what do I do now? - Aquarium Advice

MATTYJUST · 05-01-2008, 04:15 PM

I found a sea pansy on the beach not knowing what it was. We were on vacation to the beach. I thought it was dead actually. I put it in a bottle of sea water so it wouldn't smell. I thought it would dry out like a sea urchin or something. Took out the bottle and it was very much alive! I bought premade sea water and set it up in an aquarium. I keep the water between 75-80 degrees. I have also introduced brine. I know it has a varied diet, but I don't know what to do. Took me 4 days to find out what it is. I have no clue what to do from here. This is my only saltwater animal. Again, I thought it was dead. Now I don't want it to die. Please advise me as to what would be the best way to care for it or what to do with it. I know from reading that this isn't what a beginner starts with.
Thanks!
mattyjust

**roka64** · 05-01-2008, 05:02 PM

Welcome to the site!
Is your tank cycled already?
What size tank?
Do you have any live rock or sand in the tank?

**Ziggy953** · 05-02-2008, 09:05 AM

What is a sea pansy?

tawolcott · 05-02-2008, 09:15 AM

Renilla reniformis "Sea Pansy"

Skyrmir · 05-02-2008, 10:58 AM

I'm assuming you didn't have a salt water tank set up since you said this is your only salt water animal.

While your best bet is to drop it in 5 to 6 feet of water at low tide. If your wanting to keep him, then it would probably be best to have someone with an established tank hold on to it until you have a tank ready. If there's no place to keep it until then, then you're going to need to cycle that tank fast.

Aquarium Products Water Chem Saltwater Biozyme 8gm

That stuff does work, I've used it myself. It's just not the suggested method unless you really have to.

pitt420dude · 05-02-2008, 11:14 AM

I had no idea such things existed: sea pansy, huh.

It definitely is not the most beautiful animal in the sea (IMO), and not worth starting and investing in an entirely new SW setup, so I sort of agree with Skyrmir's second sentence.

But to each his own, so go for it if you want to. Just be cognizant that thowing this thing in a completely uncycled tank could very likely kill it.

ryshark · 05-02-2008, 08:40 PM

I think what his problem with putting back in the ocean is that he may not live anywhere near it. Matty I think you should read up on doing frequent partial water changes and maybe buy some Amquel+ to reduce the ammonia and nitrite. You probably also need a heater and test kits. There are a few brands of jump start your cycle bacteria in a bottle that you can buy(biospira, superbac, fritz zyme etc. In my experience they dont work as well as they claim but it is better than nothing. Keep up on the partial water changes. This whole process can be an expensive start up cost. If you have no desire at all to keep a saltwater aquarium, that pansy needs to be put back. Or take this opportunity to get involed in the hobby, it can be lots of fun.

Kurt_Nelson · 05-02-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryshark

I think what his problem with putting back in the ocean is that he may not live anywhere near it.

That was my assumption also...

Quote:

Keep up on the partial water changes. This whole process can be an expensive start up cost. If you have no desire at all to keep a saltwater aquarium, that pansy needs to be put back....

OK... I'll go the politically incorrect route. Only by chance you saved it. You just put it in saltwater so it wouldn't stink up the place while you though it was decaying. If you hadn't, it would've quickly died on your way home. If you had no intention of starting a SW tank (and as you said, this isn't the best thing to start one with!) then you could also put it in the freezer and continue the process you started. (I've been told the freezer is a "nice" way to euthanize fish/coral.) Again... putting it back would be best, but if not possible, this is obviously another option.

This is a good time to point out that things found on the beach should stay on the beach. Even if they're dead (or they're thought to be dead), they're still part of the whole cycle of life.

MATTYJUST · 05-03-2008, 08:31 AM

Thank you for your suggestions. I am not on a mission to kill this animal or had any intentions of doing so. I should have left it, but again I thought it was already dead. I will contact our local saltwater aquarium store and see if they will take it.
Thanks,
mattyjust

MATTYJUST · 05-03-2008, 09:05 AM

The pictures shown are not the most flattering of this animal. The picture shows what it looks like when washed up on the beach. It covers itself with a slime coating to push the sand particles out. It is actually shaped like a purple heart and it sometimes is shaped like a clover. It has tentacles that are white that come up and retract. It is also to be said that it changes colors when disturbed at night. Has a bright blue wave that goes over it. Haven't seen it yet. It has a foot that produces a slime to catch it's food with. It is a bottom dweller and moves very slowly. At times it can look like the shape of a sea urchin.
Thanks,
Mattyjust

