Cedar Lane Library

[Cedarlane]

The Bubble Tip Anemone has changed color, size and location since August. We have really noticed a change in the last month. It used to be big enough for the clown fish to hide in, taupe in color and to the far left of the tank. It is now white, very small and more towards the middle of the tank. What could have caused this?

[L8 2 RISE]

If the bulbs or anything else haven't changed, probably bad water quality.

[Brian Ward]

If it's turned white, it has most likely bleached (depending on species) - meaning it has expelled the symbiotic photosynthetic xooanthelae. You will need to improve the water quality and begin feeding it silversides to get it to color back up. Moving around the tank is something that's pretty normal for an anemone to do - most likely this one was looking for a spot with better flow, water quality, and/or light.

[davelin315]

I think we're all being a bit hasty with the conclusion that the water quality is bad here. It could be any number of factors as they can bleach in response to many different things, including too much light. Do a water test (they're generally safe for older kids to do as long as they wash their hands afterwards) and see where your nitrates are. That can have an impact, but in my experience bubble tips are very hardy and don't bleach that easily. It could also have to do with splitting and being pestered by a clown. The bubble tips can reproduce through "pedal laceration" which basically means they cut their foot and then tear themselves in half. Once they have done this they begin the recovery process and typically will move. If they aren't healthy after the split or get bothered by a clown, they can expel their zooxanthellae and bleach. I have a few in my system that are white after having split and been loved to death by my clowns. They still live on, I don't feed them, and I doubt they'll ever recover, but they exist right next to nests of big green ones!

[dbartco]

I don't think it has been too hasty! Water quality has slipped a bit. My fault actually. Given that the auto feeder fell into the tank over Thanksgiving, no water changes ave been made in a few months, o a skimmerless system, I'm not too surprised. I had some red cyno creeping in as well.

 

Next semester I need to work with them on making up their own water for changes. Now that the carbon has been replaced and a good water change, things look pretty good. Actually, the anemone does not look too bad. The tips are a little white, but the base is still cream colored. Tips are still bulbous and full. I think after a few feedings, it will back to it's old self. Keep in mind this is a 60 gallon tank as well. We can't have that nem getting too big.

 

We did loose a gsp colony for some reason. It had a pesky aiptasia in the middle of it, and the polyps would stay retracted. It may have also been in a lower flow area

[BowieReefer84]

I had offered a cpr back pak 2 skimmer for school donation a while back. Has a new pump on it... lmk?

[dbartco]

Mike - thanks, sent you a pm.

[Coral Hind]

Doug, I have some GSP to replace the ones that died. I also have yellow polyps and some others for the tank. Shot me a PM so I can get them to you after the school break.

[dbartco]

That would be cool David. Thanks you. Actually you can see the gsp (with the aiptasia) in the lower left corner on the pic above. I also plan on adding another mjmod in there for flow.

 

I built one of those Pualb zappers, but only used a 12v supply. Need to bump that up and really give it to them. MORE POWER, UGH UGH UGH!!! I have a 24 and a 48. Though the 48 might send the fishes into seizure.

 

And I am getting a skimmer from some nice member. THX Mike.

[BowieReefer84]

Are there any peppermint shrimp in the tank?

[dbartco]

Not currently. I put in for a grant and if I get the money I will probably purchase a few. I think the zapper can knock them down enough that the shrimp will be able to keep them in check.

[Cedarlane]

We have some questions from 1st graders:

1. Do jellyfish sting corals and sponges?

2. Do you plant sponges?

3. How do corals know when to sting?

[Cedarlane]

The children are really enjoying the fish tank!

We have 2 more questions:

1. Why does the yellow tang look like it is kissing the glass?

2. Do any fish eat sponges?

[TonyD]

The children are really enjoying the fish tank!

We have 2 more questions:

1. Why does the yellow tang look like it is kissing the glass?

2. Do any fish eat sponges?

 

1. My yellow tang does that too. It is nibbling on the glass for algae to eat.

2. A few. The one I know about is the queen angelfish.

[Origami]

We have some questions from 1st graders:

1. Do jellyfish sting corals and sponges?

2. Do you plant sponges?

3. How do corals know when to sting?

 

1. Yes, they can.

 

2. Some people who keep salt water aquariums intentionally keep sponges, some of which can be brightly colored. Other sponges can grow wild in our tanks.

 

3. Coral "stingers" are known as nematocysts. They can sting when they touched or if certain chemicals are sensed in the water around them. Stinging can be used both for defense as well as for capturing and bringing in food (offense).

[Cedarlane]

Thank you so much for responding! We will pass along your answers!

 

Andria read a book on sponges to the 1st graders and they had a couple of questions.

 

1. Do sponges have eyes?

2. How long does it take sponges to regrow missing parts?

 

We also had a curious student ask if they can regrow themselves if they are eaten whole.

[Origami]

Thank you so much for responding! We will pass along your answers!

 

Andria read a book on sponges to the 1st graders and they had a couple of questions.

 

1. Do sponges have eyes?

2. How long does it take sponges to regrow missing parts?

 

We also had a curious student ask if they can regrow themselves if they are eaten whole.

 

1. No. Well, let me rephrase that. The only sponge I know that has eyes is Sponge Bob. But he's a cartoon!

 

2. Sponges growth rate depends upon the nutrients available to it. Without nutrition, like us, growth is stunted.

 

3. If they are *completely* eaten (whole or not), they do not regenerate, because there's nothing left. However, sponges are kind of special in that a fragment of a sponge can regrow an entire organism if that fragment has the right kind of cells in it.

[Cedarlane]

We are reading "Is This a House for Hermit Crab?" by Megan McDonald and

"Shrimp" by Deborah Nuzzolo to our first grade classes this week.

After reading the books, the students are very excited when they see

some hermit crabs and the shrimp. The shrimp still likes to hide upside

down behind the coral in the back of the tank but you can see his anntennas

and his pincers.

Our students have really enjoyed the fish tank! Thank you so much

for all of your work and for letting the library house it this school year!

[Cedarlane]

The fish tank has been very engaging and soothing for our autistic students. We've been able to meet some of our educational goals throught visiting the tank.

[Cedarlane]

The first graders are enjoying books on Clown Fish, Sponges and Sea Anemones. It is wonderful to have the fish tank so they can actually see what is being talked about in the books. The students really look forward to their time with the fish!

[Coral Hind]

I'm glad the tank is a good tool to help them learn. Do you have any pictures of the tank?

[Cedarlane]

Question from a first grader:

 

How do the fish know to stay away from the sea anemones?

[Origami]

That's a very good question. I suspect that the answer is, "instinct." Those that don't get stung or are eaten (with several exceptions).

[Cedarlane]

Thank you for the quick response! We will pass along the information and I'm sure there will be more questions. The children, and the teachers, love the tank and it has a very calming effect!

[dbartco]

Had to document "Family Reading Night" at Cedar Lane on Feb 19th. There were a number of room stations that families could attend for 25min reading sessions. A number of children's books fish and coral reef themed were read to students, leaving an alottment of time for Q&A. I had my hand at reading, but the better half (the C.L. Reading Specialist) did a much better job at keeping the kids attention. I was there for the QA. Kids are loving the reef tank there. Thanks to all that have donated corals and equipment over the last few years.