Beginner anemones?

Sw1tchG3ar

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Is there such a thing as beginner anemones? I plan on getting a pain of clowns and like to watch them host a anemone. Is one hardier then the other? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
 
I would say btas are the hardiest but still need decent water paramters and light. Keep in mind though if btas are not a natural host for the clowns you get the clowns still may not go into the anemone
 
BTA's seem to be the go to, they are certainly more forgiving compared to other host nems.
The only thing though is they seem to wander more, and cover more ground since they tend to crawl rockwork or glass, and they sting and kill most anything in their path.
So they may be easier to keep, but more challenging to keep in a mixed reef, or at least more challenging to keep corals w/ a BTA.
 
Would it be better to introduce the anemone fist to the tank? Let it do its thing until it finds its favorite spot or will it keep moving regardless?
 
Well the problem is we normally advise having a tank established minimum of 6mo so it is stable enough, so I guess it depends how patient you are, though you could add corals that are attached to rock that is movable.
I have had to move many corals out of a nems path, if you are lucky enough to see that move coming.
The issue I see w/ BTA's over the years is often they will pick a spot, stay there a year, you feel certain they are done wandering and then they just pick up and move for seemingly no reason.
I don't keep BTA's myself anymore for this reason, not unless they are in a nem specific tank.
Some people do, and have luck in doing so, good for anyone that does.
I personally like less risk, so I have kept primarily sand dwellars, less wandering, and it's on sand bed if they do, though it is even more critical params be stable for those type of nems usually.
On my new tank however I'm going to try a mag/ritteri.
I'm hoping their need for strong light and flow will keep it perched high up where I place it, fingers crossed.
From my years of watching here it seems doable, but I would not consider them a beginner anemone.
 
Thank you Davocean I appreciate the information. Seems like I would benefit more from having a sand dweller. I will be patient and keep on with the plan I have and hopefully get to the point in which case I can keep a sand dwelling anemone. Once again thank you for the information
 
How about a mini maxi carpet anemone. Really easy to care for colors are infinite and they don't move usually.
 
Thank you Davocean I appreciate the information. Seems like I would benefit more from having a sand dweller. I will be patient and keep on with the plan I have and hopefully get to the point in which case I can keep a sand dwelling anemone. Once again thank you for the information

It's worked well for me over a great many years, I'm just trying to step up to a natural host nem match as what would be found in the wild, which to me is key for best success, and since I am drawn to perculas it just makes sense.
Many clowns will take an unnatural host match though.
My favorite sand dwellar nem for a mixed reef became the Malu
They come in nice bright colors compared to most, and they max out at about 8-10" in diameter which is also nice at keeping that buffer zone from touching corals.
Moderate to heavy light and modest flow seems best, and not too terribly sensitive IMO, fairly similar to needs similar to an LTA, also a favorite of mine.
 
Im with davocean, i have btas and have split many times but rarely move a few inches from where they are at but there is always the chance. Even though they host my ocy clowns i wanna move to a more natural host for them.
 

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