Anemone Escaping

[gotteeguy]

I have a green carpet anemone. I only have 1 T5 light, so I had to put the anemone in the refugium, about 3 or 4 inches away from the only T5 light. He seemed to hate it but he was doing well. He has no signs of dying. But he's been trying to escape from the refugium from day one. At night he would always loosen his grip on the substrate, then float to the top of the refugium and try to get over the top, into the main tank. He successfully did that last night and now is in a dark part of the main tank. This I cannot understand. Why would he move from a well lit area in the fuge, just to go and die in a dark part of the aquarium? Maybe the refugium is not wide enough and he couldn't loosen up?

 

[gotteeguy]

Here's the anemone in the refugium (pic taken 3 days ago).

Here's a couple pics of him out of the fuge.

 

[ben1987]

its not just light that makes them want to move. theres loads of different things that makes them comfy. They find a spot THEY like, not you.

 

[AK77]

If you only have 1 T5 light what size is your tank??

As Ben says, its not just the light. They are at the end of the day live animals and will move to a location they are happy with. You'll probably find there was insufficient flow in the refugium and that is why the anemone is moving. Its probably looking for an area with stronger current so that food would naturally be drawn across its path.

 

[ben1987]

its a 55g i think, we had the not enough light convo before!

 

[AK77]

I'm getting old and crusty Ben. I'm lucky if I remember what day of the week it is.

 

[ben1987]

i dont think you were in it, reckon it was me and seffie. But we told him he needed to get some more lights over it!

 

[AK77]

That would be why then lol.

 

[gotteeguy]

Yeah I've only saved up half for another T5 with individual reflectors.

For now, should I let it be or move it back (and aim a powerhead at the refugium)?

 

[AK77]

Personally, I'd just let it be. The nem should position itself in the most favourable location in the tank. I wouldn't move the powerhead as it may decrease the flow around the LR enough to cause deadspots, which in turn may create more imminent problems.

Just out of interest where abouts are you located?

 

[gotteeguy]

Florida, USA.

 

[steelhealr]

What is the volume of that refugium that you have that anemone in SH

 

[gotteeguy]

What is the volume of that refugium that you have that anemone in SH

It's a hang on fuge, so it's only a 4 gallon.

 

[steelhealr]

You can't put an anemone in 4 gallons of water. Most need a minimum of 20 - 30 gallons. No wonder....Anemones are beautiful animals that move around. In the wild, they can grow quite large. Honestly, it shouldn't be in a 4 gallon refugium. SH

 

[gotteeguy]

Ok I'll let it be.