We got our first anemone last weekend, a bubble tip, and it seems to be thriving. We've also realized that these things are very fascinating creatures, and we would like to know if it would be advisable to have two anemones in the same tank? Specifacally this bubble tip, and a long tentacle. They would both be in a 90 gallon tank. Didn't know if it would be safe to have two or not in case one was to move around quite a bit and find the other one. So, what do you guys/gals say?
Is it safe to have two anemones?
- Thread starter MoonInTn
- Start date
45commando
New member
Hi,I have 2 Haddoni & 3 bubble tips(2 red,1 green),in my tank,so I would say yes you'll be fine.You may want to wait a while,just to make sure the bubble tip stays put in it's current location.As for the LT anemone,they can/do tend roam around the tank,so be prephared to have to move corals out of it's path,until it finds a good position.Do you have a sand bed,as LT seem to like to bury their foot in the sand?Good luck & HTH.
Thanks 45commando. Yes we have a 3 to 4 inch sand bed. Maybe we could try putting a long tentacle in the sand and let it roam until it finds it's own spot? The bubble tip hasn't moved all week except for sucking itself down the hole in the rock we first put it on. It went all the way through to the under side of the rock and I guess when it realized there wasn't much light under there, it came back up the hole.
J8851
New member
i was thinking about a BTA to go with my haddoni because the BTA could remain in the rockwork while the haddoni sat on the ground. I'm really not sure yet.
i had an LTA for a long time he moved around when i first got him then when he found his "spot" he didn't move until well i killed him by ripping his foot while upgrading tanks, didnt realize his foot was on both the glass and piece of rock and i ripped it by accident. i was sick of the incident.
i had an LTA for a long time he moved around when i first got him then when he found his "spot" he didn't move until well i killed him by ripping his foot while upgrading tanks, didnt realize his foot was on both the glass and piece of rock and i ripped it by accident. i was sick of the incident.
davocean
Active member
It is safe, but make sure that's what you want.
Had I known how big mine would get I would have kept to one nem in my 90.
After having a buffer zone between them and corals doesn't leave alot of room, so less corals.
Also, most want nem/clown host, and having more than one pair of clowns isn't recommended.
I ended up getting a 180 for my crispa and LTA and still feel a little limited for coral space.
Had I known how big mine would get I would have kept to one nem in my 90.
After having a buffer zone between them and corals doesn't leave alot of room, so less corals.
Also, most want nem/clown host, and having more than one pair of clowns isn't recommended.
I ended up getting a 180 for my crispa and LTA and still feel a little limited for coral space.
redvipe2010
In Memoriam
I disagree with two different types of anemones in one tank. So does Anthony Calfo, Steven Pro, and Bob Fenner.
Slakker
Premium Member
Oooh...well aren't you special, bringing out the big names? 
I think it varies greatly on the tank environment and on the individuals in question...not all anemones will behave the same as others of the same species.
One person may have luck, others might have a disaster. I personally wouldn't risk it, but that doesn't mean someone more confident in their abilities wouldn't give it a shot.
I think it varies greatly on the tank environment and on the individuals in question...not all anemones will behave the same as others of the same species.
One person may have luck, others might have a disaster. I personally wouldn't risk it, but that doesn't mean someone more confident in their abilities wouldn't give it a shot.
Rod Buehler
New member
I do run carbon. In one system i have 2 very healthy giganteas, and a huge RBTA. They are in separate tanks, but attached to a common system/sump . All of them are thriving. In another system, I have an H.mag very close to 2 RBTA's (same tank), with a few more RBTAs in another tank on that system. Again, I do run carbon pretty aggressively.
One thing is for sure, I am by no means an expert on anemones. lol But from what I'm getting from the replies, am I to figure on the bubble tip, the long tentacle, or both to get really huge? Let me give you the long version of why I'm asking about two.
