Anenome?

Question
i recently purchased a small, already set- up saltwater aquarium, with live rock ( with many anemones) two small (separate) anemones, and 1 fish(a tomato clown) . both anemones are very small, and very common. after purchasing, i tested the salinity, and to my dismay, the salt levels were alarming low. i fixed that quickly, and my fish immediately brightened up and swimming around contently. however, ALL of the anemones 'retreated' in to their ?skin? and have not come out. it has been over 24 hours, and i am wondering- are they dead? do i need to remove them? thank you profusely for your help!

Answer
Hi Kayla,

Nice to meet you.

Anemones are extremely sensitive in regards to sudden changes in salinity. When bringing the salinity up to a normal level, you would want to do this in very small increments, over several days, so that it gives the Anemones time to acclimate to the rising salinity level.

Fish on the other hand, through osmosis, can quickly adjust to a rising salinity level.

Keep monitoring your Anemones, and if they haven't opened back up within a weeks time, I would carefully inspect them; if they did die, you would definitely want to immediately remove them, so that they don't spike the nitrate level, and cause an ammonia level in your aquarium. Also if they did die, you will be able to distinguish this, by the odor given from them.

I wish you the best of luck.

Happy Holidays.