Which anenome ?

[H.reidi.MN]

I would like a pair of black ocellaris eventualy and I'm wondering the best host anemone form them .

Thinking either RBTA Or ritteri

thanks

 

[bjledbetter]

If this is your first nem I would recommend the bta. Ritteri are one of the hardest nems keep, and grow to be quite large. What size tank do you have? Lighting? How old's the tank?

 

[H.reidi.MN]

Not my first anenome. I've been in the hobby since 2006 and have kept pretty much anything but I hear mixed opinions on which would suit these clowns best.

Tanks is an oceanic tech 120 with the coralife stock fixture. 2x96w actinic and 2x10k 150w MH soon to be phoenix 14k mh .. I dont really use the mh much right now. When I get my controller they will be on for a peak daylight type if setting.

Tanks is 2 years old bought used and I've had it for a month and it has already gone through a mini cycle

 

[bjledbetter]

When are you planning on adding the nem? I'd let the tank age a few more months first after being re set up Bta's are not a natural host for this type of clown, but they will sometimes host them in the home aquarium and require less light. The natural hosting nems for ocellaris are ritteri, gigs, and mertans. I'm not too sure that the 2 x 150 MH are strong enough to keep these nems happy in a tank that size in less its placed up near the top of the tank. I'm using 2 x 250w 14k phoenix and leds on my 90g to keep my ritteri happy and he's all the way at the top of my rock work. I also have a rbta in the tank and my clarkii clown goes from one to the other constantly. As for getting your clowns to actually go into either of the nems thats just a gamble as captive bred clowns are just as apt to take up to your sand bed or lr as they are to a nem. which ever one you choose. If you have the room add both. Just remember that ritteri can get up to 2ft in length in the home aquarium and over 4ft in the wild. But i've also seen bta's up to 18" before splitting.

 

[H.reidi.MN]

Thanks that's crazy they need that much light. The tank is 4x2x2 and the lights are about 4" off the water and the highest points of aquascape reach between 10-6 inches from the surface which might change. I plan on new aquascaping soon.

I'll prob opt for the RBTA over the ritteri.

 

[nikon187]

Unless you upgrade your lights, that would be the best choice. Mags ( ritteri ) are one of the highest light demanding animals we can keep.

 

[H.reidi.MN]

Thanks . Now would you add the anenome first that way the clowns hopefully might try and host in the anenome or get the clowns first then add the anenome. Either way I'm waiting on the anenome for another month or two at least.

 

[bjledbetter]

Add the nem first and let it have time to settle in and adjust to your water parameters. Also the nem needs to be 2 or 3 times larger than the clowns, or the clowns may love them to death.