We had a pair of black and white percs, about 1 1/2 inches long, (give or take), and two days after putting them in the tank our yellow tang had killed them. So, we thought maybe if we had an anemone in there, and they hosted in it, then they would have a safe place to stay. So, we put the tang in another tank while we stock the other one back up. Give everything some time to get themselves established, then re-introduce the tang and make her start all over get herself established. And during that time, a pair of clowns may have foung their safe spot. We're not interested in getting two pairs of clowns, just the one. But after getting the bubble tip and realizing how fascintating and beautiful these creatures are, we thought maybe two. And/or, would the bubble tip be big enough for both clowns to host in it once they are grown, and be safe in it?
We had a pair of black and white percs, about 1 1/2 inches long, (give or take), and two days after putting them in the tank our yellow tang had killed them. So, we thought maybe if we had an anemone in there, and they hosted in it, then they would have a safe place to stay. So, we put the tang in another tank while we stock the other one back up. Give everything some time to get themselves established, then re-introduce the tang and make her start all over get herself established. And during that time, a pair of clowns may have foung their safe spot. We're not interested in getting two pairs of clowns, just the one. But after getting the bubble tip and realizing how fascintating and beautiful these creatures are, we thought maybe two. And/or, would the bubble tip be big enough for both clowns to host in it once they are grown, and be safe in it?
bureau13
New member
Calfo doesn't think you should have anemones in a coral tank at all, from what I've read.
Bottom line, there are issues that you can and will have with multiple anemone species, but if you have the room and you're willing to accept those issues and deal with them, you can do it successfully.
jds
Bottom line, there are issues that you can and will have with multiple anemone species, but if you have the room and you're willing to accept those issues and deal with them, you can do it successfully.
jds
redvipe2010
In Memoriam
I agree with the room, but don't agree with a 75 gallon being large enough for two.
As far as the corals, I wouldn't put an anemone in a tank that has a bunch of corals. There are good reasons for Calfo's beliefs.
Bottom line, this person needs to be aware of the issues.
And yes, I agree it has been done successfully, but not always.
As far as the corals, I wouldn't put an anemone in a tank that has a bunch of corals. There are good reasons for Calfo's beliefs.
Bottom line, this person needs to be aware of the issues.
And yes, I agree it has been done successfully, but not always.
redvipe2010
In Memoriam
In my opinion yes.
davocean
Active member
The deal is that certain corals may release stuff that may affect nems.
Also, because nems can wander if they aren't getting what they need as far as light/flow they could harm/sting corals.
I've had both my sebae(H. Crispa) and LTA(macrodactyla doreensis) in a 90 for 5 yrs now w/ no real problems, other than sign of stress to corals if they touched which would quickly go away after seperating them.
This IMO can be a PITA as the nems grow and you start to run out of room for placing corals.
My sebae is 22" and LTA is 20", add the 5" buffer zone and that's alot of room taken up in your tank.
Even now that I upped to a 180 I feel limited on coral placement, but oh well, I LOVE my nems and have commited to keeping them.
So I'll never have that sps crammed potential TOTM, oh well, over it!LOL
It can be done, and some stay smaller than others, but know that you're going to have a nem tank more than a sps or coral tank.
Also, because nems can wander if they aren't getting what they need as far as light/flow they could harm/sting corals.
I've had both my sebae(H. Crispa) and LTA(macrodactyla doreensis) in a 90 for 5 yrs now w/ no real problems, other than sign of stress to corals if they touched which would quickly go away after seperating them.
This IMO can be a PITA as the nems grow and you start to run out of room for placing corals.
My sebae is 22" and LTA is 20", add the 5" buffer zone and that's alot of room taken up in your tank.
Even now that I upped to a 180 I feel limited on coral placement, but oh well, I LOVE my nems and have commited to keeping them.
So I'll never have that sps crammed potential TOTM, oh well, over it!LOL
It can be done, and some stay smaller than others, but know that you're going to have a nem tank more than a sps or coral tank.
redvipe2010
In Memoriam
I recommend starting out with a BTA. You have only been in this hobby since Oct, correct? There is a lot to learn yet.
Rod, I've seen your set up several times, its absolutely gorgeous! Your anemones are perfectly healthy.
However, you have a much bigger set up and years of experience.
Rod, I've seen your set up several times, its absolutely gorgeous! Your anemones are perfectly healthy.
However, you have a much bigger set up and years of experience.
