Is It Dying?

[jeffopentax]

My nem isn't looking so good these days. I've seen it deflate and shrivel for a day or so in the past, but it has always expanded back to its full size (easily 7" in diameter). For the last three days it has stayed shrunken and deflated. Currently about 3" in diameter. It's in the middle of my cube, so couldn't get a real good pic. Why does the center look the way it does?

 

[sunnykita]

I can't really tell much looking at that photo, can you get a clearer one Jeff?

 

[jeffopentax]

I can try in the morning. Fish are asleep!

 

[reefgeek]

might it be be splitting, aka self fragging?

 

[saltyair]

Imo it looks like it has expelled its guts, which is a sign of infection. Usally once the guts are expelled they are a goner.
On the hopeful side it could be splitting and the photo is blurred around the mouth.

Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[jeffopentax]

I'm hoping it's splitting, but looks unlikely. These pics aren't much better than first, but didn't have time this morning to get out dslr.

 

[saltyair]

Yea unfortunately its dying - did you notice that the mouth was open last few weeks? Or a browning around the mouth? Anemones are prone to bacterial infection. How long have you had it? What kind of feeding?
You might want to remove it when u get home - it can make a mess if pieces hit the fans.

 

[jeffopentax]

Yea unfortunately its dying - did you notice that the mouth was open last few weeks? Or a browning around the mouth? Anemones are prone to bacterial infection. How long have you had it? What kind of feeding?
You might want to remove it when u get home - it can make a mess if pieces hit the fans.

A couple weeks ago it moved to the underside of the big rock in picture. From what i could see it was still inflated. Last few days it has been shrivelled, so last night i flipped over the rock to see what was going on. I really don't know exactly when it started to progress to it's current state. I've had it since early september. Used to give it pieces of table shrimp once in awhile. Seemed to be thriving. Sucks if you're right!

 

[Kevin Tran]

not sure, is it dying or it trying to split ? i am with reefgeek on this one

 

[jeffopentax]

When they start to get sick or die, do they try to split to survive? Maybe it 's doing both.

 

[Kevin Tran]

feed it a small piece of shrimp and see if it eating or not.

 

[scubasteve]

hate to break it thats how mine looked in the ol 65 gal before it honked out..... nems are sensitive to phosphates especially and i know its what caused mine to do that

 

[saltyair]

Hard to say 100 % but I have had bta split and it didn't look like that. Unfortunately if it is splitting it won't eat. If its falling apart get it out before it messes up the tank.
I really hope im wrong

 

[Kevin Tran]

Is it falling apart or it just saggy looking ?

 

[KBennett]

I have a sneaky suspicion that this might have been mine at one point....You got it from Poseidon?
It was always really moody. I almost threw it out a few times because I thought it was a goner. It always bounced back. I had it for about 16 months.

 

[jeffopentax]

I have a sneaky suspicion that this might have been mine at one point....You got it from Poseidon?
It was always really moody. I almost threw it out a few times because I thought it was a goner. It always bounced back. I had it for about 16 months.

Your suspicion is likely correct! Good to hear it may not be a goner. It was somewhat more inflated this morning. Not sure if that means anything though.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Hows the nem today?

 

[jeffopentax]

Looks about the same, although center isn't as puffy as before. Will it lose its "glow" under actinic light if it's dead?

 

[jeffopentax]

I think it is probably a goner

 

[harleymike]

Ya, he doesn't look good at all. Be careful, I believe he may mess up your tank with toxins. Might want to check into that.