Anemone

hummusx · 01-05-2005, 10:06 AM

I'm hoping to get an anemone that my ocilleras clown will decide to host in. I found a very in depth article on anemones at ReefCentral which listed which species were most likely to be hosted by each type of clown. All three species listed for ocilleras were also listed as 'most difficult' to care for. Anyone have any experience with this particular clown and anemones?

tico mike · 01-05-2005, 10:38 AM

I've got the anemone/clownfish book at home. I haven't looked at it in a long time though. I check it tonight and let you know what it says.

redlion4 · 01-05-2005, 10:39 AM

The natural anemone hosts for ocellaris clowns can be more difficult to keep than other anemonies. They are not usually recommended as the "first" anemone to be tried in home aquariums. Be especially picky if deciding to go this route...success is highly linked to the health of the specimen. Avoid all anemonies that show signs of bleaching, have been 'color dyed', or show any signs of damage - especially at the base (pedestal?).

Some people have had success with Ocellaris clowns and BTA's - both the green and red/pink varieties. It is hit and miss. We have a GBTA that are female clown hosted in after 2-3 months. The male has yet to take to it and we are approaching the one year mark...

Our anemone has struggled lately. Not sure if the clown is picking on it (nipping at the tentacles), or if it is some other problem. It continues to eat, and responds each day to the light, but its tentacles are receeded and it does not open up near as much as it used to. Trying to keep up with water changes, feeding, stable temperature, fresh carbon, and cross our fingers for the best. We keep a close watch on the clowns, our hippo tang, and for any other creatures that might be picking on it, but have not found any real offenders yet. It could simply be the standard "chemical warfare" with the softies in the tank. Here is a picture from a few months back, when it was thriving.

Ryan.

Sea monkey · 01-05-2005, 11:00 AM

Quote:

It could simply be the standard "chemical warfare" with the softies in the tank

i have a RBTA that hasnt opened up for days . there is no damage i can see and the foot looks healthy . the only softie i have is a small patch of xenia, could this be it ?

redlion4 · 01-05-2005, 12:59 PM

Sea Monkey - unlikely with xenia. Usually happens with leather type corals (sarcophytons, I think). We have a good size toadstool leather, and a smaller frag from it that could be competing against our BTA. Some folks have mentioned problems with a few zoanthids too, but much less often than leathers. Never heard of xenia doing the same, but I don't know for sure.

Biggest key to the health of our anemone has been water changes. Feeding and running carbon are probably tied for second place.

How long has the RBTA been in your tank?

tico mike · 01-05-2005, 01:10 PM

Iodine supplements are huge with anenomes. When I kept BTA's, I noticed alot more cloning and nicer health when I was on top of supplementing consistently.

Sea monkey · 01-05-2005, 01:13 PM

hes been in there a couple months

redlion4 · 01-05-2005, 05:48 PM

As long as the "guts" aren't hanging out, wait it out and see how it does. Check nitrites and ammonia to ensure readings of 0. Do a water change if the tank is overdue. Has the tank had any recent temperature spikes (cold or hot)?

Try to feed it a small piece of food if it opens up. Get it into a quarantine tank if it looks to be dissolving or the "wavy noodle innards" are hanging out of the mouth for more than a day or two.

Sea monkey · 01-06-2005, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlion4

As long as the "guts" aren't hanging out, wait it out and see how it does. Check nitrites and ammonia to ensure readings of 0. Do a water change if the tank is overdue. Has the tank had any recent temperature spikes (cold or hot)?

Try to feed it a small piece of food if it opens up. Get it into a quarantine tank if it looks to be dissolving or the "wavy noodle innards" are hanging out of the mouth for more than a day or two.

i do like a 10-15% change every other week. started a two days after i did the last one .

other than being half shrunk up it looks fine no "wavy noodle innards" or dissolving ...

djyox · 01-06-2005, 12:53 AM

what was the link to the thread on RC? I would love to take a peek at it.

tico mike · 01-06-2005, 12:54 AM

Book lists Heteractis Magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea, Stichodactyla mertensii, the three difficult ones you already spoke of. Book lists 13 different clowns that will host a BTA.