New Print and eBook on Amazon:   Anemone Success Doing what it takes to keep Anemones healthy long-term by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Clownfish not looking well: Likely Allelopathy Too many anemones and polyps in a small space. 8/6/2009
<Hi Anna>
Started our saltwater tank August 2008. We adjusted our tank slowly. We filtered our LR for a whole 30 days, then we added the sand. We waited an additional month and began to add fish and anemone. Knowing what we know now we would have waited longer to add the fish and anemone. We would have
tested our levels better and researched food.
<But you are learning.>
We seemed to be doing well until two months ago. Suddenly our Firefish became listless, not his usual zippy self. His mouth was open and he was gasping. He has been this way for two months now, still alive somehow. I have no idea how his feeding has been. We see him occasionally <Something in the water or some other fish beating him up.>.
Last month one of our percula clowns became listless as well. He laid on the bottom of the tank and just bobbed around in one spot. He didn't appear
to eat much. His mouth was constantly open and turning translucent. He began to lose color in his fins and his stripes began to fade a little into his orange.
<This is a telling clue here,>
He disappeared, we have been unable to find him in our tank. We did notice a spike in our nitrates and we did a water change to correct this last week. Now our other percula clown has developed the same symptoms.
She is listless, not eating, mouth open and paling....none of the fish had any substance come off of them when we performed our freshwater dips. They don't seem to have any dots or splotches on their bodies.
<No, this isn't a disease.>
We want to find out what is wrong before we lose another. We have been unable to find any information
on our fishes symptoms. What are we doing wrong?
<See below.>
tank: 55gallons, fully adjusted for almost a year pH and chemical levels: normal range
<Sorry, pet peeve - What is normal? Actual values make it much easier to diagnose.. salinity: normal <1.023 - 1.026?>
food: anemone- mysis shrimp and silversides, fish- flake food
<Fine.>
occupants: 2 percula clowns, blue damsel, Firefish, blenny, mandarin, hermit crab, 3 snails,
<A bit crowded for a 55, but not too bad. The Mandarin is likely to starve in such a small tank though.>
BTA, LTA, and another type of anemone whose name I have forgotten, and numerous feather tip anemone, polyps, and corals.
<Ding! We have a winner. Too many anemones and polyps in the tank. You essentially have a chemical war going on in your tank between the anemones, and the various corals. Your fish are caught in the crossfire.
You will need to remove at least two of the anemones and likely some of the polyps.. Additionally, do run carbon in your filter to soak up these toxins.>
<Do read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zoanthidcompfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemcompfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cnidcomp4.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/polypcompfaqs.htm >
<MikeV>

Anemone Stings a Mandarin -- No Reading 10/07/07 Hi Crew, <Hello Jessica, Brenda here> Did a quick search but really don't have much time. <I'm sorry honey! I don't exactly have much time either. I'm watching my grandfather die, (for 34 days now and sleeping in a chair) my son is also in the hospital. I get about 3 hours a day away from the hospital in a 24 hour period, including my breaks for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Yet I still manage to answer your question. I suggest you make more time.> My green mandarin was stung by my bulb tip anemone. I moved the mandarin <Mandarin> to QT seconds after. His colors are very faded and he looks a little puffy. <Please explain his habitat before the sting.> Is there a way to treat him before I lose him? <Time will tell if he will survive the sting. My guess is that the anemone was not its only problem.> I LOVE HIM!!!! Please help! I will continue research awaiting your response. <That would be a very wise choice!> Thank you Jessica <Brenda>
Re: Anemone Stings a Mandarin -- No Reading 10/08/07 Sorry to hear you are having a horrible string of luck. Things will get better, they usually do. <I hope so! Thank you!> I did not mean I didn't have time to research, I mean I didn't have much time because the fish looked awful and lethargic! <It is a powerful sting. I myself have a few scars.> All water parameters are good, ammonia, phosphate, Nitrites, and Nitrates are all 0. My Mandarin, Kermit, was fine until he hopped onto the anemone. Big mistake! He is still alive and finally eating again as of this afternoon. <This is a very good sign. What size tank was Kermit in before the sting? How much live rock? How long has the tank been set up?> He has adjusted well to frozen brine shrimp. <Brine shrimp is not an adequate diet. It has little nutritional value unless it is newly hatched (less than 24 hours).> His colors are still a bit drab though. He is still in QT. I'm a little nervous to put him back in the display, maybe in a week or two. <I can understand not wanting to put him back. There is also no guarantee he won't surf the anemone again. Provide it some hiding places while in quarantine to reduce the stress. PVC works great.> I want him to get strong again. Is there something I can give him to aid him in his recovery? <Give it a more appropriate diet. More information available here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mandfdgfaqs.htm As far as the anemone sting, there is nothing that you can do except provide an adequate environment and wait. Brenda>

