Anemone (1 Viewer)

[Fisherman7]

So the thought of putting an anemone into my tank sounds awesome, however everything I read is that they will move around and sting the other corals, which I don't want. I'm hesitant to put one in my tank for fear of them killing my zoas, hammer, torch, acans, digis and monti. My tank is fairly new and I by no means have a lot of corals in there, but I wanted to see what the rest of you guys who have anemones do or have noticed. Is there a certain type of anemone that moves around less? Are they not as deadly as LA.com says? Any advice on whether or not to mess with it as well as what type would be great.

 

[David Grigor]

Yes, there is always going to be some level of risk.

There has only been 1 time where I have experienced that. RBTA moved into the middle of a hynodphora corals. It was a stalemate they killed each other. Generally though, it's not automatic that its going to be an issue as long as it doesn't permanently stay there unlikely that its a concern. You have more of a chance IMO that anemone will either move into or detach itself and float into a propeller style pump. So be sure to keep foam inserts ( nothing else will protect as they can still get sucked into less then 1/16" slits ) if you run that style pump.

Now ideally, yes you should have a tank that is designed for and primary purpose is anemone and keep only things with it that are low risk. Mushrooms, zoanthids, leather corals etc. Acan, chalices probably not the best idea. Most corals that I've had fall onto an acan or chalice has lost.

 

[Badgervet]

What size is your tank? I know my tank is a little crowded (just moved 4 months ago and still getting my second tank going) but I've got two small rbta anemones in my tank with some frogspawn, acans, lots of zoas, duncans, some mushrooms, and two clowns in a 14 gallon. My anemones settled into position (light/flow of their choosing) and don't move at all. I just rockscaped around them a little. I space the other stuff away from them enough that when the anemones are fully expanded they are not touching anything but otherwise they have been doing great with no bystander damage. If you get an anemone, it'll find a spot that it likes in the tank and then you may have to shift a few things around. I like rbtas though I've had some bubble and some that don't.

 

[manycolors]

I have a RBTA, and have kept over 5 different BTA's in my lifetime of this hobby. I am an SPS guy but wouldn't have a tank without an anemone in it. My experience has been that after it's introduced into your tank, give it a week to settle in somewhere, and unless your light changes or it splits, it'll stay there.

Also from my experience (and maybe I am just lucky) My anemone doesn't want to be stinging another coral any more than another coral wants to be stung, so it has stayed away from other corals for me.

Oh, and to elaborate on David's post, It was great he mentioned the powerhead issue. I have learned that, from experiencing it (MP 40). I had one walk up the glass right into the powerhead... Not good. I think you'd be okay with a fine grate like Koralia's, but more open grates like Vortech's, you'll need to have a foam on there

Good luck with whatever you decide and there is a great website with a lot of information if you google "Keeping anemones"

 

[bzishka]

All anemones are different, Most move until they find there favorite spot and then stay their. I have one on a magnetic rock separated from the rest of my rocks in my tank so nothing can get to it except the clowns that live in it, but also making it harder for the anemone to "walk" around. however they can stilll float and let go, how big was the tank you plan on putting the anemone in?

Badgervet: you have all that in a 14 gallon tank?

 

[Fisherman7]

Thanks for sharing the great experiences. I have a 180g that I might want to put one in. I have a pair of Ocellaris clowns in there right now, so I would want to get a nem that would work for them or I've thought it might be nice to get a black clown and a nem for it. You guys have answered a few of the questions I had like how much of a pain in the butt they are with the moving and powerheads and such. Any recommendations on type of clown with a BTA or other nems that are easy to keep?

 

[anokamn]

I am fascinated by nems.
My 72 Gallon tank has 3 BTA's in it and only one likes to wander. If he is heading a direction I don't like, I simply move my powerhead, direct it toward him and he pulls back and moves again. Currently they are all in separate areas and happy. My pair of Ocellaris Clowns are hosting in one and spawning next to it every 2 weeks.
In my 29 Biocube, I have an RBTA with a maroon clown hosting it. I had a condy nem, but he was very territorial. He owned his rock and any time I tried to add anything on his rock, he would walk right over and sting it until I moved it. Ah but Karma sucks, the condy took a "spin" in an unprotected power head and is king of his rock no longer.

 

[bzishka]

btas are my most preferred but sebbaes can be cool and have cool colors, condys do no good for any clownish or any fish for that matter, they dont host clowns and they eat fish!