Hangin out...
- Thread starter macperry
- Start date
raoul: I have to admit....I got frustrated and decided to give me and the anem a break. The newest plan is to start feeding the tank Cyclop-Eez, and hope the anem filter feeds enough to keep it healthy. All the other solid foods were spit out or eventually taken right out of the anems mouth by one of the percs.
55semireef
Moved On
Anemones aren't filter feeders.
55semireef: I guess what I should have said was I hope my anem catches some food out of the water when I feed the rest of the tank. I can't seem to illicit a strong feeding response when I brush shrimp, clams, silversides, or squid against her tentacles. She has a definite startle response, and contracts a bit when touched, but she has not shrank into a tight little ball like she used to either. This little critter is tiring me out.
55semireef
Moved On
I had to deal with this when I first got my Rose bubble tip anemone. I used strategy to get mine to feed by starting with Prime Reef flakes. I placed the flake right in the middle of the RBTA and every time the RBTA felt contact with my finger pushing the flake into itself, the anemone would contract bringing the flake with it. This is how my RBTA would eat at first. Over a weeks worth time, that RBTA began to show impressive signs of reactivity and would also acccept basically any other food as well. It can be frustrating especially when the anemone is in a tough place to reach but it pays off to see a healthy anemone feed. I consider myself lucky because all I got to do is throw pieces of shrimp in my tank and both Clarkiis that I have will grab a piece and swim back to their own individual anemone and feed it. Very cool mutualistic relationship between the clown and anemone.
I have clowns that take food away from the nem too! Our cripsa has a pretty good feeding response right now though, in Jan. it will be two years that we've had it. I've never seen the clowns take food to it 
Have you tried distracting the fish with food and then feeding the nem? You could try mysis. Squirt some away from the nem, and while the clowns are eating gently squirt some mysis on the nem's mouth. It may be easier for it to eat that at this point and it may be able to eat it before the pesky clowns get back
Oh, have you tried scallops? That's what got ours eating bigger foods (it did mysis first and was in pretty bad condition when we got it).
Just an idea, good luck!
Have you tried distracting the fish with food and then feeding the nem? You could try mysis. Squirt some away from the nem, and while the clowns are eating gently squirt some mysis on the nem's mouth. It may be easier for it to eat that at this point and it may be able to eat it before the pesky clowns get back
Oh, have you tried scallops? That's what got ours eating bigger foods (it did mysis first and was in pretty bad condition when we got it).
Just an idea, good luck!
55semireef
Moved On
The best type of foods for anemones are meaty foods such as pieces of fresh shrimp and fish.
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