Anemone how big of a risk

[DogueDeBordeaux]

I have been searching for a gig or ritteri because i wanted an anemone.I have high flow and bright Lights. My sps frags are doing great both color and growth.
I have a large space in the front corner. I am i crazy to think it will just stay in that spot?
My gig will be at the retailer tomorrow. It will have bright lights and plenty of flow.

After reading Gary's thread about his gig going for a walk i am having second thoughts.
I really don't want a bta. I have a BB sps tank. The only suitable anemone is the ritteri or gig because of flow, BB, and 400w lights.
I don't think i can handle an anemone going for a walk. They are hard to find so I have to make a decision quick.

 

[cichlidconvert]

Well I wish I could say don't worry. But I there is always a possibility they will go for a walk. Even if the have been in the same spot forever. All it takes sometimes is for the flow to alter or a spike in nitrates, or just cuz. Now having said that certain species move more than others and IMO they have differences inter species. Carpets from what I hear move less but may be prone to move also. When I introduced my two mags and they were the only things in the tank except fish and cuc. the green gig moved a couple inches and found a spot. The blue walked 6" across the face of the rock and moves up and down the rock work. And both I would expect something like that occuring and not so much walking all over your tank. That's a nice blue gig your getting. It would be a beautiful addition. Now that I have gigs, I know why people are crazy about them

 

[D-Nak]

I have an SPS dominated tank with LEDs and lots of flow. I created an island for my gig and it never moved. IME, gigs don't detach like other anemones. Even when they're not happy, they still tend to stay on the rock.

On the other hand, magnifica like to roam around when not happy, and typically like to crawl up the walls of the tank to the highest spot. The key is to not let them touch the tank walls, or they'll sense that they can move up. I think mags are more prone to mow down your SPS than a gig.

BTAs are the worst of them all, since they not only detach, but can float around the tank, often times getting sucked into powerheads.

If you have the space to create an island, the purple gig that you're looking at would be a nice addition, though I recommend quarantining it first before adding it to the DT.

 

[OrionN]

My Gigantea's did not move much, no more than a few inches from where I put them. You do need to give them what they need. Once healthy, IME, Magnificas are harder to keep than Giganteas. Gigantea seem to tolerate a wider range of condition than Magnifica.

 

[DogueDeBordeaux]

ok, thanks for the extra push, I think.
I have enough room in the right hand front corner to place a few rocks that will be away from the main reef structure and tank walls.
How many inches away should I try to keep the anemone rocks from the main structure and tank walls?

 

[OrionN]

Gigantea likely will not try to climb the wall of your aquarium One of mine kinda squash to the front wall of my 65 g tank and he have not move for since introduction several (6-7) months ago.
Depends on the size but I would plan for a 12-14 inches circular area for him with possibly a few inches clearance around it. Everything inside that radius is dead except for another Gigantea and clowns. They are quite good fish eater also, just like Haddoni.
You maybe able to get away with a smaller area if he is small at first. We all really want to feed our Gigantea, he will reach that size quick enough, even if he did not start out at that size. Look at the pictures of my yellow and purple Giganteas in my albums. 6 inches to 12 in no time at all (2-3 months)

 

[DogueDeBordeaux]

I seen your pics. nice
I have 12+ inches radius, and maybe a gap between rocks around 2"

 

[cichlidconvert]

It sounds like a great spot to put a nice purple gig

 

[Reef1589]

what others are saying ill agree....ime my gigs havent moved much....but i always keep in mind they have the potential to move....not only that they have the potential to grow to a really large size...

i have one s. gig that likes to not move...but shift...1" - 3" to the left one month...then next.month he moves back to the right...not a big deal.... but when he reaches a bigger size.... a 20" s. gig moving 3" to the left or right could do alot of damage depending on how you place your corals...so just always keep that in mind...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

go with the gig and be prepared to move corals if necessary

 

[worm5406]

Go with the Ritteri.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SQ2QLKK58r8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Heteractis magnifica moves around much more than gig. In SPS aquariums gig is clearly a much better choice.

 

[ca1ore]

I have successfully kept a ritteri a few times over the years. In all cases I arranged my rock so that a single pillar was available for the anemone. Never had a wanderer as the nem would have to retreat from the light to descend the pillar. Good light and alternating flow did the trick for me.

Have never tried to keep a gig.