Was looking to get a tube anemone and before i did i'd like some more info on the reefer's on here who have had one. Just general experiences with them, if you've lost a fish or some type of animal to them, and so on. Any info can help out here, spot feeding is not a problem, i currently spot feed most of my lps multiple times a week.
tube anemone questions
- Thread starter Art13
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Bretts05jeep
New member
I got one about 5 months ago. It ended up moving to the back side of the rocks to where I couldn't see it. I would go several weeks with out seeing it.( Just checked its till there) I have not lost any fish while having it. The only small slow moving fish I have is a scooter blenny but he has not been harmed. The anemone has definitely shrunk in size and there is no way for me to spot feed because of where it has moved to. So it will probably starve over time.
Thanks for the input, i was under the impression it didn't move much, but i have minimal rockwork in there so i can usually get to wherever he goes then. My only question to this would be, i plan on putting on the bottom left of my tank in the sand bed, about 20 inches away is an open brain and then going even further are some acans in the sand bed, should i be worried about them if the nem decides to try and walk around?
igot2gats
Deeeetroit Basketball!
This is a good read on them:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/6/inverts
Take it for what it's worth, but I found this quote to be interesting from the article:
"Tube anemones can be an interesting and very attractive addition to a reef tank if the proper conditions exist. However, that last part 'if proper conditions exist' is critical, and more often than not, the conditions preferred by tube anemones are not those maintained in our home aquaria."
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/6/inverts
Take it for what it's worth, but I found this quote to be interesting from the article:
"Tube anemones can be an interesting and very attractive addition to a reef tank if the proper conditions exist. However, that last part 'if proper conditions exist' is critical, and more often than not, the conditions preferred by tube anemones are not those maintained in our home aquaria."
Well, that was a really good read on them, thanks for the link. It looks like i have the room for him, i don't mind spot feeding, and i tend to keep my tank fed well and probably what people would consider dirty, as well as putting plankton in a few times a week. If i'm reading the article correctly with a little attention to care for him i shouldn't really have an issue. I will have a 90 gallon tank to house him in. i'm also assuming since they say spread out a foot around that would mean the tentacles would be 6 inches either way. Anything to add to that or objections you can see?
E Rosewater
New member
Ive had mine in the tank for quite a while now, 6 months or so, he hasn't moved, and his tube is actually resting on the sand bed (not buried). He seems happy though so I have no intentions on moving him.
wiz careefa
New member
I had one in a 50 gallon cube. Real easy too care for. Just bury there body in the sand and it will never move. It just eats whatever is floating around when I feed
BlueFyre
New member
I have had one for a while and I love it! I recently got a second one. They are very easy to care for. Both of mine are in some PVC then buried in the sand. I spot feed them here and there but they also grab food out of the water column. Mine won't eat anything larger than mysis. If I try to feed them silversides they spit them out. I haven't lost any fish or inverts to them.
A bad picture of my Purple one
A bad picture of my Purple one
I've had a couple for several years. They can move. I've even had one put his tube under a rock and one day came out on the other side. At night they can really extend so be carful. They can also sometimes be a pain to feed. They will sometimes withdraw abruptly when they feel a pulse of food shot at them.
E Rosewater
New member
Once or twice a week feed frozen food with the power heads on, current should bring him some food. It's fun to watch as they grab things out if the water column.
As has been alluded to here, there are two myths about these animals. First, that they will eat your fish. Second, that they need to be deeply buried. From my experience I'm certain they they are both false. A few inches of sand covering is more than enough. And the only threat to fish is to the very, very small, weak variety.
But they DO need to be fed.
But they DO need to be fed.
BlueFyre
New member
They have a powerful sting. I keep mine on one side of the tank with nothing near it. The fish know not to go over there and corals do not grow within it's reach. My shrimp sometimes messes with it but you can tell it's not comfortable.
Here's a full tank shot, you can see they are over in the right corner with not much else around.
Here's a full tank shot, you can see they are over in the right corner with not much else around.
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