Anemone Advice

[ravennareef]

Going out this afternoon to perhaps purchase an anemone,my saddleback clown just won't stay out of the hairy mushroom
So I am looking for advice,pretty much on what not to buy.
P.S. 130 gallon tank

[Jeremy1973]

Well, there is a chance, that even if you buy an anonome, your clown will stay in the mushroom. Sounds like he has hosted there. I have 3 anenomes and my clowns have chosen to host in the toadstool coral. So, just to give a heads up... you may be buying an anenome for the sake of buying an anenome.

If you still want one, I think you should go with a bubble tip anenome.

[MyReef]

The natural hosts for Saddle backs....A. Polymnus are ...
Sebae anemone's
Carpet Anemone's (S. Hadonni)
Long Tentacle Anemone

As was stated, sounds like yours are in the mushroom.

I have a mated pair of saddle backs that are in my S. Haddoni anemone and it is a sight to be seen. I love the anemone and fish....perfect relationship.

From what I have read, the S. Haddoni should not be kept without clownfish hosting in it.....FWIW.

Good luck

[Nubytuesday]

I read that anenome does not live long in a tank
I love to look at them is this true for all anenome?

[Mrs Smith]

Anemones are tricky business... I honestly wouldn't buy one - if the clown is happy in the mushroom, leave it be. Is it causing problems there?

BTW, Sebaes and carpets are quite difficult... I don't know anything about LTAs. We thought we could keep one (nice big, established tank), and we thought we had the enough lighting (we have MH), and we thought the clown would love it. We were wrong, and it was dead in a month. Long story short, don't overestimate your luck with these creatures, as I am almost convinced that is what it takes.

Just my sad 2c,
Danielle

[Jeremy1973]

You will need to feed your anenome. I have had all three of mine for over a year now, and they are growing quite well. The bubble tip is beautiful under actnics when it actually bubbles its tips!

But I do feed mine to be on the safe side. I don't want any animal to starve under my care.

[MyReef]

LIghting is key ....letting them go where they want to go is also key. I got lucky with my carpet....I placed him where I wanted and he took to it.

Water motion is also key....should be alternating..don't blast them. Here is a couple of pics of my carpet.....

The first pic is about 6 months old...the last one is last week. I have had the carpet and clowns for about a year!


http://www.myreefcreations.com/perso...addleback2.jpg

http://www.myreefcreations.com/perso...bluecarpet.jpg

[Jimbo]

Also if you purchase an anemone make sure it has good coloration. Some LFS and suppliers will die them another color, watch out for unusual colors. You might want the LFS to hold it for a couple of weeks to make sure it is not going to go south on you.

Sabea's supposed to be the easiest. Have had hitchhikers that live many years. They where mean and ate a couple of my fish. Wanted to get them out but the where attached to a rock under a ledge LOL. You can tell how dangerious they are by looking at the tenticles. the ones that will have more potent stings will have little spirals of a white masses that look like little springs.

[ravennareef]

Thanks all ! for the info, I am off for the LFS, will let you know what I come up with

[ravennareef]

Well came back empty handed, well almost, bought some food.
They had a couple of nice saddle anemones,too pricey for my wallet $70, the guy I like to work with is moving his store, so his live stock is down to nothing, better luck next week

[MyReef]

I am assuming when you say "saddle anemone" you mean Carpet (S Haddoni). They go for about $99 here for a nice blue color like mine....I think I paid $70 for mine "on sale". Depends how large they are though....better to get a good looking specimen....than to just buy for the sake of buying. Good luck next week.

[wasabi]

ive had a bubble tip for about a year, it has split twice. one offspring is still alive and well in my tank one didnt make it. i had a long tenacle for 8 months it liked to wander and wandered into a powerhead. i would try to make your tank anenome safe before buying especially if its a small tank under 100 gallons. they have a tendency to find intakes and powerheads. hths.

[ravennareef]

Hi Andy, the anemones they had were white and yellow and were 6''or 8'' ....looked like they were in good condition,just ate.
Its not that I really want an anemone,I just thought my clowns would enjoy it , and stay out of the corals.

[JennM]

All that said if the fish is happy in the shroom, I'd let that be.

I've had my LTA for just over 2 years now, and it came from another hobbyist's tank.

I've been caring for a customer's BTA for just over 2 years now, and it just split for the first time The customer doesn't feed it ( no flames please, I've asked the customer to feed it) but it is either being fed by the fish or it is doing fine under power compacts.

I've had saddlebacks choose LTA and BTA which are the only ones I stock. I'll special order another anemone for a "qualified" customer but so far nobody has asked.

Jenn

[cyberchef]

I have a LTA and it's been in my tank for over a year now under PC lighting. It's doing great, almost twice the size of when I got it. It gets fed when I feed the tank, it curls all up when it gets a hold of some food so the shrimp won't steal it... lol