Relative danger to other fish in the tank?

[Jacob D]

Hi all. I don't think I've ever posted in this forum. In the years I've been in the hobby I have never kept any clownfish, but I'm planning to change that soon and will add a pair of perc's or ocellaris.

I was wondering what the relative danger to the other fish in my tank would be if I decided to add an anemone? My current tank is fairly large... approx 8'x3' foot print. I run about 40x turnover in it which is something like 14,000 gph IIRC, and MH lighting. The tank has been running a couple of years and is mostly stocked with fish right now.

I have been thinking about trying an H. magnifica. I can essentially dedicate the right half of my tank to it (if it stays there). I realize they're a difficult species. My bigger concern is the danger to other fish in my tank. How common is it for a fish such as an angelfish or wrasse to get fatally stung? Relative to a haddoni how dangerous are they?

 

[greech]

I'm sure experiences vary but I feel that you should be prepared to lose livestock with any anemone (hosting or not).

 

[Jacob D]

I can accept some coral losses but I can't say the same for my fish. I kept a RBTA for about a year until it was just huge. In that time I never lost a fish to it but I have always thought that some anemones were considered more of a danger than others?

 

[kookie_guy]

In the 3 or so years I've owned my RBTA, I've never had a problem with fish getting stung. Was in a 29G biocube for 2 years, and my 65G tall for 1 year now. Only issue I've ever had was with my cleaner shrimp. I'm pretty sure the clowns got a hold of him and pulled him in, but I can't prove it, lol. Next day I just saw it pooping out the shell, lol.

Ideally, you wanna add it first, let it settle, and then place other corals far enough away that it won't be an issue. If you can't do that, then be ready for the coral battles as the anemone moves around.

 

[Jasanden]

My understanding is that the H.mag is only second to the haddoni carpet for its ability to kill its tankmates. I just recently lost a regal angel to my H. mag I believe she was spooked into it.. This really upset me as I am fish person first. But I new this when I got my H.Mag. You have a large tank than I. This extra space should help out. But fish are curious and become more bold with time. There is always a chance.

 

[Jacob D]

Jasaden that's what I'm gathering after doing a little more reading. I guess I will either go with another rose, or maybe just forget the nem and see if they'll take to a toadstool or other one of my softies.

Sorry to hear about your Regal, that's the sort of thing I'm worried about.