First nem (BTA) and pair of clowns!

[chasekwe]

Hi guys!


Just ordered my 1st ever anemone (a BTA) and a pair of clowns to go with it. My second pair of clowns, last set were maroons and that was about 10 yrs ago.

Diver's Den specimens, here are the pictures (cause we all like those):

I think the clowns will look very sharp swimming about in their purple nem!



Anyways, I'm writing to inquire about what I can best do to get the tank prepared for their Saturday arrival. I have a nice flat rock in mind for the nem (if it'll stay there) about 8" under the water, and about 8" above the waterline is my Aquaillumination LED fixture which I currently run 11.5hrs a day at 75%white/95%blue. Flow is provided by the Eheim 1260 return dialed back to about 300GPH and split between 2 loc-line returns that I can aim anywhere and 2 vortech MP10Ws.

My current plan is to lower the lighting to about half strength and raise it 10% or so each week for ~1 month and point the return lines near but not at where I want the nem.

I temp acclimate and then drip for 40mins or so typically, is this acceptable?
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When it's ready, what do I use to transfer it, I have medical gloves I could pick it up with?
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How about feeding for the first couple of weeks, I feed my fish frozen mixtures 2x/day, can it just eat whatever floats into it?
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Should I seperate the clowns from the nem for the first couple days?
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Anything else?!


Thanks so much for any help! I couldn't be much more excited.

 

[savageAJC]

WOW! sweet nem/ clown pair!
wouldnt worry about feeding nem first couple weeks, i would try to keep the nem in water as you transfer it, have read you can injure it while taking it out ( crushing its organs etc.)
maybe some type of cup/ jar you can scoop it in?

 

[2Addicted]

That anemone is intense!!!! The clowns are awesome too! I dont think it will stay on a flat rock. They like to have there foot in a crevice or hole.

 

[CockyBrock]

I agree with addicted; find a nice spot between two rocks and put it there...it will bury its foot deep and open up like a trumpet reaching up towards the light...just make sure there's adequate flow over that spot and it'll be fine!

And yes, that's an amazing BTA...love the color!

Clown's ain't bad either

 

[chasekwe]

Ok guys. My issue atm is that I don't have any crevices between 2 rocks that aren't accessible from the underside. Is this going to be ok or do I need to try and add a new rock to form this sort of thing? How big of a gap/space are we talking btw? (nem is 6.5" but it'll need room to grow)

Do I aim the flow directly at it? And are nems like sponges where air exposure is detrimental? I can certainly transfer in a small tupperware but I always prefer to transfer minimal water volume.


Thanks for the help so far, they come tomorrow, any advice is appreciated as I need some time for prep if I'll have to be adding new rock, etc.

 

[2Addicted]

Ill try to post some pictures this afternoon of how my anemones have there foot placed in a crevice to give you an idea. Your light acclimation sounds good. How big is your tank?

 

[chasekwe]

42 gallon display, 84g system volume. Prolly running around 72-75g w/displacement.

 

[chasekwe]

Just a dinner time bump for any further input/advice. Particularly interested in how you'd structure flow around the nem, both to keep it happy and hopefully encourage it to stay in place.

 

[davocean]

First off, those clowns are stunning!
2nd, I've had BTA's like med-fairly strong flow, so start w/ tents gently moving.
But it is hard to guess, I've even had clones go to different flow areas, and a couple that liked being blasted, but I would not shoot for that.
As for food, wouldn't worry too much right away, and would start w/ just mysis.
As for foot/placement, as long as it has a craggy area to place foot should be ok, flat rock MIGHT have enough nooks, hard to say sight unseen.
Take pics and post.

 

[chasekwe]

Thanks davocean! The area I'm thinking is basically anywhere it will stay on top of this flat rock at the very top of the following formation. Close-ups of that area to follow... (Note that the lights are not that blinding in person, I just suck with cameras)

I can place another rock on top of the flat piece to form a crevice is absolutely necessary and I'm committed to doing whatever is best for the nem... but if it isn't important I very much like my rockwork as is.

 

[chasekwe]

Here's an old dry pic I wanted to add... this is pre-hood/pre-water.

 

[davocean]

I think you're fine, I would expect it may tuck into the wedge area by rock pointing up.

 

[chasekwe]

I think you're fine, I would expect it may tuck into the wedge area by rock pointing up.

Thanks, that area is accessible from underneath though, my Fire Shrimp lives in that general area. Think it'll be ok with that? The nem, not the shrimp.

 

[davocean]

The only harm that could be done is the fire shrimp trying to steal food from it.
I keep a poker pointed at my cleaners when I spot feed my nem to fend them off.
Fire shrimp are usually more shy though, it may stay away completely, or clowns may chase it off.

 

[Mavrk]

Are those semi-snowflakes? Very nice. I sure hope they choose that amazing anemone as host. I really want to see a picture of that.

 

[chasekwe]

Thanks again davocean, feeling a bit more confident now.

And yes Mavrk, they're semi-snowflake. I looked at tons of pictures of different designer clowns, my favorites are these along with the black ice/s'mores which basically look very similar. I like how they still have the traditional clownfish look but with the interesting lines. I have a few non-fish people in my house, and I promised them clownfish... if I came home with something that didn't look like Finding Nemo they'd of not been pleased. Being that I rely on their help in maintaining the tank when I'm at work, keeping everybody happy is the name of the game.

If I were to pick a personal favorite clown regardless of cost, tank size, etc. I think A. latezonatus are absolutely striking.

 

[2Addicted]

Well.... are they here yet?!?!?!

 

[chasekwe]

They are, the clowns and also a starcki I ordered have acclimated and are in the tank.

The nem is nearly done with acclimation, I have the lights nearly to off as I like to add new fish in zero to low light.


When I put the nem in in the next 15min or so should I turn the lights up a bit or no?

 

[2Addicted]

awesome! How does the anemone look after shipping? healthy?

 

[chasekwe]

Very, I think. Didn't really get to see the mouth yet. It is much larger than I expected.

The moment it went in the acclimation bucket it's foot stuck, like I'm talking second #1. Tentacles weren't bubbled at all while acclimating but now they're very puffy in the display.

He is currently moving around down behind the rocks, guess something about my placement was wrong. He is definitely purple but I'm running the blue light kinda high by comparison to the white now so it's difficult to tell.


The clowns are extremely healthy, I've never seen fish come half so well through shipping... they look as if they've been in the tank for months already. The starcki is worse for wear but better looking than average for shipped fish.

Overall, I'm very pleased. I'm worried the nem will set-up shop somewhere not nicely viewable but for now I'm just happy that it appears healthy. Powerheads have sponge guards so should be gtg.