How often to feed?

[Crab Rangoon]

I'm wondering how often anemone's need feeding (currently giving them Mysis directly once a day). I didnt want to over, or underfeed them. Wrasse also seems happy with its one meal a day too, so I'm guessing thats ok?

[JimD]

The more you feed anemones, the faster they'll get big, that being said, how large is your tank?

[Crab Rangoon]

10 Gallons :D Running a minireef to get my feet wet before converting my 55

[JimD]

In that case, I wouldnt feed it much untill you get the 55 set up. What kind of anemone?

[Crab Rangoon]

They're both very small, I've got a Sebae that gets to be as big as a raquet ball when its spread and open (but most of the time ~golfball size), and a half-dollar sized long tentacle.

[JimD]

Youre aware that anemones need >>well established systems<< to thrive, 6 months to a year at least. Sebaes are probaly the most difficult anemones to keep alive in even the most stable tanks, LTA's get really huge, 12" and more and require good lighting and clean water. You did know this, right? :-)

[Crab Rangoon]

Yes, I'm not saying that my setup is top notch, or that they are going to stay in there forever, nor do I plan to reap a lot (especially growth) from the 10 gallon. All the rock is some old cured Fiji, some new cured Fiji, and cured Florida aquacultured rock. Most of the substrate used to be live sand before it was used in a freshwater setup, but that doesnt have much relevance. The water is all prim and proper, and most of the water was D.I. And as far as water flow and quality go, its all good. I can test my water any given day of the week, and am currently trying to figure out the best maintenance schedule for doing water changes (used to do them daily on my freshtank), but its got both a powerhead and a mini-filter on it (which is soon to be upgraded too). And lighting, I've got 4w/G PC Actinic/Daylight. I try to keep myself in check ;)

[JimD]

Everything sounds ok except your lighting, 4w/G = 40 watts, nowhere near enough lighting for a Sebae, Most people keep them under halides. As far as water changes go, I have a 12 gallon clown tank and I change 2-3 gallons every 2 weeks, seems to work.

[Crab Rangoon]

cool, 20% changes every other week are buttah :p anyhow, when I up-n-start the 55, I figure I'll be doing either a T5 HO or dual PC for starters, and add a MH as soon as funds/lucky deals permit :o (55 will be a LOT less jumpstarted, nothing but my substrate, water, and lr/br are going in for the first weeks, unlike this shotgun-wedding of a tank :laugh: )

[JimD]

Sounds like you have a good plan, good luck and keep us updated with its progress.

[GaryP]

I won't say that you can completely overcome a lack of light with frequent feeding but it will certainly help. I feed my anemones a couple of times per week but then they are under about 6.5 watt/gal.

I've been feeding my LTA a lot lately because I am pushing it to split. I think its splitting now. It crawled back into the LR yesterday and has stayed there. That usually means its getting ready to split. LTA's usually split 3:1.

Gary

[Crab Rangoon]

I'm not familiar enough to know about splitting or anything, I know about using a razor to culture leathers and stuff, but thats about it. I just started keeping saltwater in the home (outta the store) last Friday :o but its been a smooth and fun ride so far, minus the fact I take home a lotta livestock, and not a lotta pay, haha

also, is it suggested to handfeed anemones? thats what I've been doing, becasue I only have one other thing in there that would eat what they dont pick up, and thats my wrasse. So, is what I'm doing suggested? or should I just be dropping it in and letting them get what they can?

[GaryP]

I target feed krill to mine with really long hemostats. Otherwise, your fish will get the food before the anemone does. Mysids, krill, or silversides would be good.

Gary

[Crab Rangoon]

Currently, all I'm feeding is frozen mysis shrimp, but I feed pre-cooked frozen cocktail shrimp to my Frontosas, so I'll probably incorporate those into this tanks diet as well. Any non-seafood items I might wanna try throwing in? I work at Central Market, as well, so bringing home some goodies that I know they like or are good for them, such as mussels, shrimp, etc, wouldn't be a problem at all, if I got any pointers ;)

[GaryP]

Pieces of table shrimp would be good. Your fish would like the live mussels. My Copper Band goes crazy when I give him some.

Gary