Mini Maxi Carpet Anemone, worth the risk?

[serbusfish]

I am tempted to buy a Mini Carpet Anemone as the consensus is they are quite easy to care for, but im concerned about the possibility of one eating my fish (my current stock list is in my sig) and also about the possibility of it getting sucked into a powerhead.

Someone said I should run moonlights if I have an anemone so fish dont accidentally bump into it at night, is this true? And I guess I could use pantyhose to cover the powerheads?

 

[journeyman]

I have one. It's been stationary for 2 years. These things don't move once you put them in, do no usual worries about them wondering into the power heads.

I haven't had any issues with it eating fish. They don't grow that big, so a fish would be a really big meal for it.

I have had it sting and grab my arm sometimes when I accidentally touch it. But it's pretty flat against the rock so fish can pretty much avoid it.

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[ca1ore]

I had minis for years - they never ate any fish. It's the bigger ones, haddoni mainly, that's the fish eater.

 

[serbusfish]

That is reassuringly, but there is definitely youtube footage of them eating fish (although that doesnt mean they caught and killed the fish). This is the one im looking at:

 

[Scott07]

Ive had a few of these with no serious issues. For a while I had one in my green spotted puffer tank and that's where the only incident occurred. I scared the puffer mag floating, and he tweaked out, accidentally touched the anemone, and it did get a good hold on him and start to wrap him up. I think something about touching the anemone paralyzed him, and he was scarcely even able to struggle against it. Needless to say I frantically ripped the light and top off the tank and rescued him (he was fine and back to normal after an hour or two). That said, I don't think he would have ever ended up in that position if I hadn't scared him with the mag float.

I have 2 in my mixed reef, going on about a year now, and zero issues or concerns. As far as risky additions go in this hobby, id rank these guys pretty low. I would have no concerns at all about adding more.

 

[BFG]

Try not to use your hand touching them . Wear gloves or something , I had stomach upset everytime I touch them .

 

[horwitzs]

I've only had one before but my experience was the same as the others have said... it never moved and never ate any fish. It was in a biocube 29 so the fish couldn't really avoid being around it.

 

[serbusfish]

Ok cheers for the advice guys, I have order the nem, should be with me Thursday.

Should I be running moonlighting at night with a nem? Just so fish can see it and dont accidentally swim into it?

 

[ACohen999]

Stay away!

Stay away!

Did lots of research before buying my mini max and consensus seemed to be they wont harm fish... mine was a nightmare. I came home to find my very fat and healthy flame angelfish headfirst in the nem. Pulled him out by the tail and he was still alive but died overnight. Also very hard to get out... had to break off half of the rock as he was too well attached. They are a cool little creature but not worth the risk if you care about your fish!

 

[TJ JIANG]

Good luck

Good luck

Exactly my experience! I encountered this thread few weeks ago and thought it was reef safe until it ate my little twin spot goby! I think whoever is viewing this thread should be aware of the possibilities of how dangerous these anemones could be. Not blaming the posts that are above me, just haven't done enough research by myself.

Did lots of research before buying my mini max and consensus seemed to be they wont harm fish... mine was a nightmare. I came home to find my very fat and healthy flame angelfish headfirst in the nem. Pulled him out by the tail and he was still alive but died overnight. Also very hard to get out... had to break off half of the rock as he was too well attached. They are a cool little creature but not worth the risk if you care about your fish!

 

[NYCBOB]

i had two for many years, and never lost a single fish. they are very sticky though, so any fish caught on it wouldnt be able to swim away.