A different sort of anemone in my anemone tank

[Durbelethwen]

I have been thinking about setting up a 30 gallon anemone tank. So far my ideas including having one condy anemone, various numbers of mini carpet anemones and rock flower anemones, a pair of peppermint shrimp and/or cleaner shrimp, a pair of anemone porcelain crabs, an algae eating blenny, and a pair of marginated damselfish.
I was thinking that possibly in addition to the anemones already mentioned that a hermit crabs with anemones would be an interesting addition to an anemone tank though I am also wondering if it would eat the small invertebrates. I chose the invertebrates because I know that they host anemones and would add character to the tank.

 

[bradleym]

I think the hitchhiker anemones are reef safe. And the odds that they'll get a hold on any other inverts while riding around on a hermit's shell are pretty small.

 

[ousnakebyte]

For a really different anemone - you could try a Hell's Fire anemone. They have an extremely potent sting, so your fish might be at risk; just don't touch it without latex gloves on...

I'm always a fan of the anemone shrimp too - anything in the genus Periclimines, perhaps P. brevicarpalis. These shrimps are known to host in these 'nems.

Cheers
Mike

 

[elegance coral]

It sounds like a cool plan. I have a few concerns though. Condy's, when healthy, can get quite large, so there goes half your tank right there. The hermit crabs that keep anemones on their shells are large and destructive. I wouldn't trust them with algae blennies. The Condy may get the algae Bleny as well. I'm not saying your plan is impossible. I'm just pointing out some potential problem areas.

 

[BairdimusPrime]

Yes elegance is totally right my condy is HUGE i have a 65 gallon aquarium and he takes up a good chunk of it when he's full... but your tank sounds like a cool idea post pics when you do it!

 

[Durbelethwen]

How about a lawnmower blenny? I was already thinking about one, but I was afraid that a 30 gallon tank would be too small for a five inch fish. On the surface I should be already with the hermit crab considering according to live aquaria the blenny is about an inch longer then the hermit crab. Also if I get a hermit crab I would probably be rather short on options for snails to clean up the algae certain the grow in the tank.

 

[fote03]

I dont think i would add a perching fish (blenny) to a nem tank. He might end up as dinner for one of your minis or flowers.

 

[usatennisfan]

For a really different anemone - you could try a Hell's Fire anemone. They have an extremely potent sting, so your fish might be at risk; just don't touch it without latex gloves on...

I'm always a fan of the anemone shrimp too - anything in the genus Periclimines, perhaps P. brevicarpalis. These shrimps are known to host in these 'nems.

Cheers
Mike

Do you have any experience keeping Hellsfire? My brother was looking into getting one and I was just curious as to their care and how it may differ from any other nem. I also read somewhere that cardinals tend to host them no problem. True?