When to add the anemone to the display

[kelp47]

I am planning on going to my LFS tomorrow to get a couple of OCLs, which will go into QT for a while before moving into my display. I currently don't have any anemones other than a rock flower. My idea is to purchase an anemone while the clowns are in QT so that it will have time to get used to the display before the clowns move in. Is this a good procedure, or is there a better way to do this?

(I know there are better hosts for clowns, but at this time I'm more comfortable with getting a BTA rather than one of the others. Then if the clowns aren't interested, I just have a pretty BTA and non-hosting clowns )

 

[Azedenkae]

With BTAs, whenever I set up aquariums where I work I just toss them in and let them drift wherever (except into the powerheads).

And yes, I do mean literally toss them in.

For you, just well, drop them in. Gently. After acclimatization. And let it go wherever. Because it will go wherever anyways.

 

[kelp47]

Thank you for the feedback, but the question is about when to add the anemone in relation to the clownfish. Should I go with my idea, or should I add it at the same time?

 

[worm5406]

A few questions:

Age of tank?
Power heads?
Lighting?
Other inhabitants?

Just wondering if the anemone will eat all of you existing fish, or run into a powerhead without a cover.

 

[kelp47]

Age: 8 months, stocked with live rock and sand shipped overnight from the gulf.
Powerheads: 2 Tunze 6095, on opposite sides of the tank.
Lighting: ATI 6 x 39w
Inhabitants: currently just a seaweed blenny and pajama cardinal. Typical cuc. Few corals. Let me know if you need more detail on these.

 

[kelp47]

...I plan to cover the Powerheads with foam until the bta settles.

 

[worm5406]

No that really works...

How is the chemestry? Stable? No swings?

Sounds pretty good knowing/seeing just some basics.

It is all on you though.

I think my lawnmower blenny used my Anemone to perch on, once... LOL

I have never seen him again.

 

[worm5406]

Personally. Leave the covers on.

I went on vacation once after a few months of 'being settled' only to get a call from one of my boys that something happened. He picked it out of the pump for me.

 

[kelp47]

Oh, no! Thanks for the heads up!
Honestly, I'm not as good about testing as I should be, but when I do, all looks good. I will test before adding the bta for sure
Thanks for the help.

 

[Azedenkae]

Thank you for the feedback, but the question is about when to add the anemone in relation to the clownfish. Should I go with my idea, or should I add it at the same time?

My bad lol. Something was wrong with my eyes.

My answer for you is then that you should definitely add it first, let it settle where it needs to first. Adding them together can stress out the anemone, when the Clowns smother it.

 

[joshky]

BTAs are not known fish eaters, not to say it's impossible, just unlikely. Most of the time when a BTA eats a fish, it's because the fish was already on its way out/weakened.

I would definitely give the anemone time to establish before adding the clowns in, they can be pretty rough if they decide to make it their home.

 

[kelp47]

Thanks for the advice. What you've stated supports my thoughts--that, and that I'll likely buy a medium to large anemone (in online store terms), also to avoid smothering.