Question about flower anemones

[HowardCath]

I'm thinking about adding 2 or 3 flower anemones (Epicystis crucifer) to the Reeftopia group buy, but I'd like to be better prepared. I have 2 small sand-sifting gobies (a diamond and a fuse). Do you think the fish would be likely to avoid the anemones if placed in the sand? Would it be safer for the gobies if I could get the anemones to attach to a rock? If yes, would the same methods as described for mushrooms apply to the flower anemones (e.g., let attach to rubble in a glass and then glue; or rubber band; or plastic toothpick spear and glue)?

Thanks for any other advice you might have about these as well.

 

[gflat65]

It's been a while since I had a flower anemone, but I'm pretty sure that like GBTA's and RBTA's, they will walk around until they are happy with a spot. They weren't as picky, though (found a spot and stayed there fairly quickly). I think that if you lightly tuck them into a small crevice, they will attach pretty quickly. I had one that was attached to the LFS' tank bottom (through several inches of sand), so they will borrow the foot down a little for a hard surface if needed. I never had any issues out of mine. After the move, I added some peppermint shrimp to the 120 and thye devoured every scrap of flower anemone... I wasn't feeding, so they had no other source. The intention was for tulips, Aips, and majano's to be targeted (they got those, too).

I don't think there is too much concern for a sandsifter to be eaten by one. They (flower anemones) are really sticky, but fish usually stay clear. I'd worry about mandarins and scooters. Mine liked to sleep swim (and had fond places like the entrance to an uncovered powerhead-he was fine afterward...).

 

[Abiathar]

Most likely, the anemone will move from where you place it to a place it likes best, then it will stay put. I have one in my 3gal that I placed on the sand initially and he since moved to the underside of one of the rocks where when inflated he is right in the middle of the tank. My 2 sexy shrimp hang out around it and the clown goby never goes near. More than likely the fish will avoid it, but I would watch for a couple weeks just to make sure.

Steve

 

[mamagoose45]

Howard, I had one in my nano and it refused to pick a spot and stay put. He went back in a small cave and was never to be seen again...
I thought it would be super cool for my sexy shrimp, but they wanted nothing to do with it...

 

[HowardCath]

Thanks so much everyone! Maybe the "wedding veil" material method would work to let me choose the spot for attachment. I could get this lacy material and then either rubber band it to a rock or stake it down on the sand bed where I wanted them with minimal trauma to the animal. I was hoping to do this with some loose ricordia also. Think this may work?

 

[Pickupman66]

lise stated above. anems will walk around till they are happy. if you place it in a place and make is stay there, then it truly ownt be happy and your success rate for keping may be bad.

I had one of these a while back. very very pretty. also refered to as a rock anem. from my experience, it was very rock oriented. I placed on the sand and it walked up my rocks. had it for about 2 years tthen mysteriously lost it.

 

[HowardCath]

I finally decided just to try my beginners luck with the ricordea. Seems I might be more likely to succeed in making them bend to my own will! Hopefully they'll stay where I put them. I let them attach to rubble and then glue that.

 

[TitansFan]

I have had mine for almost 2 years. It has pretty much stayed where I put it. It shed its mucus skin by the time I got home with it. I put its what almost seemed to be a burying "root" into the sand, there under a rock overhang. It has been easy to care for ever since.

 

[HowardCath]

Wow! That's pretty. They didn't seem that beautiful in the online pics I saw. That IS a flower or rock anemone, right? I may reconsider in the future.

 

[TitansFan]

Oops sorry guess we maybe speaking of 2 different types of anemones. Well for what it is worth mine anemone never has moved on me and might work for you.

http://www.aquacon.com/anemone.html

 

[gflat65]

Yeah, that's a tube anemone. They are nice and colorful. Have you ever lost any small fish to it?

 

[TitansFan]

No sir Gary. I have never lost a fish to it. The place it lives is not very traveled by my fish. They also seem to show it respect and stay away.