Evicting a tube anemone.

[350gt]

I was just wondering if there was a good way to get a tube anemone out of a rock he found a home in. As soon as he feels threatened he tucks to far in to try and pull him out safely, even though I doubt tugging at him will do any good. Although he looks cool in his spot he is taking up a good chunk of my tank and would love the space for more peaceful species... I could remove the rock but it would require a major overhaul on the rockwork as its a fairly large piece on the bottom of the pile.....



Any advice?

[tebstan]

They can create elaborate tunnels out of their tubing under the rock. Just like feather dusters, removing them can be tricky and harmful. But, if you want him gone... it's probably a risk you're willing to take.

You could try aggravating him enough that he ejects out of his tube, just like a duster would. Theoretically he could build a new tube and survive, if he were protected from predators. Remove the remaining tube as well as you can - they're gross looking and indigestible to clean up crew.

If he won't go willingly, you'll have to remove the rock protecting him. Either way he may not fair well. When I added mine I knew they'd be pretty permanent residents.

[kkiel02]

Mine always stayed in the sand. It looks sweet in the rock though. Ive moved them several times and like said above they build huge structures, like roots, under them.

[tebstan]

Kevin, when you moved them did you take the original tube with them or force them to make a new one?

(If they were forced to make a new tube... what did the body look like?!)

[kkiel02]

I always kept the tube fairly intact. Never saw the body sorry.

[justahobby]

I can't give you other advice except leave it. It looks sweet in that spot!

Adrian, Body looks like a tapered tail. Not very exciting lol.

[tebstan]

Adrian, Body looks like a tapered tail. Not very exciting lol.

pssh, boring. ;) Feather dusters I've seen were bright green - not what I would have expected at all.

[Sherita]

I made mine move by putting a rock over the opening he was hiding in, leaving a small gap at the bottom where the sand bed is. Took about a week and he popped up on the other side of the tank. YMMV.