Do anemones eat?

[ginger7286]

I have several anemones in my tank. I have had them for several months and they appear quite happy and healthy. They have moved around the tank after I put them in and they have all found their places and are anchored to their rocks. I have tried feeding them once a week or every 10 days. I have tried thawed Prime Reef, sliversides and other foods. None of them like the food I give them, they spit it out and the shrimp and crab eat the food. Because they will not eat the above mentioned food I feed them Cyclops-Eze once a week. This dust does not seem like enough to keep them alive. Are the clowns feeding them? Do they bring food to their host BTA? Is ther another food I can try? I have tried chopped squid, nothing in tank likes that. ANything else I can try?

 

[AQUA DAVE]

Anemones don't need to be fed often at all. The most important thing for their success is lighting and water quality. If they have enough light, they will do fine if you never feed them. The one thing i could tell you to try is the salad shrimp you buy at the market. Make sure it is not processed and to cut it into small chunks. Feed a chunk every once in a while and see how it takes to it. The clowns will feed the anemone extra food once they have had their fill. It is pretty cool to watch.

 

[kar93]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11650475#post11650475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AQUA DAVE
Anemones don't need to be fed often at all.

Totally disagre. I feed every 3 days

 

[reefnut1]

You can feed or not feed them. If you have enough light and good quality water they will be fine. If you want them to split more often then feed them every 2 or 3 days. My clowns do feed their anemones, just watch them while you feed them. My anemones seem to like mysis shrimp the best.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11652038#post11652038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Totally disagree. I feed every 3 days

I totally disagree. Just because you feed your nems every 3 days doesnt mean they have to be fed that much. I might feed my anemones once a month. Been doing it that way for a couple of years now. I have a carpet and a bta. If you have enough light they will be fine with less feedings.

 

[ginger7286]

Thanks for all the input. It is appreciated.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

Mine take krill whenever I try to feed them though.

 

[andygb54303]

never ever fed mine, tried once spit it out. healthy and happy. I see the clowns dragging food to it. I will let nature take its course.

 

[Kengaroo131]

i feed mine once a week and it seems to be happy and bubbley.

 

[davocean]

Aquadave is right, light is probably #1, then water.
When I first got my nems about 5yrs ago I had no idea, and didn't feed for about a year and a half, other than free floating brine.
My habits have changed of course since this site, but still I only give one silver a week if that, and they get a little mysis 2-3 times a week.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I am in between on this. I feed mine about once or twice a month. Think it can be very helpful for a bleached or damaged one.

But to the OP, I would be concerned that yours won't accept any food, IMO, that isn't a good sign.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Re: Do anemones eat?

YES!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11650168#post11650168 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ginger7286
I have several anemones in my tank. I have had them for several months and they appear quite happy and healthy. They have moved around the tank after I put them in and they have all found their places and are anchored to their rocks. I have tried feeding them once a week or every 10 days. I have tried thawed Prime Reef, sliversides and other foods. None of them like the food I give them, they spit it out and the shrimp and crab eat the food. Because they will not eat the above mentioned food I feed them Cyclops-Eze once a week. This dust does not seem like enough to keep them alive. Are the clowns feeding them? Do they bring food to their host BTA? Is ther another food I can try? I have tried chopped squid, nothing in tank likes that. ANything else I can try?

do you know what type of anemones that you have? (See Anemone FAQ at the top of this forum to aid with identification.)