Octopus and clown fish help needed

[Sahara]

Hey guys i have just set up my new salt tank, which im very happy with i got some live rock last week and have found all sorts of life on it shrimps, star fish, crabs a nudibranch to, so im ver excited.. anyway i got the rest of supplies 2 days ago ananame and coral and 2 blank and white clown fish yesterday (sunday) and later found out i also have an octupus hiding in the rock to, all ihave seen is 2 black and white tentacles but i think he is pretty big one, a tentacle came out about 2 inches long whilst trying to bait him out with prawn. That didnt work, i got told to try dousing him in fresh water and he may come out if not he would die, i tried that whilst scared to death of me other little creatures dying, he didnt come out. anyway he has disappeared but i saw a squirt has come out from a rock, which i know is from him and im stuck as what to do, te aquarium has said they will swop the rock but i dont realy want to loose the life i have on it and my nudibranch, anyone have any ideas please....

plus since i added the clown fish they dont seem to be wandering very far in the tank and havent found the ananame yet, they seem to venture a little more at night than during the day is this normal to hang in one area ot is it becasue they are stressed

[judgemax]

the pet shop didn't know it had an octopus? I don't know anything about them, but I do think, if all that came on your live rock,. i wanna buy where you did!

[archer772]

More likely mini brittle star fish than an octopus

[archer772]

Just so you know most nudis arent good for reef tanks

[judgemax]

the clowns will not travel far, when just added, what are your water parameters, and how long ago did you actually set this up. what occupants have you put in knowingly, and yes, most fish will be more active after dark. however, if you truly have an octopus, it will feed after dark, and will eat hermit crabs.Have you been noticing empty shells near its cave?..

[Sahara]

REply to Archer772 and Judgemax...ok new lingo for me..water parameters..?? its a 50 ltr tank and i have tested all water for ammonia etc if that wat u mean and it fine, tempreture at 26/27 i set the main tank up over a month ago and have left it to run it natural process and had waters cheked each time,, added live rock about week and half ago found little criters etc, i woke up one morning and turned lights on on the tank and something was on the rock which disappeared rapidly, and everynow and again i see like a spurt of water and slime/debirs come from within the rock, anyway it happ yesterday and thats where i saw the 2 black and white tentacles come from which making me to believe it an octopus, when i baited it with prawn it reached out pretty far to grab it, im not sure if star fish can do that but they are heaps of species so dont quite me on it..so my conclusion is an octopus..but could be very wrong.. i havent spottd any shells but im kinda worried about him eating my fish if it is... please excuse my typing

[archer772]

Check out this link and see if they looked any thing like them
http://www.michiganreefers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57135

[Sahara]

wow that kinda freaky to say the least, yes the tentacles do look like that and come to think of it there was a very small mini brittle starfish in the bucket i had another rock in, this morning, so yes it a possibility. so what could be doing the squirting everynow and again the starfish??, and does it ever come out of the hole? sry so many question..just trying to figure out what it is and would these reach up to grab a prawn haha b great pictures by the way

[Grins]

It sounds like you're moving really fast on this tank and that is a bit worrisome. If you're interested in getting some help with moving forward as well as what has already been giving in identifying the starfish, could you list the species you've bought for the tank (looks like you might even have an anemone?), your tank specs (equipment), test results (actual numbers) and your plans for the tank?

Oh and welcome to AC!

[Sahara]

OK the tank is An AquaOne 500, 50ltrs...i had the saltwater process runing for about a month beofrei added the live rock in about 2 wks ago. i have 2 filters, an undergravel filter which came with the tank and which has about a 1/2 cm cover of crushed coral plus a fluval filter to..the tests to date bearing in mind the upset of the tank the last few days with a poss octupus and having to take the rock out are Ph 7.8 which is low..Ammonia 0.50 which is just over... Saltwater nitrate No3 is in between 10 and 20 and the No2 is 1.0 so they are all out today...so far in the tank live rock which was added near 2 weeks ago and then this weekend anemone, a brain and some coral plus 2 black and white clown fish.- (i thought i should wait for the fish but was told it was ok)..who seem to be having a ball since yesterday and are loving the anemone..anyway your input is appreciated the aquriam i deal with have been reguarly helping with advice and checking my water levels to before anything else was added but yes please help, i ahve had tanks before but this is my first SW.. future plans poss another pair of clowns and some bottom dweeling fish.i obviously need a cleaning crew not sure what to get tho...any ideas sorry to sound like a newb hehe



It sounds like you're moving really fast on this tank and that is a bit worrisome. If you're interested in getting some help with moving forward as well as what has already been giving in identifying the starfish, could you list the species you've bought for the tank (looks like you might even have an anemone?), your tank specs (equipment), test results (actual numbers) and your plans for the tank?