New Fishes, New Problems (Problems With New Fish Additions) -- 09/23/07 Good morning crew. <Hi there! Scott F. in today!> First, I just want to say thank you for donating your time like this!! I have found so much useful information and contribute the success of the tank to some articles on your site! <Thanks for the kind words. We have a top notch crew of talented volunteers here on WWM, and I'm proud to be associated with them!> I have a 75 gallon tank coral/fish and is doing pretty well. Ammonia - 0 Nitrate - 0 Nitrite - 0 PH - 8.2 Alk - Normal Tank mates include: Clownfish Black and White Damsel Diamond Goby Coral Banded Shrimp Atlantic Anemone Bubble Coral Christmas Coral Assorted Polyps 4 turbo snails Assorted blue and red crabs 2 feather dusters <Interesting mix...> The Polyps tend to flourish in my tank growing larger and larger everyday. The anemone, bubble and Christmas tree all seem to sustain life but don't seem to flourish like the polyps. <Well, anemones do have rather demanding husbandry requirements and you really are better off creating a system to cater to their specific needs. Categorically, they don't do well in mixed aquariums in the long run for most people.> I can't seem to keep alive additional fish in the tank. I added a Cardinal who lasted a few weeks then passed. I immediately tested the tank and all levels were 0. Not trusting my tests I took my water to the LFS and all levels were perfect. I tried again with a Foxface and same result. <Curious. BTW, I think that a Foxface needs more space than this aquarium can afford, but I don't see that as the reason whey the fish died.> The current fish seem to do great and love life. There does not seem to be any aggression towards anything. I have read about other 75 gallon tanks that have twice as much livestock. <I'm sure that there are systems out there like that. However, think about this for a second: I have lots of friends who drive their cars though twisty canyon at ridiculous speeds, and they never get into accidents...Does that mean that I should also be driving outrageously fast on the same roads? Maybe a bad analogy, but you get the picture. For optimum success, create an environment that provides all of your specimens conditions that they need to thrive, including conservative stocking levels. Who cares what "other guys" do? You do what you feel is right for your animals. That's what got you where you are!> I attribute this to my actual water quantity. It's a 75 gallon tank with almost 90-100 lbs of live rock and about 75 lbs of sand. My displacement is about 8-10 gallons. My canister filter and remora protein skimmer are the only devices that add water quantity to the system. In your opinion have I reached my tanks capacity? I would like additional fish but not at the expense of their lives. <I commend you on your philosophy. I believe that you could probably keep one or two additional small fish in this system. I'm more concerned about your mix of inverts that I am about your fish. It's hard to say why the fishes that you introduced died. Could be stress from acclimation, transport, etc. It sounds like overt aggression from other tankmates and water quality were not factors. It really sounds like an issue related to the new fish themselves. Review your selection process, quarantine procedure, and fish source. Another, rather distant possibility is that there is some sort of pathogen in your system that the existing inhabitants have developed an immunity to, but that the new fishes were unable to withstand. Personally, I'm leaning towards the new fishes themselves. Do review the issues that I pointed out, and perhaps you'll have better luck in the future! Regards, Scott F.>

E. quadricolor, Bubble Tip Anemone Not Fully Inflated, Mixed Species Tank??? -- 7/28/07 Hi there! <Hello, Brenda here!> Well I have a bubble anemone and would just like to have a concern addressed if possible? <I'll try!> My water quality is perfect and lighting is good (in fact all other anemones and inverts are happy and are growing like mad). <All other anemones? Unless the anemones are clones, it is likely the problem.> My bubble anemone just doesn't fully inflate. It rarely deflates. It's open all day long and very occasionally moves around, but not too often, changed positions once in the last 2-3 weeks). <A moving anemone is a sign that it is unhappy. It may be getting stung by a nearby anemone or coral.> My main concern is why does it never fully inflate? It is inflated but not to what I have seen it do before! I would say it is about 3 quarters fully inflated but that is as far as it goes! Any theories? <I need more information. Are the anemones that you keep the same species and clones? If not, I would separate, that is likely the problem. If they are the same species and a clone: What are the other tank mates? I also need actual water parameters, tank size, equipment list, including lighting. How long have you had the anemone? Have you changed anything lately, bulbs perhaps? What do you feed, how often and what sized portions? How long has the tank been set up?> Many thanks, Jamie <You're Welcome! Brenda>

