Anemone ate clown?

[Rueda13]

So 2 days ago finally got live stock for my 30g tank. 2 percula clowns and an anemone, Not sure the type but it is thick green tenticles, the bottom side is red. Anyways, fast forward today in the morning I see one of the clowns (the missing one) finally closely swimming next to the anemone closely examining it. I thought to myself, soon it will be hosting. This afternoon my wife text me one of the clown missing. when I got home I looked everywhere, in the live rocks, filter, floor all around....nothing. I look at the anemone and it seems fatter. Closely examining its mouth I see some debris, almost like fish poop floating attached to it. I tried moving the anemone to see in its belly but it is well planted now so did not continue trying as I don't want to damage it. Could it be he ate my clown?

1st pic anemone (ID if possible)
2nd pic this morning clown swimming by it (our last time we saw him)

 

[davocean]

Looks like you have an LTA(M. doreensis) and placement is correct for it, sand dwellar, however it's not a natural match to percula, not that they can't accept it, but clowns do need to adapt to sting cells, could be an issue, or could be that clown was sick already, maybe.

 

[Rueda13]

Looks like you have an LTA(M. doreensis) and placement is correct for it, sand dwellar, however it's not a natural match to percula, not that they can't accept it, but clowns do need to adapt to sting cells, could be an issue, or could be that clown was sick already, maybe.

That is definitely the anemone I have. googled it and def it. I'm going to purchase another clown tomorrow and some frozen silversides for the anemone. Maybe if I keep it full it will leave the clowns alone till they build their immunity to the sting.

 

[davocean]

Well light is the anemone's main source of energy really, and fed or not does not really make any difference, they do not hunt or become more aggressive, they are opportunistic feeders, weak fish swims in, they'll eat it, or a clown may even push a weak fish into it in taking care of it's host and making use of that weak fish.

I am one of many nem keepers that does not advocate feeding silversides, many of us have lost healthy nems to them, possibly poor storage or processing, if you do feed use food grade fish or shrimp, scallops, mysis is a good choice, and go sparingly so you do not stress the nem, and I would not feed a new nem for at least a week or two after it has settled.
I hardly ever spot feed nems anymore, I have good lighting, and they may pick up some mysis at feeding time, really all they usually need if healthy.

 

[ca1ore]

Is it 'possible' the anemone ate a clown, sure it's possible. More likely it died (or jumped) and was rapidly reduced.

 

[Rueda13]

Well light is the anemone's main source of energy really, and fed or not does not really make any difference, they do not hunt or become more aggressive, they are opportunistic feeders, weak fish swims in, they'll eat it, or a clown may even push a weak fish into it in taking care of it's host and making use of that weak fish.

I am one of many nem keepers that does not advocate feeding silversides, many of us have lost healthy nems to them, possibly poor storage or processing, if you do feed use food grade fish or shrimp, scallops, mysis is a good choice, and go sparingly so you do not stress the nem, and I would not feed a new nem for at least a week or two after it has settled.
I hardly ever spot feed nems anymore, I have good lighting, and they may pick up some mysis at feeding time, really all they usually need if healthy.

So better of buying fresh shrimp from lets say publix?

 

[davocean]

So better of buying fresh shrimp from lets say publix?

Fresh raw shrimp, scallop, mysis being probably best and most similar to what they would normally be pulling in in the wild, small foods are easier to digest, cause less stress.
I personally prefer scallops, that way when I buy them for myself I just cut a small chunk for them, good for me, good for them, but even that I do not do very often.

 

[davocean]

Is it 'possible' the anemone ate a clown, sure it's possible. More likely it died (or jumped) and was rapidly reduced.

Agree and don't forget to look in overflow, happens all the time.
Usually you will see bones of some sort a day or so later if it did actually eat the clown.
When people force their clowns into a new nem they can actually be harmed as well.

 

[ericarenee]

If this is a newly setup tank and your not 100% the nem got the fish i would give it a few days before you add another just in case its behind a rock and dies causing ammonia spike in a newly setup tank..

my clowns love my HUGE Anthelia Coral thou the coral is a Challenge to keep at bay. I got the coral to help fill up space in such a large tank.

 

[Martin Kuhn]

I suggest to:
- not actively feed the anemone
- not add a new clown by now

But: wait some time what happens first and find out what was the cause

A M.Dorensis wouldn't have eaten a clown fish if he wouldn't have been in very poor state.
Either he was extremely stressed OR he was ill when you bought it.
Another thing might be that your tank is not yet fit for this animals.

Are you really Sure that everything is ok with your tank ?
- no Ammonia in your tank and tank is really well cycled?
- no other contaminations ?
- there was and is by sure enough oxygen in the water (e.g. Skimmer running 24/7?




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[GoVols]

If this is a newly setup tank and your not 100% the nem got the fish i would give it a few days before you add another just in case its behind a rock and dies causing ammonia spike in a newly setup tank..

my clowns love my HUGE Anthelia Coral thou the coral is a Challenge to keep at bay. I got the coral to help fill up space in such a large tank.

If this is a new setup it's not ready for any anemones. You start feeding it and you'll really have a tank crash. Take the anemone back get another clown a let the tank fully cycle.

I have a four year old Sherman BTA and one year old rainbow and never fed them anything but nightly dose of Red Sea "Reef Energy".

 

[ericarenee]

If this is a new setup it's not ready for any anemones. .

more truth .

 

[schnebbles]

You start feeding it and you'll really have a tank crash.

why?

I have a fairly new tank - I did get a small RTBA - I've fed it a very small piece of frozen krill 2x a week. it seems to be doing fine. Do I need to quit feeding it specifically?

 

[kevin21]

Its more so the fact that anemones are fragile specimens. They need an established tank in order to remain healthy for extended periods of time. As stated above, most do not even feed their nems. Great water quality and great lighting in sufficient enough. Your first live stock in the tank should have been your clean up crew. After a couple weeks of seeing that they did not all perish, your clowns were a good choice to add. Sadly, the anemone really should not have been added until at the very least 6 months of good stable conditions in your tank. Might even be suggested longer than that nowadays.

 

[GoVols]

its more so the fact that anemones are fragile specimens. They need an established tank in order to remain healthy for extended periods of time. As stated above, most do not even feed their nems. Great water quality and great lighting in sufficient enough. Your first live stock in the tank should have been your clean up crew. After a couple weeks of seeing that they did not all perish, your clowns were a good choice to add. Sadly, the anemone really should not have been added until at the very least 6 months of good stable conditions in your tank. Might even be suggested longer than that nowadays.

+1

 

[snorvich]

its more so the fact that anemones are fragile specimens. They need an established tank in order to remain healthy for extended periods of time. As stated above, most do not even feed their nems. Great water quality and great lighting in sufficient enough. Your first live stock in the tank should have been your clean up crew. After a couple weeks of seeing that they did not all perish, your clowns were a good choice to add. Sadly, the anemone really should not have been added until at the very least 6 months of good stable conditions in your tank. Might even be suggested longer than that nowadays.

+1

 

[ca1ore]

Perhaps the OP can chime in with the age of the tank. Different anemones have differing levels of sensitivity. I'd never put a mag or carpet into a just cycled tank, but have done so with BTA on occasions without any problems.