Collecting Wild Anemones Safely From Their Rocks

[KindCorals]

I am planning on moving to an area soon that has wild BTA's, carpets and others and I would like to start doing some research on this topic. I did a bit of searching and didnt find much on this. I would imagine it would be similar to getting one to release from a tank and I've read you can use ice (in a bag or something so it doesnt stick to the anemone) to get it to release from its rock. Does anyone have any information on this?

 

[bradleym]

Ice would be very tricky when diving in tropical waters. It melts fast and floats. I am guessing, but you would probably do better with a small cooler filled with gel ice packs.

To be honest, I think collectors tend to use a version of "the credit card method" where they use something flat, thin and flexible to slide under the foot and pry it loose.

 

[westohooligan]

I have a diver buddy that collects, if he can get the rock they're on by picking up or chiseling off a bit, he takes the rock out of the water, holds it upside down just above the container and waits until they drop off the rock. He said can take as little as a few minutes, sometimes longer.

 

[KindCorals]

The credit card method sounds like it would be easy to damage the foot of the anemone but ice sounds tricky too with the warm water and all. I do remember the old hang the anemone and rock over the container method but I seem to remember that taking ages before my rbtas would release! I'm more interested in carpets anyways so hopefully I can find them in the sand and just 'dig' them up.

Where does your buddy collect westohooligan?

 

[Reefvette]

West hooligan that is not a very good way to remove anemones in the wild.

You can tear tissue especially in mags and gigantea and mertens.

 

[KindCorals]

West hooligan that is not a very good way to remove anemones in the wild.

You can tear tissue especially in mags and gigantea and mertens.

How should it be done?

 

[Reefvette]

Literally there is not 100 safe way to do it. If you can catch one on the move thats your best shot but trying to chip away rock any little nick in the foot is possible doom.

You have to coax them to move so you can not dmage the foot

 

[BonsaiNut]

It can take a LONG TIME and there is no one surefire way to do it. Reality is that many anemones are located in cracks and crevices in rock - and they aren't coming out. Years ago I brought back some magnificas from Tahiti and it took me an hour or more to remove a single one from the top of a coral bommie where it was sitting out in the open. Regardless of the tool or method, it requires patience and a lot of time.

 

[bradleym]

I think an important thing to note is that these anemones think you are a predator, and are literally holding on for their lives. The anemone would rather die than come off that rock in most circumstances. I had a Magnifica on my glass recently, and even THERE, on smooth glass, it took 20 minutes and any faster would've resulted in a torn foot. So yeah, patience is key, because a healthy anemone isn't going to work with you, and actually will let you kill it before it lets go willingly.

 

[KindCorals]

Bonsainut and bradleym, are there any other methods I could try besides the credit card, chiseling the rock and trying to get them to drop from the rock? Might squirting water at the edge of the foot work? Something like a turkey baster would be gentle enough, I would think and maybe cooling NSW down a bit before squirting it.

 

[oceanarium]

It is correct that most anemones in the wild will have the foot in some sort of hole or crevice soon as disturbed the anemone retreats to its hole and in most circumstances the reef is chiseled away to take some rock and a single or group of anemones including the rock.

Some times you can get lucky and find some in more manageable dead staghorn rock and only need to break a little rock, but this happens less often.

Credit card would be hopeless on the reef, you would damage the anemones way to much.

 

[OrionN]

I think it is best to break a bit of rock where the anemone is on and take it with you. I think this is easier said then done.
When I move one of my many anemones from one tank to another I just take the rock with it. When I cannot, I usually start at one edge of the foot then slowly get it loose from there. A sharp blade is useful at these time but only to start to bet one edge loose. Be careful not to injure the anemone with a sharp blade. It is not easy when I am out side on land. Full gear underwater I am sure is much harder.

 

[KindCorals]

I would think a credit card would only work on a flat smooth surface like if the anemone was stuck to the glass.

I cant imagine trying to use a sharp blade to get an anemone loose! At least a credit card is much less likely to injure the anemone if you slip.

I also saw another post where the person said "waving your hand briskly near the nem will create an irritating disturbance, usually causing it to release itself within seconds."

 

[OrionN]

...
I cant imagine trying to use a sharp blade to get an anemone loose! At least a credit card is much less likely to injure the anemone if you slip.
...

I use the sharp blade to dig at the rock and crumble the rock at the anemone's foot to loose a small piece of rock it foot attach to (do not use the blade to separate the anemone from the rock). From there I use my hand to loosen the rest of the anemone's foot.
Blade use on rock not on anemone's foot.

 

[bluewater921]

here in florida when we are collecting nems off the rocks it does take some time .. you dont want to damage the foot at all .. we tickle them off the rocks .. they will start to let go then you just take your time and keep tickling them and they will come off easy no damage to any part of the nem .. do not use anything to remove them but your hands ..

 

[KindCorals]

OrionN so the sharp blade basically is similar to the chisel method. That makes me feel a lot better :spin3:

bluewater921 is that just rubbing your finger on the edge of the foot and then they will slowly release from that area? After a portion of the foot releases and you can get your hand or some fingers under the foot, can you start to gently pry or peel them up?