Moving/Transporting Anemones....Please help

[demariners]

I currently have 2 Rose Tip Anemones in my tank. I just got a new tank I am trying to get them into the new tank. They are currently attached to a large piece of rock that I do not want to place in the new tank. What are some of my options in moving them to the new tank without killing them. Thanks for any help.

 

[D-Nak]

I've had luck removing a rock and chipping out the anemone -- literally taking a chisel and hammer and breaking the rock around the nem. Sounds cruel, but it's quicker (only took a couple of minutes) and less painful than trying to pry or pull them off the rock. BTAs like to wedge themselves deep inside a crevice and you can easier tear their foot trying to get them out.

 

[Baboo11]

Moving a powerhead to change their exposure to flow will usually make them move on their own...you have to watch for your opportunity to nab them while on the move!

 

[Tethered_Limbs]

just take the rock with, or just move the rock till it walks off, or chisel

 

[fishhead79]

Moving a powerhead to change their exposure to flow will usually make them move on their own...you have to watch for your opportunity to nab them while on the move!

+1 just not too much flow. Shading them out also works as well.

 

[BongoSolo3]

I never had luck with the powerhead method.

Someone told me to try ice cubes at the nem's foot, which also didn't work.

Hammer and a chisel are my standard way of doing this

 

[demariners]

Looks like the Hammer and Chisel method is what I will go with. Silly question, but I assume this must be done outside the water. How long can I have the anemone outside the water while I chisel? Do you usually just chisel around him and should be good to go? Thank you.

 

[Tethered_Limbs]

chisel away enough to get access to the foot to tickle it on, itll be fine out of water for a few minutes, dont dilly dally tho

 

[demariners]

What do you mean by tickle it on?

 

[D-Nak]

I've tried the powerhead method, the ice method, and the talk to the nem via ESP method and none worked.

My RBTA was attached to Pukani rock. If you're familiar with it, you know that it's quite porous. I couple hard whacks with the hammer and chisel and the rock literally shattered and I could pull out the nem. Took about two minutes.

I've seen photos of anemones exposed to the air at low tide. Because of this, I don't think it's harmful to remove the nem from the water for a few minutes. All other methods rely on stressing the anemone to move, I prefer the quick and dirty approach.

 

[Tethered_Limbs]

tickle it off* tickle its foot, then if it starts to retract you can very carefully peel it off like gum under a table

 

[jmadison]

I have used(and usually use) the splitting of the rock method, just be careful that if/when the rock splits that the nem isn't attatched to the two newly formed halves and you tear its foot. Otherwise its pretty simple to do.

 

[demariners]

So I attempted to "tickle" him off the rock he is currently on but he is not moving. So I guess I am going to just break the rock with a chisel and attempt to keep him on the existing rock with a smaller piece? What do you think?

 

[poorguy]

Moving a powerhead to change their exposure to flow will usually make them move on their own...you have to watch for your opportunity to nab them while on the move!

This method worked for me twice. Good luck!!

 

[demariners]

Well this may be a stupid question but how do you know when they are moving since they move so slow?

 

[brian762]

Well this may be a stupid question but how do you know when they are moving since they move so slow?

Their foot looks swollen.

 

[demariners]

GOOD NEWS.....Used the chisel method to success! Was able to get the anenome onto a SMALL rock and then he moved to the large one! Thanks everybody for your help!

 

[poorguy]

Congratulation

 

[windyridge]

You can try this next time. If the rock isn't too heavy you can hold it upside down near the water and let him fall off as he tries to reach the water. It takes a few minutes tho', your arm may get tired. I have tried flow, ice cube etc, none worked. This did work.