feeding anemones

[saxerphoner]

I have an atlantic anemone and read that a good thing to feed it was shrimp. This may be a stupid question but can this be the shrimp you buy raw from the grocery store or seafood market?? If so, how big of a piece and should I take the shell off first??

Thanks for any feedback!!!

 

[IslandCrow]

Shrimp from the grocery store is just fine. That's what I use. I leave the shell on, though I don't feed it the head. . .not because I've ever been told not to, but there just seem to be too many sharp protrusions on the head. Anyway, how big a piece you feed is a subject of some debate, but I would usually cut off about a 1/2" chunk for my 6-8" diameter anemone. He'd eat bigger, but I figured it should probably be a bit smaller than the anemone's mouth at the very least.
Other foods you can feed the anemone are silversides (a favorite among many), mysis shrimp, clam, or just about any fish. Actually, just about any meaty seafood should be acceptable, and just like your fish, it's a good idea to mix it up a bit so you have a better chance of meeting all of its nutritional needs.

 

[saxerphoner]

I have some frozen shrimp in my freezer... would it be okay to thaw it out well and use this??

thanks for your help!

 

[Amphiprion]

It is fine to feed food shrimp, just be sure that you are confident of the quality and the source. I would not feed local shrimp from my area to my anemone (mercury doesn't bother me [yet], but it does bother other animals).

 

[saxerphoner]

what if i don't know the source such as frozen shrimp? Would you trust it and is it that big of an issue?

 

[petoonia]

I would suggest getting something fresh, that you know where it comes from. Just to be on the safe side!

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8188768#post8188768 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saxerphoner
what if i don't know the source such as frozen shrimp? Would you trust it and is it that big of an issue?

Petoonia's advice is sound--I would do that. Whether or not it is that big of an issue or not is hard to say. It is going to depend upon the source of the seafood. Like I said, I have seen VERY negative reactions from shrimp from my area. They have to either be caught further into the Gulf or from a different area altogether (at least for me).