Why Is My Anemone Shrinking?

[Coryd]

My Bubble Tip Anemone has been shrinking over the past week. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate, 8.2 pH, 1.025 salinity. It's in a 75-gallon tank with two Clownfish, a Cleaner Shrimp, and some Zoas. Lighting is AI Prime 16HD, 8 hours a day. I feed it mysis shrimp every other day. Any ideas what's up?

[learns]

How old is your tank? Anemones can be sketchy in newer setups. Also, what's your temp and alkalinity? Sometimes they freak out if those swing too much.

[SeaWavz]

Yo, check your flow too. BTA's don't dig crazy current. Mine bounced back when I dialed down the MP40. Also, they're picky about light, maybe tweak the intensity if it's too harsh.

[flipper9]

Mine did the same thing last month. Turned out my magnesium was low. Fixed it with Red Sea Reef Foundation and it perked up in a few days.

[landonx]

Yo, check your flow too. BTA's don't dig crazy current. Mine bounced back when I dialed down the MP40. Also, they're picky about light, maybe tweak the intensity if it's too harsh.

Good point on the flow. I had to move mine away from the powerhead because it kept getting blasted. Now it's chilling in a low-flow spot and looks way happier.

[reelpro]

Could be stress from the Clowns messing with it too much. Mine shriveled up when my pair got too clingy. Maybe give it some space if they're all over it.

[Coryd]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Tank's been up for a year, temp is 78, alk is 8 dKH. I'll check the flow and maybe move it to a quieter spot. Appreciate the help!

[learns]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Tank's been up for a year, temp is 78, alk is 8 dKH. I'll check the flow and maybe move it to a quieter spot. Appreciate the help!

Sounds like your params are solid. If it's still acting weird after adjusting the flow, try a small water change. Sometimes trace elements get out of whack.

[SeaWavz]

Also, don't stress if it takes a minute to bounce back. These guys can be drama queens. Mine looked like a raisin for a week before it plumped up again.

[flipper9]

Yep, patience is key. Just keep an eye on it and avoid making too many changes at once. That's how I nuked my first BTA.