should i get a bubble tip Anemone?

[Fish Keeper82]

I have a a 125 gallon tank with 1 Blue tang, 2 ocellaris clownfish, 1 green chromis, 1 lawnmower blenny, 1 firefish and 1 cleaner shrimp. As far as corals there are some mushrooms, leathers, zoas, candy cane and acan.

I've been skidding of getting an anemone because I'd hate to loose a fish or shrimp to it. But the clowns need a home , so Im thinking about getting a bubble tip since these are said to have the least sting to fish( that are not clowns of course).

Any experiences with these BTA?
Am i just being way too cautious?
Do these really have less effect on other fish?

 

[Bent]

I wouldn't.

My Osci didn't look twice at mine. It split like 4 times and I'm considering turning the big one in because it decided to start moving the other day and it is annoying me to no end.

 

[thegrun]

What type of lighting do you have? The clowns are fine without an anemone, so it comes down to personal choice assuming your lights are sufficient.

 

[Sapelo]

Clowns are fine without a nem so I don't think that should be your deciding factor.
I've never had my BTA bother anything, fish or otherwise.
I'll admit, I like having a nem so I have one. Having said that, they are demanding of good lighting, water quality and tank maintenance.
I think it's more a question of whether you want the responsibility of one, not if your clowns need it.
Clowns will accept being hosted by other things -- duncans, frogspawn, hammers....

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Clowns are fine without a nem so I don't think that should be your deciding factor.
I've never had my BTA bother anything, fish or otherwise.
I'll admit, I like having a nem so I have one. Having said that, they are demanding of good lighting, water quality and tank maintenance.
I think it's more a question of whether you want the responsibility of one, not if your clowns need it.
Clowns will accept being hosted by other things -- duncans, frogspawn, hammers....

You forgot power heads, glass scrapper, return hose and of course tank corners. :beer:

 

[jusn317]

As stated earlier, assuming you have proper lighting and stable enough tank for a BTA it comes down preference. My 8 year old pair of clowns quickly took to a BTA first time I introduced one, and every time I added one after that. Biggest issue you'll likely have is the BTA splitting and possibly moving, although usually they'll stay in one area once they settle. Only reason I got rid of mine was they were getting too large and encroaching on my SPS, so replaced BTAs and got nice purple LTA that stays on sand bed. Unfortunately my clowns haven't taken to it yet but still hoping.

 

[ddanis60]

I added one just because i like the way they look. its smaller and my clowns haven't taken to it yet, but it provides some movement and color to my somewhat newer tank.

 

[jrp1588]

As previously stated, clowns don't need anemones, though they certainly do like them. I've always found BTA's to be very easy to keep. If your system can support stoney coral, it can support BTA's.

 

[Fish Keeper82]

My lighting is more than sufficient and water parameters couldnt be better and i won't waste anyone's time with that.....

My issue is both clownfish have been hanging around the overflow at night. That is no problem, I've got it covered with a sheet of acrylic and not even snails can get in. They have been taking residence here for months. Some time ago as well my green chromis decided he likes the over flow as well but only during day time. So my clown has been niped on the fins from time to time. Nothing serious always grows back and all. My thought is getting them a nem might make them move out and resove the quarrel.
it took me months to find out how my clown was getting nipped and it was just recently i happen to observe it after months of looking for it.

I like both my clowns just got them about 6 months ago, and my green chromis I've had for 8 years.The nipping is not bad enough to even make the clown skiddish around the chromis and is ofter swimming next to each other peacefully.So getting rid of one i dont see a need for either.

 

[Bent]

What will likely happen is you will get the BTA and the clowns won't go near it.

Can you house a H. Mag? That is their natural host.

 

[Fish Keeper82]

What will likely happen is you will get the BTA and the clowns won't go near it.

Can you house a H. Mag? That is their natural host.

Reason i was going for the BTA is its less aggressive from what ive read. id be :headwalls: if it ate anything in my tank.

 

[Bent]

I wouldn't worry about it dude. Not worth the headache unless you just want one, which is a different ball of wax.

I think I read somewhere that the rate that a BTA will host a Osci clown is only 1 in 5. Can't remember where I read that at.

 

[Fish Keeper82]

I wouldn't worry about it dude. Not worth the headache unless you just want one, which is a different ball of wax.

I think I read somewhere that the rate that a BTA will host a Osci clown is only 1 in 5. Can't remember where I read that at.

Guess ill pass on it do now.

 

[hotelbravo]

i would get one i love anemones personally. my current clown pair (1 percula and 1 ocellaris) both went straight into my BTA within moments of entering the tank. they have hardly left in 8 months. i did however have quite a few clowns before them that did not go into the anemone at all except for a maroon but thats beside the point..

as far as a bta eating your tank inhabitants its highly unlikely BTAs are sissies and pack so little of a punch other fish hardly know its there. my flame angel frequently pushes my BTA out of the way so it can pick at the rock under the anemone. my firefish has darted into the bta on a few occassions mainly when i clean the glass it gets scared. my eel will go into the anemone and steal food out before the anemone can swallow it sometimes. and my shrimp are always picking at it. none have ever seem to have been affected by the bta.

fun fact. in the wild BTA's feed on small food particles in the water column and the waste excreted by the clownfish that live within them. rarely anything big like a fish and usually if it happens then it was a fish that was very sick and dying anyway cause any healthy fish can get away from a BTA's grasp.