Pink Tip Haitian Question

[jmihalko]

I recently pickedup a Pink Tip Haitian anemone (about a month ago) and it is doing very well in the tank. I was looking at getting a "cleaner pack" of inverts that contain the following:

Scarlet Reef Hermits
Dwarf Blue Leg Hermits
Astraea Turbo Snails
Nassarius Snails
Cerith Snails
Peppermint Shrimp
Emerald Crab

But the info on the pack mentioned that some of the inverts may not play nice with certain other inverts. When I checked on the Pink Tip Haitian info it stated that it should not be put with Red-Legged Hermits because they are the anemone's natural predator. I have never read this anywhere else and just wanted to check and see if anyone had any issues with this combination?

On the plus side, one of my clowns has hosted which I have also read is rare. It took it about 3.5 weeks to do it, but now it won't stay out of it :love1:

Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

And now our other clown decided to join in too!!

 

[ocellaris123]

I have never owned a condylactus long term, but I have been keeping hosting anemones for a while now, and have never had any problems with smaller hermit crabs.

 

[sjwitt]

I have a condy too and yes, hermit crabs don't play nice. I too read that it was limited to red-legged hermits but my blue-legged hermits hunted it. I found tentacles floating on the bottom nearly every day. Removed ALL hermits and no more problems since. Also, your condy is bleached. It will most likely recover (pretty hardy nemmies) ... just target feed it because it can't process light without zooxanthellae, which it has none at this point. Feed it the usual stuff, very small pieces of clam or scallop or shrimp. Good luck.

 

[jmihalko]

sjwitt, thanks for the info, I will hold off on the hermits. Any recommendations for some other cleaners you have had luck with?

It seems like almost all of the condy's I see are that white, are there different varieties that are just lighter? It seems pretty healthy and I have been target feeding it shrimp about twice a week (same frozen food I feed the fish). I have a 60 gal (36"w x 18"d x 24"h) with 4 T5 HO (39w) - 2 10k & 2 Actinic. I thought that would be plenty of light for the anemone though.

Thanks.

 

[sjwitt]

Yes, I have sally lightfoot, banded coral shrimp, 3 peppermint shrimp, 2 skunk shrimp, and a purple reef lobster they're all fine.

I know that the condys we see are white and seem healthy but you'll see over time that he'll darken up and will probably turn a tan color eventually. Glad to hear he's healthy and eating. He should be pretty happy in your tank; I don't think they're as light hoggish as most nennies.

BTW, can't believe it's hosting clowns. They usually don't so yay for you!

 

[jmihalko]

Thanks for the info, I did find some other cleaner packs that are crab free. I'll check out what they have and the info you gave me and I am sure I can come up with a mix that will keep my tank clean and the anemone safe.

It is pretty cool seeing the clowns in the anemone, although I have been reading some horror stories about clowns (even after hosting) being eaten after a while, hopefully that won't happen though!

 

[sjwitt]

Keep in mind the only 'crabs' you need to worry about are the hermits. My Sally Lightfoot crab has never bothered my Condy. The shrimp are actually kind of 'hosting' in it... if you call running over and stealing its food 'hosting.' LOL. I think its just waiting for an opportune moment for a fresh shrimp dinner... we'll see. Hopefully your clowns do well with it. I've read that they (Condys) 'will' occasionally host so it seems it's possible. Fingers crossed for you.