05-01-2008, 04:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
MATTYJUST Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4	what do I do now? I found a sea pansy on the beach not knowing what it was. We were on vacation to the beach. I thought it was dead actually. I put it in a bottle of sea water so it wouldn't smell. I thought it would dry out like a sea urchin or something. Took out the bottle and it was very much alive! I bought premade sea water and set it up in an aquarium. I keep the water between 75-80 degrees. I have also introduced brine. I know it has a varied diet, but I don't know what to do. Took me 4 days to find out what it is. I have no clue what to do from here. This is my only saltwater animal. Again, I thought it was dead. Now I don't want it to die. Please advise me as to what would be the best way to care for it or what to do with it. I know from reading that this isn't what a beginner starts with. Thanks! mattyjust

05-01-2008, 05:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,633 Images: 12	Welcome to the site! Is your tank cycled already? What size tank? Do you have any live rock or sand in the tank? __________________ Uh-oh, I just overloaded my Bioload! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

05-02-2008, 09:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ziggy953 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sumerduck, Virginia Posts: 3,091 Images: 5	What is a sea pansy? __________________ Happy Reefing! *120 Build in progress 6/18/08* Visit our Article section for answers on a variety of topics. LFS, PWC, PH RO/DI what in the world? Look here! Pods, algae and more!

05-02-2008, 11:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
pitt420dude Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pittsburgh! Home of the 5 Time Superbowl Champs! Posts: 949 Images: 11	I had no idea such things existed: sea pansy, huh. It definitely is not the most beautiful animal in the sea (IMO), and not worth starting and investing in an entirely new SW setup, so I sort of agree with Skyrmir's second sentence. But to each his own, so go for it if you want to. Just be cognizant that thowing this thing in a completely uncycled tank could very likely kill it. __________________ Thank you so much for all your help. I'm now going green. LOOK! A NEW LEAF!!!!!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-02-2008, 09:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
tawolcott Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tired of the mod power plays; gone to another forum Posts: 261	Renilla reniformis "Sea Pansy"

05-02-2008, 10:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
Skyrmir Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 509 Images: 9	I'm assuming you didn't have a salt water tank set up since you said this is your only salt water animal. While your best bet is to drop it in 5 to 6 feet of water at low tide. If your wanting to keep him, then it would probably be best to have someone with an established tank hold on to it until you have a tank ready. If there's no place to keep it until then, then you're going to need to cycle that tank fast. Aquarium Products Water Chem Saltwater Biozyme 8gm That stuff does work, I've used it myself. It's just not the suggested method unless you really have to.

05-02-2008, 08:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
ryshark Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 361	I think what his problem with putting back in the ocean is that he may not live anywhere near it. Matty I think you should read up on doing frequent partial water changes and maybe buy some Amquel+ to reduce the ammonia and nitrite. You probably also need a heater and test kits. There are a few brands of jump start your cycle bacteria in a bottle that you can buy(biospira, superbac, fritz zyme etc. In my experience they dont work as well as they claim but it is better than nothing. Keep up on the partial water changes. This whole process can be an expensive start up cost. If you have no desire at all to keep a saltwater aquarium, that pansy needs to be put back. Or take this opportunity to get involed in the hobby, it can be lots of fun.

05-03-2008, 08:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
MATTYJUST Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4	Thank you for your suggestions. I am not on a mission to kill this animal or had any intentions of doing so. I should have left it, but again I thought it was already dead. I will contact our local saltwater aquarium store and see if they will take it. Thanks, mattyjust

05-03-2008, 09:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
MATTYJUST Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4	The pictures shown are not the most flattering of this animal. The picture shows what it looks like when washed up on the beach. It covers itself with a slime coating to push the sand particles out. It is actually shaped like a purple heart and it sometimes is shaped like a clover. It has tentacles that are white that come up and retract. It is also to be said that it changes colors when disturbed at night. Has a bright blue wave that goes over it. Haven't seen it yet. It has a foot that produces a slime to catch it's food with. It is a bottom dweller and moves very slowly. At times it can look like the shape of a sea urchin. Thanks, Mattyjust