Should I get an Anemone?

[reef_of_flames]

I recently bought a hammer coral, and my true percula clown started to host it. This triggered my occellaris clown to begin hosting my toadstool. The corals aren't really affected, so should I add an anemone to leave the corals alone, or just let the clowns stay in their new hosts?

If I should add the anemone, what kind should I buy?

 

[reef_of_flames]

I should add that my tank has been established over a year ago, and I have LED lights.
NH3= 0
NO2= 0
NO3- 5-10ppm
pH+ 8.0 - 8.4

 

[reef_of_flames]

I should add that my tank has been established over a year ago, and I have LED lights.
NH3= 0
NO2= 0
NO3- 5-10ppm
pH+ 8.0 - 8.4

 

[gg1111]

Get a bubbletip they are very hardy. but if the true perc has a lot of black on it. there is a possibility it may loose a little coloring from the nem!

 

[Tmoriarty]

You could also just leave it alone, as long as the clowns are happy and the corals are not bothered. Adding a BTA, which is not a natural host to those clowns, will not neccessarily get them to stop associating with the corals.

If you do want to add an anemone, and your tank is setup for it, I would go with a natural host, which leaves you with S. Gigantea or H. magnifica as hosts.

 

[reef_of_flames]

Get a bubbletip they are very hardy. but if the true perc has a lot of black on it. there is a possibility it may loose a little coloring from the nem!

I've heard these are a good nem to start with. That's interesting on the color loss. Mine, however, doesn't have too much black.

 

[reef_of_flames]

You could also just leave it alone, as long as the clowns are happy and the corals are not bothered. Adding a BTA, which is not a natural host to those clowns, will not neccessarily get them to stop associating with the corals.

If you do want to add an anemone, and your tank is setup for it, I would go with a natural host, which leaves you with S. Gigantea or H. magnifica as hosts.

Well I'm getting a little concerned about my toadstool. It was expanding much bigger before the clown began hosting it.

Thanks for the anemone species suggestions. I didn't know their natural hosts.

 

[TDesaulniers]

Get a bubbletip they are very hardy. but if the true perc has a lot of black on it. there is a possibility it may loose a little coloring from the nem!

I would rearrange the structure of that sentense and say the BTA species is the most hardy out of clown hosting anemones but in general anemones are still very sensitive invertebrates. The key is to start out with a healthy anemone, especially if it's going to be your first. Since your tank has been running for over a year, you have LEDs and assuming you're taking more then adequate care of your tank, I would say go for it! Look for a BTA with a tight mouth, rich in color and responsive tentacles (sticky). Good luck.

 

[reef_of_flames]

I would rearrange the structure of that sentense and say the BTA species is the most hardy out of clown hosting anemones but in general anemones are still very sensitive invertebrates. The key is to start out with a healthy anemone, especially if it's going to be your first. Since your tank has been running for over a year, you have LEDs and assuming you're taking more then adequate care of your tank, I would say go for it! Look for a BTA with a tight mouth, rich in color and responsive tentacles (sticky). Good luck.

This is true, but I had an idea of what the other reefer meant
Thank you for the tips on selecting a BTA. In addition to those criteria, I am already EXTREMELY picky on livestock that I buy lol. It has to look like in perfect condition. I've built myself a reputation at my LFS for being so selective.

For my birthday last year, my mom went to my LFS to buy me a fish. She asked the guy what a good fish would be for me. The guy responded, "I don't know- he's very picky." lol Somehow without knowing the fish I wanted at the time, my mom managed to buy me a firefish, which is actually what my LFS guy suggested to her.

 

[velvetelvis]

Aquacultured BTAs are my favorite anemones and the best ones, IMO. Check with your local reefing/aquarium club, if you have one; someone local may be breaking down a tank, or have a clone for sale.

 

[Jerm0007]

While more difficult to keep carpet anemones are my favorite. If you can find a healthy one they are quite hardy once established and are very beautiful. Your clown is also a match for hosting in this type of nem.

 

[velvetelvis]

While more difficult to keep carpet anemones are my favorite. If you can find a healthy one they are quite hardy once established and are very beautiful. Your clown is also a match for hosting in this type of nem.

I wouldn't recommend carpet anemones unless the aquarist is very experienced and has had long-term (years, not months) success keeping the hardier bubble-tips not just alive, but thriving. IMO, wild-collected anemones are too ecologically valuable for inexperienced keepers to attempt. Even expert anemone keepers on this forum have struggled with anemones like carpets and magnificas (usually through no fault of their own; the anemones are just subject to a lot of stress during importation, and often not cared for properly at the store).

 

[reef_of_flames]

Although not a perfect match, I think I will go with a BTA. Only because I have no experience with anemones, so I and the nem have a better chance for success.

 

[bjledbetter]

Bta's are the easiest nems to keep and is a good choice. Keep the water parameters up to reefing standards and you should be good to go. Bta's like to wander for a few days usually after they are added to the tank till they find a spot that they like and attach there foot, so make sure that you cover your power heads. You don't want anemone soup. Also you may need to light acclimate the nem depending on the light its coming from and the light you have. If you have a lot stronger lighting than the local fish store A easy way to do this is get some egg crate and and some window screen and place several layers over the top of the tank where the nem is and slowly remove a layer every few days to a week till its up to full lighting. Bta's some time when first introduced will do this themselfs by hiding in the rock work and slowly poking there heads back out over time.