I started comparing my tank to your pics, and then thought I saw you had a 180 tank. Is that right? That's wayyyy more than what I've got. lol And that long tentacle is beautiful. Humongous!!.....but beautiful. lol I don't know if I'd have room for something like that or not unless it climbed up the glass and stayed there! lol
And yes it's true, we've only been doing saltwater since October, and we know there's lots to learn. We did freshwater for 12 years, and as simple as it was compared to saltwater, we were still learning something all the time, up until we tore down the tanks. That's why, when we first heard about reefcentral, the first thing we did was to register and start educating ourselves. We had been on a more or less freshwater site for a few years, and we know how informative and helpful the site and members can be. I had read a thread in here somewhere, that someone was complimenting how helpful the members were here. That no matter howwwww many times someone asks the same question, ammonia too high, cycling, etc., knowing there are stickys that explains all of those, that they will always get a polite, courteous, respectful, and honest answer. And I have to whole heartedly agree. I think everyone here should give themselves a pat on the back for all they do here.
Anyway, I guess I just strayed off the subject a little. lol As far as running out of room for corals, we have the 75 gallon set up mainly for an eel and lionfish. Although we may opt for a puffer instead of a lionfish. Nonetheless, we try to keep both tanks water parameters as close to each other as we can for water changes. We do have a few shrooms and a small brain in the 75, so we may possibly be able to move some corals to the 75 if needed.
And yes it's true, we've only been doing saltwater since October, and we know there's lots to learn. We did freshwater for 12 years, and as simple as it was compared to saltwater, we were still learning something all the time, up until we tore down the tanks. That's why, when we first heard about reefcentral, the first thing we did was to register and start educating ourselves. We had been on a more or less freshwater site for a few years, and we know how informative and helpful the site and members can be. I had read a thread in here somewhere, that someone was complimenting how helpful the members were here. That no matter howwwww many times someone asks the same question, ammonia too high, cycling, etc., knowing there are stickys that explains all of those, that they will always get a polite, courteous, respectful, and honest answer. And I have to whole heartedly agree. I think everyone here should give themselves a pat on the back for all they do here.
Anyway, I guess I just strayed off the subject a little. lol As far as running out of room for corals, we have the 75 gallon set up mainly for an eel and lionfish. Although we may opt for a puffer instead of a lionfish. Nonetheless, we try to keep both tanks water parameters as close to each other as we can for water changes. We do have a few shrooms and a small brain in the 75, so we may possibly be able to move some corals to the 75 if needed.
davocean
Active member
Yeah, they started in a 90.
Had I known!(b4 RC)
I've thought many times about getting rid of one, but couldn't decide which one.(like which kid do you get rid of!)
Funny thing is my 180 really doesn't seem twice as big.
I just did the swap 3 weeks ago, and already look at it and think "400g would have been nice"!LOL
And yeah, I've learned more from this site in the last couple yrs than all my years of trial and error.
I owe my success to alot of cool people here, and try my best to pass that along.
This is the best karma cycling hobby I've ever experianced!
Had I known!(b4 RC)
I've thought many times about getting rid of one, but couldn't decide which one.(like which kid do you get rid of!)
Funny thing is my 180 really doesn't seem twice as big.
I just did the swap 3 weeks ago, and already look at it and think "400g would have been nice"!LOL
And yeah, I've learned more from this site in the last couple yrs than all my years of trial and error.
I owe my success to alot of cool people here, and try my best to pass that along.
This is the best karma cycling hobby I've ever experianced!
We are planning a possible move within the next year or so and have already thought of a 120 gallon when we move. Have it ready when we move and just upgrade each tank as we move. LOL But now we're thinking more along the lines of 180 or better! LOLOL This is one hobby that's very addictive! But that's the way it's always been, even with the freshwater, so we're kinda used to it.
Yeah, we all can learn alot if we just take the time to research here before we jump. Of course we still make mistakes, but if we learn from it, and pass it along, the knowledge can be a useful tool for someone else.
Thanks for the replies and the help gang!
Yeah, we all can learn alot if we just take the time to research here before we jump. Of course we still make mistakes, but if we learn from it, and pass it along, the knowledge can be a useful tool for someone else.
Thanks for the replies and the help gang!
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