Picassos (ID & Advice)

bobbravo2

Reef Addict
Howdy RC Clown Nuts :-)

I'm looking at buying this pair from the LFS. According to the store, they are a mated pair of Ultra Premium Picassos. Does that look right? I want to make sure, as the LFS is asking $200/pair.

Also, I'm planning on adding them to my 30 Gal JBJ RL once it's finished cycling. Is that going to be enough space for them to be happy?

Finally, I'd love to have them host in a nem. I've been doing some reading, and Sebae nems are recommended for them? I've cared for nems in the past, but I'd like to start off with an "easier" one if possible. My eye likes the RBTA.

Finally, here they are
clowns2.jpg

clowns3.jpg
 
They're beautiful. It depends on if you think they're worth it. Nothing else matters.
 
Nice clowns! The only one that can say they're worth it is you. If you feel it's worth it, go for it. Me personally, I like to wait a week or few, and if I'm still thinking about something, then I get it. Gives me time to let it "wear off" if I really don't want it or the work involved with it. But, if you wait that long, someone else may snag them. Choice is up to you, they are nice clowns. :)

As for an anemone, if it was mine, I'd think a H.Malu would be a nice nem for a 30 gallon. It would stay relatively small (8" range plus or minus), and stay in the sand. Me personally, BTA move too much, and 30 gallons is pretty small for anything else that's a hosting nem, depending on what else is in there. If it's pretty empty, then there's a few other options, if you keep feeding to a minimum.

How about a FTS of your tank? :)
 
Nice clowns! The only one that can say they're worth it is you. If you feel it's worth it, go for it. Me personally, I like to wait a week or few, and if I'm still thinking about something, then I get it. Gives me time to let it "wear off" if I really don't want it or the work involved with it. But, if you wait that long, someone else may snag them. Choice is up to you, they are nice clowns.
Very good advice! I've already put a deposit on them, so they are "mine," but I'm still waiting on the tank to cycle, so the LFS is holding them for 7-14 days for me. I'm sure I could get a refund (or at least store credit), as they're in the main display tank, if I lose interest in them.
How about a FTS of your tank? :)

Sure! And an updated one of the pair to boot!
clowns4.jpg

fts1.jpg
 
So do you have other tanks to swap things to and from? Only reason I ask, is, for most new tanks, people can have trouble when adding more sensitive things like anemones to a new tank. General thinking, most tanks need 6 months+ to go through all the cycles, even though it may sustain a clown, it may not be ready for a nem. If you are experienced, and understand the challenge, (looks like you are), you can break this rule. :)


Nice layout in the tank! A malu in the sand up against the rocks would really look nice, and still leave you room to add corals to the rock work. Malu can still be a tough one to acclimate. Best of luck to you, post some pics when you pull the trigger! You've got a great looking pallet to start with.
 
So do you have other tanks to swap things to and from? Only reason I ask, is, for most new tanks, people can have trouble when adding more sensitive things like anemones to a new tank. General thinking, most tanks need 6 months+ to go through all the cycles, even though it may sustain a clown, it may not be ready for a nem. If you are experienced, and understand the challenge, (looks like you are), you can break this rule. :)


Nice layout in the tank! A malu in the sand up against the rocks would really look nice, and still leave you room to add corals to the rock work. Malu can still be a tough one to acclimate. Best of luck to you, post some pics when you pull the trigger! You've got a great looking pallet to start with.


Thanks! I may wait that long to pull the trigger on a 'nem. In any case, I'll be using a tank bred anemone, as they're a lot more resilient and used to living in a tank, vs. trying to acclimate a wild caught specimen.

My LFS has a bunch of RBTA's in stock, and I like the idea of being able to trade/sell them to help pay for the hobby.
 
So do you have other tanks to swap things to and from? Only reason I ask, is, for most new tanks, people can have trouble when adding more sensitive things like anemones to a new tank. General thinking, most tanks need 6 months+ to go through all the cycles, even though it may sustain a clown, it may not be ready for a nem. If you are experienced, and understand the challenge, (looks like you are), you can break this rule. :)

Missed the first part of your post. I've got this one tank, so I'll stick to easier nems if/when I do pull the trigger. I would hate to have a picky nem that died because it couldn't find a spot for it to be happy in my tank!
 
So do you have other tanks to swap things to and from? Only reason I ask, is, for most new tanks, people can have trouble when adding more sensitive things like anemones to a new tank. General thinking, most tanks need 6 months+ to go through all the cycles, even though it may sustain a clown, it may not be ready for a nem. If you are experienced, and understand the challenge, (looks like you are), you can break this rule. :)


Nice layout in the tank! A malu in the sand up against the rocks would really look nice, and still leave you room to add corals to the rock work. Malu can still be a tough one to acclimate. Best of luck to you, post some pics when you pull the trigger! You've got a great looking pallet to start with.

So.. I've been researching more about different nems, and it looks like RBTA
will grow like crazy, and is difficult to contain. H. Malu looks like a more appropriate nem, based on the fact that it should stay in the sand. What do you think?
 
H. Malus and H.Crispa are somewhat pickier species. If I were you I would start off with a long tentacle anmeone or bubble tip Anmeone.

The long tentacle anemones do get big but they usually stay in the stand. And bubble tip anmeone do move around a lot but is a hardy species of anemeones.
 
Here is a pictire of my rainbow BTA. I put it in that spot and it haven't moved snise. I lve had it about 1 month now and my clowns love it.
 

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$200 is a great deal for a nice pair. To me they are not premium but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I would grab them if I were you. The only thing that would steer me away is deformity. Usually the front half of the body is deform or imperfect like underbite or hump etc. Good luck love the tank setup
 
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