Oh and welcome to AC!

[Sahara]

hey grins just to let you know i have done a water change so settle the levels back down so no worries there now..still interested in your comments..

[Sahara]

i tired to put up a picture but i cant figure it out so heres the link http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c308/Saharaa_/DSCF5209.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c308/Saharaa_/DSCF5184.jpg this is a close of up nudi

[Grins]

Here are your photos

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c308/Saharaa_/DSCF5209.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c308/Saharaa_/DSCF5184.jpg

[Grins]

OK the tank is An AquaOne 500, 50ltrs...i had the saltwater process runing for about a month beofrei added the live rock in about 2 wks ago. i have 2 filters, an undergravel filter which came with the tank and which has about a 1/2 cm cover of crushed coral plus a fluval filter to..the tests to date bearing in mind the upset of the tank the last few days with a poss octupus and having to take the rock out are Ph 7.8 which is low..Ammonia 0.50 which is just over... Saltwater nitrate No3 is in between 10 and 20 and the No2 is 1.0 so they are all out today...so far in the tank live rock which was added near 2 weeks ago and then this weekend anemone, a brain and some coral plus 2 black and white clown fish.- (i thought i should wait for the fish but was told it was ok)..who seem to be having a ball since yesterday and are loving the anemone..anyway your input is appreciated the aquriam i deal with have been reguarly helping with advice and checking my water levels to before anything else was added but yes please help, i ahve had tanks before but this is my first SW.. future plans poss another pair of clowns and some bottom dweeling fish.i obviously need a cleaning crew not sure what to get tho...any ideas sorry to sound like a newb hehe

You shouldn't have any ammonia or nitrates at all. Did your tank ever cycle? It sounds as if it didn't. I was afraid you were moving too fast before and after seeing your reply I'd say that is definitely the case. A tank needs a chance to properly cycle before you add livestock. When this is done you're allowed the ecosystem to be able to handle the waste the fish and inverts will produce. On the anemone, it is recommended that someone wait at least 6 months to get one. They are not beginner species and some recommend that a year is a better guideline for when your tank will be stable enough for one and the reefkeeper experienced enough to care for one. From the photo you posted I also want to point out that your anemone is very bleached. Most likely this is due to it being in improper lighting before you had it. In fact, what is your lighting in your tank?

You might want to give the crushed coral post at the top of the Newbie forum a read. Along with the cycling posts there as well. I'd not get another pair of clowns for your tank as they will most likely fight with the ones you have now. I don't see a nudibranch in your 2nd photo either. I see some algae and what looks like possibly hydroids.

[Sahara]

You shouldn't have any ammonia or nitrates at all. Did your tank ever cycle? It sounds as if it didn't. I was afraid you were moving too fast before and after seeing your reply I'd say that is definitely the case. A tank needs a chance to properly cycle before you add livestock. When this is done you're allowed the ecosystem to be able to handle the waste the fish and inverts will produce. On the anemone, it is recommended that someone wait at least 6 months to get one. They are not beginner species and some recommend that a year is a better guideline for when your tank will be stable enough for one and the reefkeeper experienced enough to care for one. From the photo you posted I also want to point out that your anemone is very bleached. Most likely this is due to it being in improper lighting before you had it. In fact, what is your lighting in your tank?

You might want to give the crushed coral post at the top of the Newbie forum a read. Along with the cycling posts there as well. I'd not get another pair of clowns for your tank as they will most likely fight with the ones you have now. I don't see a nudibranch in your 2nd photo either. I see some algae and what looks like possibly hydroids.


The lighting is two double tubes of flourescent lighting..the tests i did today are fine the ph is a little low but part form that no problems with the rest.. the anemone is actually a white one.. ..the nudibranch is directly in the middle he is a Cyerece, he is see through with some little orange marks on him ..looks like little leaves, maybe what you thought was algae.. he gets around that tank haha..the tank did cycle and i nvr had any issues with he parameters until yesterday..i will have a read throught the stuff you recommended

[mandy21]

Flourescent lighting is a bad choice for an anemone.... Metal Halide is the only thing I would ever put one under

[livingword26]

Flourescent lighting is a bad choice for an anemone.... Metal Halide is the only thing I would ever put one under

I am just a beginner, but I think that flourescent, T-5's in particular, are excellent for marine use, if you have the right colors and wattages.

