Suggest Tank size for a Carpet Anemone?
- Thread starter xian3000
- Start date
Amphiprion
Premium Member
What species? One of the carpets is among the largest of all sea anemones. Say for a haddoni (or "saddle" carpet), I suggest at least a 36"--but it will fill the entire tank.
delphinus
New member
I second that. S. haddoni and S. mertensii will get very large, the latter being the largest of any hosting anemones in terms of diameter (apparently 36" or beyond).
Really it comes down to how long you'd like to keep it. If the answer is "forever" then you'll need a very large tank. If you're comfortable with giving the anemone a bigger home as it becomes needed, then you can likely get away with a smaller tank for a smaller specimen, but you just have to keep in mind that it's temporary.
Also remember that each species has different requirements for substrate and preferred flow conditions and particularly flow conditions may become harder to replicate in smaller tanks.
Really it comes down to how long you'd like to keep it. If the answer is "forever" then you'll need a very large tank. If you're comfortable with giving the anemone a bigger home as it becomes needed, then you can likely get away with a smaller tank for a smaller specimen, but you just have to keep in mind that it's temporary.
Also remember that each species has different requirements for substrate and preferred flow conditions and particularly flow conditions may become harder to replicate in smaller tanks.
travisurfer
New member
a tank completely covered by an anemone would be awesome
phender
Active member
They can be awesome, but can also be a little boring. I have a 40 gal tank (36" long) with a 20" H. crispa right in the middle of it. When the anemone was small it was a beautiful, diverse tank. Now it just has a giant anemone. It is impressive, but it would be nice to have a little more variety.
Back to the original question. Don't by an anemone with the thought that, "when it grows too big, I will get a bigger aquarium or I'll trade it in". Anemones don't deal well with change. Going from one aquarium that is doing well, to another seemingly good aquarium often kills a healthy anemone. Plus, a new aquarium won't even be ready for a anemone for several months after you set it up.
As far as trading it in goes, IME very few people want a giant anemone. Most LFS don't have tanks big enough or equipment to support it. (And would you really want your prized anemone at an LFS). I have two wonderful Public Aquariums in my area to whom I thought I could donate my large H. crispa, but neither would take it. One didn't think they could keep it alive, and the other didn't have room in their display tanks or their behind the scenes tanks.
This is what it looks like, though mine is flat right now.
http://www.aquacon.com/images/greencarpet.jpg
What do u think??
http://www.aquacon.com/images/greencarpet.jpg
What do u think??
phender
Active member
That is S. haddoni, sometime called a saddle carpet because it is the most common host for saddleback clowns.
Be aware that as that type can, and often do, catch and eat non-clownfish in your tank. This includes snails, hermit crabs, shrimp, gobies, dwarf angels, and small to medium sized tangs.
The bigger it gets the more dangerous it is to your tanks inhabitants.
Be aware that as that type can, and often do, catch and eat non-clownfish in your tank. This includes snails, hermit crabs, shrimp, gobies, dwarf angels, and small to medium sized tangs.
The bigger it gets the more dangerous it is to your tanks inhabitants.
