[dreamerfaerie]

This is my first post so Im sorry if there is not enough info.

We got 2 clownfish 1 anemone and 1 sweet lip fish on Sunday. The pair of Clownfish hadnt really bonded with the anemone yet but every one was doing fine. Yesterday we came home to find the sweet lip fish dead behind the rocks covered in the goo that the anemone lets out when its scared.

We highly believe that the anemone attached the sweet lip fish when he came to close to it (which he probally did because he swam all over the tank very happy)

Anyone have any insite if this can happen.

Thanks

[DoLceNBeLLa]

It's possible since it isnt like a clownfish. I feel like the anemone would eat it though if it did attack it, although I guess the sweet lip could have swam away before it died.

It's also possible it didn't get acclimated long enough and was stressed out, but that doesn't seem like this is the problem since you said he was swimming all over the tank looking happy.

[dreamerfaerie]

Yeah, I read online that sometimes the drugs they use to catch the sweetlips make them really excited @ first but then they suddently die. So there is a chance that happened. But he was covered with the anemone gunk. Covered!

He was a very fast swimmer and could paddle away really well so im sure if he did get stung he would of been able to get away before he was eatin.

Its just sad. We just named him the day before :-(

[c-c]

Laura,
Sad story...very sad
Was it a Harlequin sweet lips? Or a Two striped Sweetlips?

Wondering what kind of anemone do you have? Is is one of these mentioned in this site?

Sea Anemone Species: Sea Anemones, Bulb and Carpet Anemones

I understand that the Harlequin are difficult to acclimate and feed. We were going to get one until we learned that they grow to 27 inches, too big for us.

You may want to plan and observe for an extended time any new fish you introduce... Are the clowns bullies, or peaceful? What type are they? Have they bonded with the anemone?
Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your sweet lips.

[Tonz of fun]

Anemones release that goo during shipping as a sign as stress. Where did you get it. Did you rinse or acclimate it? How long in the tank?

[dreamerfaerie]

It had been in the tank a little less then a week. Yes we acclimated it according to the stores instructions. He was in the water in the bag about 15 mins. Then we cut a slit and let our water come in for about another 10 mins. Then we put him in prior to putting the clown fish in so he would be out and ready. We moved him once but he only liked the original spot he was in and flurished in that spot. He would move around a little to get the best position. We bought him from a local store which we think, atleast for coral, are very good at what they do and seem to know alot about what they sell.

But you never know. They took him back tho, which was great!

[jipo123]

you should try drip acclimating next time, its very easy and seems to work the best. the only times i have seen them "squirt goo" is when they are extreamly stressed, hurt, or dont have very good tank lighting.
i have had anemones eat my fish, so it does happen but not often. do you know what type of anemone it is?

If i dont feed my long tentacle anemone every week my one of my fish will "suddenly disappear."
its real hard to know if a LFS is any good untill you have become fairly experienced with the hobby. I know that there are some stores i have trusted that have given some false information/knowledge

sorry bout your sweet lip. =(