Urgent: Potential Toxins Released in Aquarium After Anemone Death

[jorgeeandreess]

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out to seek advice and share my recent experience, hoping to get some insights into what might be going wrong in my reef tank.

A few days ago, I noticed that my anemone, which had been healthy, started to close up. I didn't think much of it initially, but the next day it disintegrated completely when I tried to move it. I immediately removed the remains, did a significant water change, added fresh activated carbon, and kept my protein skimmer running.

However, two days later, I began to notice severe distress among my corals:
- My Stylophora started to bleach.
- The Pulsing Xenia has completely closed up.
- My Torch coral is retracting and looking very unhealthy.

I'm very concerned that toxins from the decomposing anemone have affected the tank, and I'm not sure what additional steps to take to mitigate this. Has anyone experienced something similar? Any recommendations on further actions to stabilize the tank and help my corals recover would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

 

[jorgeeandreess]

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out to seek advice and share my recent experience, hoping to get some insights into what might be going wrong in my reef tank.

A few days ago, I noticed that my anemone, which had been healthy, started to close up. I didn't think much of it initially, but the next day it disintegrated completely when I tried to move it. I immediately removed the remains, did a significant water change, added fresh activated carbon, and kept my protein skimmer running.

However, two days later, I began to notice severe distress among my corals:
- My Stylophora started to bleach.
- The Pulsing Xenia has completely closed up.
- My Torch coral is retracting and looking very unhealthy.

I'm very concerned that toxins from the decomposing anemone have affected the tank, and I'm not sure what additional steps to take to mitigate this. Has anyone experienced something similar? Any recommendations on further actions to stabilize the tank and help my corals recover would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Todays parameters:

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I don’t believe that anemone death will release toxins. Likely something else is going on and the anemone is the first to go, others are following it sounds like.

How old is the tank? How long you had these corals and anemones ? Pictures will help.

 

[Lavey29]

Yea they can be toxic when they die. More water changes, fresh carbon every 3 days. Find out what caused the nem to die quickly.

 

[OrionN]

Anemone do not release toxin when they died. Certain anemone, Magnifica, Gigantea and Haddoni, all potent stingers will release nematocysts and kill all the fish if they get puree by a PH. These event do not affect inverts.
It is something going on in your tank that affect all the animals. anemone first.

 

[Lavey29]

Anemone do not release toxin when they died. Certain anemone, Magnifica, Gigantea and Haddoni, all potent stingers will release nematocysts and kill all the fish if they get puree by a PH. These event do not affect inverts.
It is something going on in your tank that affect all the animals. anemone first.

Sorry but you are misinformed. Internet:

Yes, decaying anemones can release toxins into a tank and kill fish, even in large, mature reef tanks. If fish are breathing heavily, you can try these steps: Test for ammonia, Increase surface agitation or add aeration, and Be ready to perform a large partial water change

A rotted anemone can turn to liquid, polluting the tank and stripping the water of oxygen

What to do with a Dead Anemone | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Dead anemones are not only a shame, a loss of life, and a financial loss, if not diagnosed and dealt with quickly they can make a real mess of your tank. Here’s what to do if you find a dead or dying…

reefbuilders.com

 

[exnisstech]

Sorry but you are misinformed. Internet:

Yes, decaying anemones can release toxins into a tank and kill fish, even in large, mature reef tanks. If fish are breathing heavily, you can try these steps: Test for ammonia, Increase surface agitation or add aeration, and Be ready to perform a large partial water change

A rotted anemone can turn to liquid, polluting the tank and stripping the water of oxygen

What to do with a Dead Anemone | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Dead anemones are not only a shame, a loss of life, and a financial loss, if not diagnosed and dealt with quickly they can make a real mess of your tank. Here’s what to do if you find a dead or dying…

reefbuilders.com

Not everything on the internet is fact even though it is represented as such. I've destroyed bubble tips and the remains blew all over the tank. Fish tasted them and spit them out with no ill effects to the tank. There really isn't much flesh in a bubble tip if you've seen them fully deflated.
That and @OrionN is pretty knowledge on anemones

EDIT : I'm assuming the OP is referring to a bubble tip since they are the most common.

 

[Lavey29]

Not everything on the internet is fact even though it is represented as such. I've destroyed bubble tips and the remains blew all over the tank. Fish tasted them and spit them out with no ill effects to the tank. There really isn't much flesh in a bubble tip if you've seen them fully deflated.
That and @OrionN is pretty knowledge on anemones

EDIT : I'm assuming the OP is referring to a bubble tip since they are the most common.

Agreed, but Reef Builders is a good source

 

[OrionN]

Only regarding host anemones, they don't have toxin internally but do have nematocysts. A chewed up anemone may/will release these nematocysts and kill the non clownfish in the tank. This is well documented in Magnifica, Haddoni and Gigantea. Others host anemone not so much, not documented as far as I know. I had anemone disintegrated in the tank in the past with no problem. Not so much in the last 10 years since I started to treat sick anemones with the antibiotic protocol I came up with back around 2013. These days all of my anemone that died, died in hospital tanks.
I have not read the article on Reef Builder, but it is contra to my personal experiences in keeping all types of host anemones in the last 30+ years.
The OP can take my advice or not, up to him/her

 

[promotheus2070]

I can tell the following .
I removed a mag since it was dead and white slile everywhere . Maybe even the baddest smell i have ever smelled . Since then ive lost 3 fish . Im skimming heavy and using carbon ...