Easiest anemone to keep

[carlos_fb]

Wondering what would be the easiest anemone to keep in a reef tank that would host clowns?

 

[kar93]

NO anemones are easy to keep but the hardiest that would host clowns is the BTA

 

[davocean]

I agree, no nem is EASY.
BTA's get an easy rating as far as light needs and are hearty, but they tend to wander more, and I see you have sps, which could be a prob.
My opinion is if you want nems, get them first, let settle, then get other corals.
Many will tell you sps and nems don't mix well, and to a point I agree.
I have mixed, but I did start w/ nems first.
Other way around is a gamble, and they do sting what they touch.

 

[SPARTAN VI]

I read that the Condylactis are good for beginners. I just so happen to pick one up by mistake.

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11240742#post11240742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SPARTAN VI
I read that the Condylactis are good for beginners. I just so happen to pick one up by mistake.

They are easier, however a condy isn't a hosting anemone. Sure once in a while they will host a clown (( my clarkii pair were hosted by one for a while )), but they could also eat a clown too.

 

[SPARTAN VI]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11240786#post11240786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
They are easier, however a condy isn't a hosting anemone. Sure once in a while they will host a clown (( my clarkii pair were hosted by one for a while )), but they could also eat a clown too.

Read the same. According to Wilkerson's Clownfishes book, "Maroon and Clark's Clowns, and occasionally Tomato Clowns, will associate with Atlantic [Condylactis spp.] anemones" (Wilkerson, 46).

 

[elegance coral]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11240972#post11240972 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SPARTAN VI
Read the same. According to Wilkerson's Clownfishes book, "Maroon and Clark's Clowns, and occasionally Tomato Clowns, will associate with Atlantic [Condylactis spp.] anemones" (Wilkerson, 46).

I have tried this several times, and the anemone has never done well for me when hosting clowns.
Everyone says that BTA's are the easiest to keep. I have killed 3 of them. I have much better luck with Haddoni's and LTA's. I think the biggest factor is getting a healthy anemone to start with.

 

[adtravels]

aiptasia, majano are both species i have had no trouble keeping at all.

 

[Spears A418tm]

I have 2 in my 120. A Condylacti and red tip. My maroon clown plays in both of them. The Condylacti is super hardy, it will not die! They only problem with it is that it moves a TON! The red tip stays put. I like it a lot. The condy is hiding on the left.

 

[elegance coral]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11244748#post11244748 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Spears A418tm
I have 2 in my 120. A Condylacti and red tip. My maroon clown plays in both of them. The Condylacti is super hardy, it will not die! They only problem with it is that it moves a TON! The red tip stays put. I like it a lot. The condy is hiding on the left.

Do you think that your Condi moving all the time and "hiding" could be due to the harassment by the clown fish? Is it possible that the "red tip" is not moving because it is a natural host and not bothered by the clown?

 

[Lance M.]

That "red-tip" anemone is a rock anemone (E. crucifer). Mine is dark green/brown/violet. They don't move much, hence the name rock and they aren't natural clownfish hosts, but very very hardy in my opinion (and strong stingers too).

Condys are Atlantic anemones and therefore not a natural host for clownfish, since there aren't clownfish in the atlantic, but sometimes a clownfish will host it.

As for clownfish hosts, just from my experience bta's are hardy. But I've only kept 3 btas and 1 lta so far and plan on carpets in the future with bigger tanks.

Like elegance coral said, the key is finding a healthy specimen.

 

[elegance coral]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11246468#post11246468 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lance M.
That "red-tip" anemone is a rock anemone (E. crucifer). Mine is dark green/brown/violet. They don't move much, hence the name rock and they aren't natural clownfish hosts, but very very hardy in my opinion (and strong stingers too).

I thought by "red tip" he was talking about what looks like a bubble tip on the top right. I guess he could be talking about the rock/flower anemone. It has a reddish color as well.

 

[Lance M.]

I was refering to the rock anemone bottom left, to right of the trumpet coral.

Now looking at the picture again I notice another one to the right of the brain coral, underneath the clams.

 

[Spears A418tm]

Yeah I was talking about the one on the right. Here is another picture of what I am talking about... Now I am not sure what it is called...

 

[garygb]

That last pic is a rose bulb tentacle anemone (BTA).
Gary

 

[Spears A418tm]

THANKS! My clown LOVES it!

 

[idareefer]

I have a rittera, 6 years and counting, about 2 ' now, mated pair of percs who live in him always spawning, bit everyone sais they are very hard, so I can't say, I here BTA'S , my buddies all have them and they splt for them all the time.