he needs to take that into consideration.
 
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