So I have my 33 gallon cube. With just lps and zoas in it under 12 3 watt leds. I plan on having a pair of clowns. Haven't decided what pair yet though. So I was just wondering what would be the best anemone for me to start with? So basically the easiest one to take care of. Also will it be fine in my 33 gallon cube? it won't like overgrow and kill my other coral?
Anemone for a starter.
- Thread starter Curtis72
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TDesaulniers
New member
Without question the E. Quadricolo (Bubble Tip) is the best starter anemone. Now, I am not implying they are easy to care for but in comparison to the other clown symbiotic anemones, BTA's are the ones to start off with. They can be very hardy sometimes with based off my experience. For example, I had a beautiful Rose anemone with a diameter of about 8-9 inches that got sucked in a powerhead (my fault I know), and got chopped up in two. Two days later, my tank crashed because of a bad batch of salt. Many things died in the tank and the two RBTAs bleached pretty bad. Through proper husbandry, they have regained their health and now are doing much better and the bright side of it is, I have two! Now to get back to your question, you would be fine with a BTA in a 33 cube, make sure you buy a healthy species to start with (not bleached, tight mouth, sticky touch). As for spacing, I would strategically place the anemone where it gets a decent amount of light, medium indirect flow and a place where corals are not combating the anemone for space. I will say though, assuming it does well and you take adequate care of it, it will either outgrow/split or both in the tank.
TDesaulniers
New member
They are carnivorous invertebrates. What I feed mine are small pieces of fresh shrimp and scallops. Of course, when my maroon female gets full, she always grabs the spirulina flakes and gives them to the biggest BTA in the tank so they can get their veggies from time to time. If you want them to grow fast then you can feed them small pieces every other day. Once a week though is fine. Some people like to feed theirs silversides but I've read to many horror stories of an anemone dying because of a bad silverside in the batch so I would avoid those.
txmaverickmh
Member
I just squirt a bit of mysis shrimp in the tentacles of my RBTA every few days, just remember they will move until they are comfortable, so there is no use in trying to "put them back" where you want them, because they will move if they dont like the light, flow, etc.
Good luck! Having clownfish host an anemone is one of the coolest things we can do in the aquarium...IMO
Good luck! Having clownfish host an anemone is one of the coolest things we can do in the aquarium...IMO
TheReeferer
New member
What do you mean bad batch of salt?
NakedClown
New member
i feed mine krill/silversiders. i feed mine about once a week if my clown decides to hog the food, she will normally bring over mysis to the RBTA mouth and spit it in there when i feed them. But if not i usally do it once a week or maybe alil longer depending. it catches food as it floats by when it gets stuck on the tentacles. So just get a feel for how it feeds and fall into the routine. Eat RBTA i had has been alil different
TDesaulniers
New member
Believe it or not there are salt batches that can have improper balances. I think it's rare though. Technically you're "suppose"to test each batch of salt you get when you first open it. I didn't.
Thanks guys for all the tips. I went to my lfs today and they have a dark red bubble tip anemone but I didn't like the color. They also had a green carpet anemone but I was afraid on how big those get and I read forms on how they are very picky anemone. Am I right?
So i ended up picking up a frag of a green skin with purple polyp birdsnest. Looks good under the leds
my new favorite coral.
So i ended up picking up a frag of a green skin with purple polyp birdsnest. Looks good under the leds
my new favorite coral.
TDesaulniers
New member
Thanks guys for all the tips. I went to my lfs today and they have a dark red bubble tip anemone but I didn't like the color. They also had a green carpet anemone but I was afraid on how big those get and I read forms on how they are very picky anemone. Am I right?
So i ended up picking up a frag of a green skin with purple polyp birdsnest. Looks good under the leds
Well at least you're not an impulse buyer. That's a good thing in this hobby. That green carpet would have been mine though if I had been in your shoes.
Oh I stood and watched that carpet for a good 10 mins but I couldn't. That thing would've ran my tank in a few months. It was about 5 or so inches around. It would've looked awesome in the tank. Im happy with the birdsnest. Cant wait to see the growth. Hopefully they get some more anemones in.
My lfs mostly carries lps and softies with a bit of sps. They only have 4 anemones in stock atm.
My lfs mostly carries lps and softies with a bit of sps. They only have 4 anemones in stock atm.
