Anemone and Clownfish Questions.

[hanknmorgan]

Lately I have really been thinking of getting an anemone for my clownfish (oscilleris). I know he doesn't need one, but I really enjoy watching the two together. I had a little clarki clown that actually hosted a condy for about a year and half a few years ago until he died. We were so sad that we just broke down the tank. We had no coral at that time. Now I have a 12g tank that only has a few pretty small coral frags in it. Pretty empty. Will a small/medium bubble tip be ok in my tank? When we bought the clown about 2 months ago he was swimming in 3 different BTA's at the store. I hoped he would host our torch coral, but he has never even looked at it.

Also, I would like to get another smaller clown to hopefully get them to pair up. When would be the best time to intro the new clown in relation to an anemone. Thanks.

[ClownReef®]

What type of lights do you have? As far as tank size goes..the anemone will be ok until it gets bigger..then you will have to either upgrade or give the anemone away to a bigger home.

You can introduce a new clown at any time. Anemone or not. Some clowns jump into anemones within a minute..some never do.. Its all up to them. My suggestion is..dont but an anemone and expect then to jump in. E. quadricolor is not their natural host, but there is a good chance they might jump in.

[Bill S]

A BTA in a 12g tank can be dicey. If it dies, the tank WILL crash, and crash hard. And, new BTAs aren't the most easy to keep. If you decide you HAVE to do this, get a clone. That being said, I'm about to put one of my RBTAs into my daughter's nano. But, it's a long-term clone AND it sits right by my desk. I see it ALL the time.

[hanknmorgan]

I will definately go with a clone anem as i have read they are generally more hardy. Actually a rose bubble tip is what I am considering. I know it's not the oscilleris natural host, but he sure did like the ones in the tank at the pet store. My tank is in our living room and gets constant attention and traffic.

I have a 102 watts of light. 70w MH with 32w PC. I imagine that should be ok for it. If not, please let me know. If the anemone gets huge I could probably sell it or trade for a smaller one or something. I would almost rather have a cool anemone and a few corals than just tons of corals, maybe I'm insane though.

[ClownReef®]

You should be ok. RBTA's don't need as much light as a lot of people think. I'd say you're golden.

[hanknmorgan]

Well, my biggest concern I guess is that it will sting my corals as it moves around to find it's happy place. Not sure how to prevent that, but I guess I can just see how it goes. The tank otherwise seems pretty anemone proof as there are no exposed powerheads or anything.

I have been heasitant to consider an anemone mainly because I keep reading that they are not beginner friendly and people seem to discourage more than encourage when people ask about them.

[BIGBIRD123]

>>>

[hanknmorgan]

??? Is there something I am missing in the post above. Sorry.

[hanknmorgan]

Is there another anemone that would be a better choice than the RBTA? I just see those are popular, and I like how they look.

I dont want to endanger my tank though, so if an Anemone is a disaster in the making I would like to avoid it. I imagine with proper lighting and good water quality it should do well though just like anything else Correct?

[FireWater]

If the anenome scares you that much why not use a torch coral or toadstool leather? My clown took to my torch and they are both happy. You can always try an anenome when you get more comfortable with it.

[jrnannery]

I have an LTA that sat in the corner of my tank, never moving, and causing no problems...one morning not long ago, I awoke to find it completely engulfing three SPS frags, killing all three in the process...as soon as someone gets this thing to come loose off the rock, it is GONE!!! In fact, it sat on top of a colony of zoas that has since done a color morph due, in my opinion, to the long exposure to the tentacles of this murderer.

[Bill S]

Yeah, BTAs are the same way. I've been trying to trim down the ones in my big tank. I'm down to FIVE. They will sting the SPS nearby, and it seems like the more I "urge" them to move, the more stubborn they are about staying. That's why Ace says he doesn't keep them.

BTAs - especially clones - are probably the easiest to keep (except the very rare "brown rock anemones";) ) If you are going to keep one, they are a good one to try. Most clowns will eventually host in them.

[BIGBIRD123]

I agree...

[erikharrison]

you need to wait man. I've read your posts, and you just started up your tank. Be patient, unlike me who has had three devastating tank crashes since December. I am the posterchild of what not to do, and it sounds like you're heading right down the same path that I took. I'm only looking out for your best interests here, I don't care if you've been keeping fish your whole life, patience is the best teacher, and if you mess with patience, prepare to get owned by it. I'm not trying to come across rude or anything, but seriously, tread lightly right now!! :)

[BIGBIRD123]

I still agree...

[erikharrison]

Oh yeah and >>> is the start of a "race" around these parts. If you look at some of Steve's more recent posts you should see them. :P

[BIGBIRD123]

The only way to catch ya....LOL!

plus it gives everybody a free bump...

[hanknmorgan]

Thanks for the input. I didnt just start my tank. It's been up and doing very well since the first of the year. I know that's not a LONG time, but generally that seems to be accepted as a fairly established tank. I didnt just finish my cycle or anything.

I am not scared of getting an anemone, I just want to make sure I know what I am getting into and that I am making a good decision before getting one if I decide to.

[hanknmorgan]

Oh yeah and >>> is the start of a "race" around these parts. If you look at some of Steve's more recent posts you should see them. :P

Gotcha. I was wondering what that was.