Will a Magnifica eat my fish?

[mandarin417]

I had what I am guessing was a red Haddoni over 20 years ago in a tank lit using VHO's. The anemone did very well for the two years before I tore down the tank because of a relocation. I think I paid about $35 for it back then.

I have a mixed reef now with a couple of bubble tips. I am thinking about transitioning the tank to be more of an anemone and zoa tank. As much as I like the carpets, I know many of my fish would be prey for a carpet. Are magnifica's less likely to be a hazard for my fish? I have a pair of small yellow watchman gobies and small wrasses that I worry about becoming a tasty treat for a magnifica.

Also I understand magnifica's prefer a rocky surface, high flow and high light. Do you find that they prefer a smooth flat rock or something more textural? I have a rock mountain on one side of the tank and a nice sandy area to put a rock that hopefully the nem would like and stay put directly under a metal halide light.

My tank is 36" wide by 30" front to back by 27" tall. If I did go down the carpet anemone path, what is an acceptable number of carpets in a tank that size?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[OrionN]

Magnifica does not eat healthy fish IME. I keep Magnifica for a long time and never loose a fish to them. I did however seen picture of a yellow tank regurgitated by a Magnifica on the internet. I think this must be a sick tang. Many times fish swim and touch Magnifca without problem. This is never the case with Carpet, either Haddoni or Gigantea. For Carpet, a few tentacles will injure the fish, more than that you will have a dead fish, even if he is able to get away.

 

[AD87]

I have had my mag eat a 4 inch regal, 3 inch yellow tang and a wrasse. All fish were fat healthy and eating pellets. It all depends on space and luck. I have a or had a heavily stocked 60 gallon. I also think night lighting plays a role in my case.

 

[keefsama2003]

Im planning on putting a Magnifica in a 150 but im thinking of using these new LED lights.

 

[DasCamel]

Well I just found out, powder blue was stung, pulled away ripping a quarter sized area on the Mag. I came into the room later at some point to watch the tang struggle and die within 10-15 minutes.

Mag moved in my temp tank setup, my theory is caught the tang by surprise. Very healthy and strong tang. Even with the tear, strong and healthy mag. Other 3 fish, zero issues. Coral beauty and two happy clowns in the mag.

 

[DasCamel]

Im planning on putting a Magnifica in a 150 but im thinking of using these new LED lights.

Keep the Mag on a high pedestal, keep the area around it clear.

 

[OrionN]

I guess I was lucky. Had multiple Magnifica anemones since 1997. Never loose a fish to them. I lost fish to Gigantea and Haddoni but moved to other host clown species

 

[ca1ore]

Similar experience. Only time I saw my mag eat a fish it was a distressed damsel. Fish go missing, so it's possible others were eaten, but the act was not observed by me.

 

[AD87]

I think it all depends on the size of the anemone and size of the tank.

 

[DasCamel]

I pushed it too long, powder and mag in a 40g not a good idea long term. Can't wait to be back to normal.

 

[davocean]

As long as you have enough swim space there should be no issues w/ a mag and fish that are healthy