Long Tentacle Anemone - Fish Eater?

[LobsterOfJustice]

Like the title says - LFS has a big one at a good price, I've only had BTAs before. Do I have to worry about an LTA eating fish?

 

[brycerb]

Mine hasn't, yet.

 

[rssjsb]

I think they're about the same as a BTA in terms of risk to your fish.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

re: "long tentacle anemone"

re: "long tentacle anemone"

what species?

 

[clowns101]

Macrodactyla doreensis

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Yeah, I think its a Macrodactyla doreensis.

Looks like this, if I remember correctly it has a pink foot.

 

[syrinx]

The show sized one I have at home has had every opportunity to eat fish- the sixline and bi color blenny pair often rest on its disc. They can and will eat fish- but they don`t seem very likely to if kept well. I would hazard a guess that most fish consumed by a long tent would have died anyway. I think the poster relating risk to a BTA was right on.

 

[COreefer]

I had a lineatus fairy wrasse swim close to a LTA and get captured by the anemone. I was able to pry the fish out but it did not make it.

 

[davocean]

They don't have quite the rep as say a carpet for eating fish.
A really stupid or weak fish maybe, but not enough that it would keep me from having them.
I've had LTAs (M.doreensis)for years, don't think I ever lost a fish to them.
My sebae (crispa)was another story...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I've had LTAs (M.doreensis)for years, don't think I ever lost a fish to them.
My sebae (crispa)was another story...

ditto.

That's why it's important to know exactly what species of LTA we're talking about here.

 

[davocean]

Yeah, and I should point out that one, my crispa was ginourmas, and two, all 3 fish I lost were baby blond naso's, who apparently love to hide in big tentacly objects on intro...

 

[OrionN]

They can and do eat fish not any where as much as Gigantea or Haddoni.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Ugh I would love this anemone but I'm gonna kill myself if it eats one my my expensive fish. Guess I'll pass.

 

[Roadkillstewie]

simply put, there is a risk with any anemone.. probably your best bet... is to research regional/local of the fish, attempt to determine if you're existing fish might have knowledge of anemones and what kind might be found in the areas they live.

 

[Antonais1391]

go for it sounds like there as dangerous as a bta

 

[davocean]

I would not hesitate to add one, chances are slim that any existing fish would be harmed.

 

[JPF]

LFS recently had one dropped off by a customer. Customer said it ate every fish in his tank. I touched it and it was much stickier than a normal LTA. Not nearly as sticky as a carpet but far stickier than any other I have touched.

My LTA has been in my system for about a year and hasnt eaten any of my fish. On occasion my banded coral shrimp has walked across the LTA to steal mysis. He dances a bit as if uncomfortable but survives.

In short try one. I would bet it works out well. Hope this helps.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

If your fish are healthy it shouldn't be problem,my lta is approximatly 12'' and is very sticky.I haven't lost a fish because of it.