Clownfish & Anemone Only Tank

[jshorter]

Hi everyone!

I am toying with the idea of switching to a Clownfish & Anemone only tank. My Caribbean biotype tank hasn't turned out the way I had really hoped, and I am getting kind of bored with it.

I plan on selling off what little livestock I have and setting up a Clownfish & Anemone (with a few other compatible creatures) only setup with the live sand and live rock that I have already in place (I am VERY happy with current the setup/layout, just not fond of the livestock).

The current tank has been set up for 14 months and consists of the following:

• 40 gallon breeder
• 45 pounds Haitian live rock
• 60 pounds fine Caribbean live sand
• 15 gallon refugium/sump
• 250 MH pendant with 2 -32 watt PC's

Here is a shot of what it looks like without livestock (I have since added 2 more powerheads for a total of 6).

I would LOVE suggestions on what species to add to the tank, and if anyone can provide me with photos of their Clownfish & Anemone only tanks, that would be great!

Thanks a bunch!

Jason

 

[elegance coral]

Well.......There is no right or wrong to your question. In my opinion, based on your post, I think you should go with a magnifica and percula tank.

Being a bugologist, you should have a good understanding of the animal kingdom. Someone that keeps orchids obviously appreciates a challenge. You probably grew board with the Caribbean tank because there's not much of a challenge to keeping one. You've been at this for 10 years. I think all this makes you the perfect candidate to attempt a magnifica tank. It will take some studying, if you haven't done so already. Your rock work is set up perfect for magnificas.

 

[jshorter]

Excellent! That gives me a place to start, and that will help me to do my research first!!!

THANK YOU!

Jason

 

[myxsptlk]

That would be a great idea, mind those powerheads though, 6 potential blenders right there. Are you planning on just one or two mags and clowns or going to try for as many as you can fit in there? If going for the latter you'd need another pendant.

 

[jshorter]

It would just be one or 2 anemones and some clownfish. I would also add a few other compatible inverts (to be decided depending on what I end up getting for the tank).

 

[criccio]

Go check out Inland Aquatics, they have all types of clowns and you might get some ideas.

 

[tufacody]

Similar to what I did. My best advice is not to buy a nem online. Wait for the LFS to get one and make sure that it appears 100% healthy before you buy. Took me three trys to finally get a healthy gigantea. The first two were purchased online and didn't last a month.

 

[jshorter]

How are BTA as far as hardiness, and ease of care?

Jason

 

[myxsptlk]

BTAs are supposedly the hardiest of the host anemones but do tend to walkabout a bit. Though if it was a dedicated anemone and clown tank it wouldn't really matter, just have to watch out for powerheads.

 

[jshorter]

Are they more prone to stay up in the rocks, or bury it's foot in the sand bed?

 

[garygb]

BTAs will stay in the rocks, preferably planting their foot on a rock overhang and their column and tentacles coming out into the light. BTAs are generally hardy and a very good choice as host anemones go. They are natural hosts for a wide variety of clownfish species, once they find a spot they like they don't wander, and often they reproduce assexually in aquariums.

If you are looking for a more challenging species, then H. magnifica would provide you with that. This species will settle on top of the rock work, most likely on one of the flat, smooth pieces of liverock you have in your tank. Your ligthing is fine for this species. You can research the species on here, on WetWebMedia, etc. They need good water movement, strong lighting, sg of 1.025-1.027, temp. 80-82F, regular feedings, preferably 0 nitrates, and generally high quality water. They too host a wide range of species of clowns, including both ocellaris and peculas.

I have both BTAs and H. mags, BTAs are definitely easier, but both are hardy once well-established.

 

[jshorter]

OK, I think I am going to go with a BTA tank, but to make it a little more interesting, so I would like to do a biotype tank.

If I have BTA's, what species of Clownfish would naturally be found with them?

Also, what other species of fish, inverts, etc., would you suggest putting into the tank to mimic their (BTA) natural environment?

Thanks!
Jason

 

[clowns101]

For the clownfish that host them naturaly I would go with the following:
1.The most common would be Amphiprion Frenatus commonly know as the Tomato clownfish.
2.Still common but not like the Tomat clowns the Amphiprion Melanopus commonly know as the Cinnoman clowns.
3.Pretty popular the Amphiprion Biaculeatus a.k.a the Maroon Anemone Fish.
4.From the islands of Fiji this clown is just now becomeing know from what I'v heard Amphiprion Barberi a.k.a the Fiji Barberi Anemone Fish.
5.This anemone fish does not host this one naturly but will host whatever anemone is provided fpr it this clownfish is the Amphiprion Clarkii a.k.a the Clarkiis Anemone Fish.
For other fish there is very many and would tank me very long to list them.Just to let you know the Entacmea Quadricolors a.k.a the Bubble Tip Anemone also know as the Bulb Anemone their natural habitat would be the islands of Fiji.

 

[jshorter]

Perfect! That gives me a frame of reference to start building on!!

 

[garygb]

Actually Clarkii is a natural symbiont for E. quadricolor, and Premnas is the genus for maroons. Otherwise, I agree with everything Clowns101 said.

 

[jshorter]

Pictures of a Clown/Anemone Dedicated Tank?

Pictures of a Clown/Anemone Dedicated Tank?

I would love to see some photos of Clown/Anemone dedicated tanks if anyone has any. Specifically tanks that have BTA and/or are biotype tanks. Thanks!!

Jason

 

[davocean]

For a BTA tank, you gotta check Moberts, sticky at top, 27 clowns.
BTA's are known for being easier, less light needy, and they split.
They do have a rep for walking though more than others, but all can move.
I went w/ LTA's in mine so I can atleast keep them at bottom.
Good to setup intakes , PH's w/ nems in mind, your current setup seems to have alot of places that can harm them just looking at it(not sure of pull intakes have on yours)
My tank will have one pair piccassos, a porcelain crab, sexy shrimp, maybe a pom pom crab, maybe bangaii cardinals, basically all stuff that isn't affected or can go in nems.
Mines still very new, but here's pics.