What nem should I get? Or none?

[ReeferKimberly]

This is going to be my first nem in a while. 65 gallon tank pretty much full of coral. There will not be anywhere on the rocks for the nem to be, so I am looking for a sand dweller. I have 3-4 inches of sand for them to plant their foot in. My tank is soft/LPS and is not SPS perfect water quality conditions, though my fish and corals are certainly thriving well. It just has higher nitrates than a SPS tank. Hovers around 15-20. Is that ok for a nem? If not I will not get one.

Otherwise the tank is very very stable/healthy and 2.5 years old. Are there any nems that are less aggressive/less likely to move around a ton? I have always thought they were beautiful but understand they also have their own needs. If I had a ton of super expensive coral I would stay away, but it is mostly common stuff.

I have one small fish I would like it not to eat, a ruby red dragonet. So the fish perches. I would understandably like the nem to not eat the fish.

My lights are 2-4 bulbs T5 (4 bulbs on for 4 hours a day, then down to 2 plus the LED) and a A350W kessil.

 

[Reefahholic]

I would say a Haddoni. They like sand, and are a lot easier than a gig. Probably will eat your scotter blenny. Bottom dwelling fish are typically lunch sooner or later. A gig would probably be less likely to eat him, but they will eat fish too. They're also sand dwellers, but difficult to keep. I don't like non-host anemones so really don't know what others like the sand.

 

[Kairus]

Sebae. They like to have their foot on the sand and the edge of the rocks. Unlikely that it will climb the rocks.

 

[Kaman8]

Long tentacle are sand dwellers and it will host clown fishes

 

[ReeferKimberly]

I guess I should add, I have no clowns and will not be getting any. This is my eel's tank. She will get too large for me to add any more fish. She is already almost 20 inches. I guess my biggest concern is whether a nitrate reading of 15-20 is ok for a nem or do they need pristine water....and whichever will live in the sand and have the least chance of eating my fish. I figure there is a chance with them all...but the least chance. Thank you

(also, do any stay on the smaller side? I guess you could say I know very little about nems. The sebaes are beautiful and appear smaller than gigs and carpets (though those are beautiful too).

The tank is chocked full so smaller is better.

 

[Kaman8]

Carpet anemones will eat fishes more often. Long tentacles normally eat fish when they are weak or almost dying. So I think you will be safer with long tentacle. But I have to say that there is a chance for all anemones that they will it fish. I have carpet and bubble tip and so far I haven't lost 1 fish to them.

I had a time that my nitrate was 20 and had no problem with the nems, but I took the nitrates down in a month to 5 . So I am not sure if they can live with 20 nitrate in long term.

 

[Reefahholic]

Sebae. They like to have their foot on the sand and the edge of the rocks. Unlikely that it will climb the rocks.

I forgot about a Sebae! That would be perfect for you.

 

[taylor t]

Malu would be most likely your best choice. Tougher to find than a crispa. Both are commonly classified as "sebae". I've seen plenty of crispa up in the rocks. I've never seen a Malu in rocks, only sand. Doesn't mean it won't happen though...

Carpets will eat your fish. LTA and crispa will get quite large. Malu will most likely remain smaller. BTA like to wander, and like up in the rocks too.

All anemone's can eat fish if they are sick or weak, and wander right into it. Malu is less sticky of the bunch too.