Good "First" Anemone? Clownfish Questions?

[xCountryQueenx]

I'm looking to purchase my first anemone, hopefully with a pair of clownfish! What would be a good anemone to invest in? What do the clownfish like and about how expensive are they? What do you feed them and how often? I am very excited to have one, but not sure which one would be a good choice for me...

While we are on the subject... Do clownfish do better in pairs, groups or alone? I'm thinking I want two Ocellaris (False Percs??), what do you think? How big will they get, will they get aggressive towards other fish if kept in a pair? Can they share the anemone?

 

[Smnparish]

How old is your tank?

 

[xCountryQueenx]

It's been established for approximately six months, maybe slightly more.

 

[skng2011]

Looking to get my first Anemone also . . . Hopefully get some good info off this thread!

 

[seamonkey84]

Well the bubble tip anemones are the hardiest and easiest to keep. plus they're my favorite for all the colors available, will host all species of clowns, and ease of cloning. As for what kinds you can keep all depends on your lighting and flow. For clowns, it's best to keep just one or a pair (don't mix species). Attempting a group usually ends badly, not to say it can't be done but not recommended. If you want them to be peaceful towards other fish, avoid maroons for sure. Ocellaris and percula are relatively peaceful towards tank mates ( but bites hands) along with skunk clowns, and clarkii. Tomatoes can be fairly aggressive as well.

 

[velvetelvis]

Well the bubble tip anemones are the hardiest and easiest to keep. plus they're my favorite for all the colors available, will host all species of clowns, and ease of cloning. As for what kinds you can keep all depends on your lighting and flow. For clowns, it's best to keep just one or a pair (don't mix species). Attempting a group usually ends badly, not to say it can't be done but not recommended. If you want them to be peaceful towards other fish, avoid maroons for sure. Ocellaris and percula are relatively peaceful towards tank mates ( but bites hands) along with skunk clowns, and clarkii. Tomatoes can be fairly aggressive as well.

Good advice. I have had very different experiences with clarkii, though; mine were among the most aggressive fish I've ever kept. I know at least one poster here also had skunks that turned very aggressive once they began breeding. If you want fish that stay relatively mellow (in my experience) towards tankmates, ocellaris or percs might be your best bet.

 

[seamonkey84]

Plus you get all the unique morphs to choose from I love my ocellaris snowflakes, and black phantom. Theyre just not the standard every day clowns, I started with a black ocellaris, now I have two pairs of designers. Not as into the perculas myself but there are so many nice picasso Percs.

 

[Smnparish]

+1, I have some rainbow bta's and they are just awesome! Also a good first nem.

 

[fishroomlady]

Rainbows are beautiful. We don't see many at the LFS's here though ....I think you should go for a pair of ocellaris then you don't need to think about aggressiveness for the most part. There are many different colors now. I have black and they have these cute little orange faces (probably more of a chick fish )....anyway if you could find a rainbow- that would be awesome.

 

[seamonkey84]

Well my favorite dealer has some very nice rose bta on sale on his site, I saw them in person, very healthy and I bought one. He's not a sponsor so i can't post his info on here. Let me know if your interested.
Very good price for this, here's mine under ATI t5 bulbs

 

[xCountryQueenx]

I would be interested in purchasing a Rose BTA Anemone from your dealer, could you please message me and send me more informations, perhaps a website or contact information? Have you ever purchased online, is it stressful to the animals??

 

[College Fishman]

also interested.... could you please send me his info. thanks

 

[velvetelvis]

One of the best ways to acquire anemones is to check with your local reef club. Frequently members will have BTAs that split and the aquarists offer the clones for sale or trade. The anemone doesn't have to cope with the stress of being shipped, and you'll be doing wild clownfish and anemones a favor by not purchasing wild-collected anemones (which a dealer's usually are, unless they specify otherwise). Aquacultured anemones also tend to be much hardier.