[mandy21]

I am just a beginner, but I think that flourescent, T-5's in particular, are excellent for marine use, if you have the right colors and wattages.

for marine use. We're talking specific things. T-5 is fine for some things, but not something I would try for others. Anemones are one of those things.

[archer772]

Depending on how the T-5's are setup they can and do kepp high light corals, anemones and clams just fine but it does depend on how deep the tank is.

[Grins]

I am just a beginner, but I think that flourescent, T-5's in particular, are excellent for marine use, if you have the right colors and wattages.


T5s yes, but with indiviudal reflectors. The standard T8s or 12s though? Nuh uh.

[Grins]

The lighting is two double tubes of flourescent lighting..the tests i did today are fine the ph is a little low but part form that no problems with the rest.. the anemone is actually a white one.. ..the nudibranch is directly in the middle he is a Cyerece, he is see through with some little orange marks on him ..looks like little leaves, maybe what you thought was algae.. he gets around that tank haha..the tank did cycle and i nvr had any issues with he parameters until yesterday..i will have a read throught the stuff you recommended


What kind of anemone?

[Sahara]

sorry for late reply the anemone is a pink tipped murten ..i think thats right and the lighting im not sure what type of tube but i was told it would be fine for a marine tank..ill take one out and see if it has it on it and get back to you with that

[Grins]

Hmm not familiar with that one. I generally think of Condylactis sp. when hearing "pink tipped" for tropical anemones. That could be one in the photo you posted but it appears to be very bleached which is often a sign of inadequate lighting. Another problem is how fast you've moved on adding some of your species. For instance, many recommend waiting for 6-12 months for your tank to mature (and your reefkeeping skills as well) before attempting an anemone.

[mandy21]

sorry for late reply the anemone is a pink tipped murten ..i think thats right and the lighting im not sure what type of tube but i was told it would be fine for a marine tank..ill take one out and see if it has it on it and get back to you with that

I can't find anything on that, even doing a search. Even some oddball common names for things come up with something. Would you be able to find out from where you got it if that is the right name? or spelling?

[Pufferpunk]

Looks like you have some tunicates there (very delicate filter feeders). Those nudies eat sponge (nothing else) & I doubt you have any. I'd return it & the anemone before the nudi starves & the anemone dies. Do I see purple gorgonian/sea fan? Very difficult for even an expert to keep alive. I think I see Duncans & branching lobophillia (both fairly expensive), both which have to be fed meaty foods. I'd really return most of what is in there if I were you 9shame on the LFS for even selling you any of that), including the fish, until the tank is at least cycled for a couple of weeks. This means 0 ammonia/nitrite & nitrate <10. Get yourself some good test kits--you're going to need them!

Do your bulbs have individual reflectors? If not, basicaly the T5s aren't much better than regular flourescent. You are moving waaaaay to fast. Stop purchasing & start researching!

[mandy21]

branching lobophillia

Okay, I finally can confirm my supsicions for what I bought. I was sold the branching lobiphilia as a welsophilia (sp?) which I knew wasn't quite accurate but couldn't find the exact lobophilia or any indication of the color variety I purchased. If that is indeed what she has on the left side, then that is what I have. Amazing but slow eating critters. I am feeding every few days all sorts of sizes of foods (a variety depending on the day) to see what it likes best and it's not being very cooperative.

[Pufferpunk]

It's kind of a rare find. We have a guy around here that makes a wonderful mixture of foods, called "Rod's Food" & they love that but I also mix in frozen blackworms & mysis, soaked overnight in Selcon & they eat that too. You have to turn off all the pumps/filters, because they are such slow eaters & all the food would defintely blow away.

[mandy21]

Thanks, I have ordered some selcon, so I'm waiting on that to be delivered. The rarity is why I bought the piece, the LFS actually kept suggesting it with other pieces being as costly. It really is pretty and quite unique. I'll try the mix you suggested and see if it takes that better.

[Pufferpunk]

The Selcon is because both of those foods are from FW envirenments & they do not supply the proper nutrients for SW creatures. Just thought you might want to know!