Someone talk me down (haddoni)

[greech]

When I got into this hobby a little over a year and a half ago I did so with the mindset that I wanted a clownfish with a host anemone. I was a bit disappointed when I realized what it takes (and the time involved) to ensure a tank is mature enough to house an anemone so I got the clowns (black and whites) and went down the path of stocking my tank (40 breeder) with corals. Many of my little tiny frags have grown fairly well and the tank is looking pretty darn good IMO but I'm still missing seeing my clowns with a anemone. Every time I see this relationship I just stop dead in my tracks. The problem is that since my tank now has a fair amount of corals I am afraid to add an anemone for fear of it walking.

That got me thinking about a carpet since they tend to stay in the sand and understand that they generally like to bury their foot at the interface between rock and sand. I have found a beautiful (and from what I have read appears to be healthy) green haddoni and am considering removing a little more than 1/2 of my tanks contents to add this nem. Essentially I have 2 islands that meet in the middle and the entire left island would go. Rock to sump and frags relocated on the right, traded and/or exchanged to the LFS for credit. I would really like to add this nem to my tank but am concerned about space and losing what I already have built.

Sorry for the rambling, I'm just torn...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

what size aquarium?

what fish do you have? (list all!)

what species Clownfish?

 

[Crustman]

You can also have a LTA anemone. These are not the fish eaters like haddoni. Mine stays put and hosts a huge clarkii clown. They anchor their base next to the live rock in deep sand. Some are colorful.

 

[davocean]

Looks like a 40g breeder and I'm guessing B&W occs, so the natural host nems would be rather large, gig, or mertens.
I probably sound like the band leader for malu's lately, but that's what I went w/ to save real estate for corals.
I also prefer a sand dwellar in a mixed reef for this reason.

 

[greech]

Yes, the tank is a 40 breeder and the only fish I have (and want to have) is a pair of B/W Occelaris. Here are a few slightly older pics of the tank (sorry about the quality)

Basically all of the rock left of the red chalice will go along the back wall (low) or in the sump.

The little blenny you see in this pic has been removed due to being an acan muncher!

I have read the stickies on this page and a bit more on my own and realize there is no guarantee my clowns will take to a haddoni.

 

[greech]

You can also have a LTA anemone. These are not the fish eaters like haddoni. Mine stays put and hosts a huge clarkii clown. They anchor their base next to the live rock in deep sand. Some are colorful.

Honestly I have not looked into the LTA's as I understood them to be less likely to survive long in captivity. I will look into them more though. Thank you.

 

[rayn]

Off topic I know, but is that a yellowtail blenny? I hope they don't all eat corals as I have one in QT now.

 

[davocean]

Well, from that pic scape could be arranged for nem room fairly easily, especially if you went up a lil, but for a hadonni, those do get pretty big.

 

[davocean]

Honestly I have not looked into the LTA's as I understood them to be less likely to survive long in captivity. I will look into them more though. Thank you.

I had my last LTA 5.5 years, and could easily still have it if I didn't sell it w/ the system when downsizing.
It's a doable option.
Mine max'd at 18"
It is a sand dwellar.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

aquarium size (40 breeder) is the only drawback I see.

as already mentioned- haddoni can get large (24" diameter) but it's no reason to talk you down from getting one for your 40...

 

[greech]

Off topic I know, but is that a yellowtail blenny? I hope they don't all eat corals as I have one in QT now.

It was a flametail (somewhat looks like a bi-color). I found several references and first-hand experiences with them being reef safe before I purchased it but once I saw it munching (or should I say ripping) on chunks of my acans I dug a little further and found them to be one of those fish that may or may not much on fleshy corals. This fish was not picking at the base of the corals for algae, it was literally ripping of chunks from my acans!

I had my last LTA 5.5 years, and could easily still have it if I didn't sell it w/ the system when downsizing.
It's a doable option.
Mine max'd at 18"
It is a sand dwellar.

Thanks. I will be looking into these more but must admit the carpet is just so beautiful, I am not sure I can wrap my mind around anything else right now

 

[greech]

aquarium size (40 breeder) is the only drawback I see.

as already mentioned- haddoni can get large (24" diameter) but it's no reason to talk you down from getting one for your 40...

Oh man you just made my day!!! I would love to say an upgrade is around the corner but realistically I am a year or two out. The carpet is about 5 to 6" in diameter now. I know they will grow quickly but can I expect it to reach those proportions within a year? Thank you for chiming in!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I'm assuming your lighting is good.
Protect any anemone from those powerheads!

Just a FYI: moving a haddon's anemone to another aquarium can be a PITH (pain in the hands). These anemones can sting.

 

[greech]

Good question and something I meant to ask. 36" Sundial 4x39 with 3 ATI Blue+ and 1 ATI Aquablue Special. Tank is 16" high. Sound ok?

The powerheads are Koralia Evolution 1050s and the guards are pretty tight. If I commit, then I will try and find or make some foam shields for them.

I woork in the environmental field and have boxes and boxes of every size nitrile glove you can imagine at my disposal

 

[davocean]

I'm assuming your lighting is good.
Protect any anemone from those powerheads!

Just a FYI: moving a haddon's anemone to another aquarium can be a PITH (pain in the hands). These anemones can sting.

That's a very good point!
I think at that size it could take a while to outgrow, and you may be able to shift things around to stay ahead of it.
Light is their main source of energy, so i would not be overly concerned on spot feeding, and probably would keep feedings light/small to keep growth from getting out of hand.

 

[greech]

Actually what I may do for flow is add a second return line with a SQWID (sp?) and ramp up my Sicce Syncra return pump (currently on it's lowest setting) and see if I can eliminate the powerheads all together.

 

[dalston]

It's hard to tell from the pictures but how deep is you sand bed? I really have no experience with S. haddoni but I would recommend at least 3-4" deep for M. doreensis (LTA).

Other than that, and what has already been mentioned, I think a bright green haddoni would look beautiful in that tank

 

[davocean]

Actually what I may do for flow is add a second return line with a SQWID (sp?) and ramp up my Sicce Syncra return pump (currently on it's lowest setting) and see if I can eliminate the powerheads all together.

I would never rely on return pump for all flow.
Sump return is typically 3-5x turnover, and rest of flow via PH's or loop.
I suggest 30-40x on a mixed reef, more for sps tanks.
I'm not fond of squids either, they tend to be noisy/clunky and fail, OM's are the way to go, though not cheap.
Some have luck w/ mods on squids but still, just not a fan.

 

[ghostman]

I'm a newbie with regards to nems and clowns, but will a haddon be a good match for occelaris clowns? My Haddoni ate my male clown. I traded the female for a pair od akindylos clowns that love it. Just wondering....

 

[Toddrtrex]

Once I am healthy enough (( bad back )) I am going to move at least one of my Haddonis to a 40 breeder -- one thing I can tell you -- if you want other fish on that tank, rethink everything. With that sized tank, and the size that an S. Haddoni can reach in short order, you will lose fish to the Haddoni.