Removing anemone from glass of tank safely

[Brokeone]

I am upgrading my tank from a 55 gallon to a 75 gallon, and I am in the process of switching the tanks right now, my anemone has been attched to the glass on the back of my tank for over a year, any suggestions on how to remove him safely for transfer?

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

[saltydude]

I once used a powerhead to get one off. Make sure not to have a crazy amount of flow on it and deffinately do not direct the flow in its mouth. Try to rig a small powerhed to flow towards the base and give it some time. He will become irritated by it an release or move. Keep me posted.

 

[Anemone]

Thumbnail.

Scrape the non-flesh side of your thumbnail up the glass and slowly peel back the anemone's foot. Once you get about 1/2" separated from the glass, the rest comes off pretty easily. It's easy to do and won't harm the anemone.

Kevin

 

[Amphiprion]

^^Works most of the time for me. Thin plastic cards can work for very adhesive species.

 

[Danger731]

power head first

 

[Galilean]

I agree with "Anemone". Your own fingers are the best tool because this way you can feel exactly how much force you are applying. If you can see the foot you can also see that it is divided into many sections. There will be little bumps on the outer edge with radial markings pointing to them. Each "tab" can be activated by pushing it lightly causing the anemone to release that part of its foot. You can just work your way around pushing each "tab" in sequence. I learned this method of quickly and safely removing anemones from the glass when I worked at an LFS. You can get an anemone up this way in less than a minute (usually ten seconds). It's harder if you can't see the underside of the foot to identify the tabs, but it can still be done by touch. Remember to be very gentle. It takes less force to rip the anemone than is does to break the foot suction so forcible removal is physcally impossible. You can only use some method of badgering or irritating the anemone into choosing to let go. Lightly touching the base is the least distructive means of irritation.

http://web.nhm.ku.edu/tol/glossary/pedaldisk.html
(pictures to show what I mean by tabs)

 

[XMASTER]

You could ice cubes too works well for me

 

[Leopard Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9229639#post9229639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by XMASTER
You could ice cubes too works well for me

I did that too to move my old purple lta several times, coupled with a power head.

Or you could use a blow dryer. Direct the heat on the outside glass under the anemone's foot. It should start moving.

 

[saltydude]

The only problem with using your finger or a card is that you could easily hurt his foot which would lead to more problems. try the powerhead and maybe the ice cube deal. I tried the ice cube before and it didnt work for me. Give it a shot and see what happens.

 

[Slakker]

The powerhead can cause just as much damage just as easily.

 

[saltydude]

You are probally right but I can only go by what worked for me. It may be just the opposite for him, I don't know. Whatever he decides to do I hope it turns out alright.