My entire 52g tank wiped out - Anemone Toxins - 7/26/07 <Hi Kimmy> I have 3 saltwater aquariums: one 52g, a 40g hexagon, and a small hospital tank.<Okay> Recently, something went through and wiped out my entire tank. <I'm so sorry to hear that!> Not sure what it was, and hoping I might find some answers from you all. <Hope so!> My 52g was set up as a non-aggressive fish only tank. I had a Valentini puffer, 2 mated Clowns, a longnose butterfly, a blue tang <needs a larger tank>, a Hawkfish, and a high hat fish in there. I also had a pink tip Haitian anemone, a sea slug, cleaner shrimp, and a red legged hermit crab. My problems seem to have started with getting a chocolate chip starfish. I know that sounds crazy, <Not at all> but that's when they started. It was a very large star with quite an appetite. Needless to say, it ate my sea slug, and part of my anemone. <Yep, chocolate chip stars/Protoreastor nodosus are attractive, but have big appetites -- for just about anything.> Thinking that the anemone could regenerate itself, we left it in there. <Risky> It seemed for the first day to do just that, but it soon after, just died. <Recovery depends on how much damage was done, overall health prior to, and would need pristine water conditions.> It shriveled up and turned to mush. <Not good at all> We removed the starfish and put him into my hospital tank, by itself, hoping to save anything else from being eaten. Apparently, the shrimp we were feeding it wasn't enough. <Agreed> It was then that my fish began dying. First to go was the longnose butterfly. Next was the blue tang. These were followed by the Hawkfish, the mated <clown> pair (one and then the other), and lastly the high hat. The only one that didn't die was the Valentini puffer. <Tough little dude> He was taken out and placed in with the starfish in the hospital tank because I thought there must be something wrong with the water in the 52g. <Definitely> Needless to say, the Valentini ate and killed my starfish. <The sea star wasn't the only creature with a big appetite> I swear if it's not one thing it's another! <It sure seems that way sometimes, doesn't it, but hang in there!> We then placed the cleaner shrimp and the red legged hermit crab over into the hospital tank...woke up this morning, and the darn Valentini ate my cleaner shrimp too! I found that really strange because they were both the best of friends in the 52g. Weird huh? <You don't mention what size hospital tank they were all in, but considering a puffer's appetite, if it's pretty small tank/not a lot of hiding spaces, then that's not too surprising.> Anyhow, the water in the 52g has been tested repeatedly and tests fine. <even ammonia?> The tank looks great. Not sure what could have killed all of my fish. I do have a theory on this, let me share it with you. <Sure> All of this seems to have started after the star killed my anemone. <Yes indeed> I read someplace that the anemone has some sort of ink <?> in them which is poisonous. <Hmmm, nothing ink-like in an anemone> Do you think that maybe when the star ate the anemone, it released some of that poison into the water which could have killed all those fish? <I do believe that the death of the anemone was the factor here. Unfortunately, when one dies, it can pollute a tank very quickly.> Should we have removed it right away? < In hindsight (always 20/20!), we'd both say 'Yes!', but it's understandable that you'd have wanted to give it a chance to survive (especially if you were unaware of the possible consequences of it dying). The way I see a situation like this is that although it's very hard on an already stressed anemone to remove it, if you think it's failing, it's best to take it out. It's just not worth the risk.> It seemed as if all the fish who died had a really hard time breathing prior to their passing. <Have read of the same thing happening following anemone deaths.> The one who had it the worst was the blue tang...it even turned colors. <Yep, majorly stressed> I felt so bad about that! <Understandable!> I couldn't think of what to do to help it. We put it into the hospital tank <That's what you do!> and it seemed to help, but not much, and it died anyhow. <I'm so sorry. It must have been past the point of no return, and/or couldn't deal with the additional stress of capture/relocation.> The fish who died all seemed a bit disoriented and all acted strange prior to their passing. Have you ever heard of anything like that? <Not about being disoriented, but acting strangely, labored breathing - yes.> Any suggestions? <As for anemones in general, as stated earlier, they can cause real problems in a tank when they die. That's the sort of thing that's good to know ahead of time, and where researching the animals you plan to keep comes in handy. A complication with anemones is that with all that soft tissue, once they do die, decomposition can progress pretty rapidly. Please see WWM FAQ's for more on incidents like this (starting here): http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemhlthfaq6.htm > Should we empty the tank, clean it, and start completely over with it? <You can if you want, but I don't think it's necessary. I'd do several (at least three) large (at least 50%) water changes, run carbon, monitor water chemistry, and let the tank go fallow for about a month.> Is there something I can put in the water to make it ok for fish? <Unfortunately, no> Tests o.k.'s I dunno...unless it's that poison from the anemone. <My guess as well> Can't think of what else it would be. I hate thinking about having to empty it completely and start over when there is so much money into that tank already, <Agreed> it's been cycled and looks great. One thing I noticed too, after the star ate the anemone, the tank became so clean. <Hmmm> Prior to, we had a brown algae problem which was being handled by the turbo snails and the sea slug, the cleaner shrimp, and the red legged crab...but then BAM white clean. Almost like everything was bleached clean, but no bleach was near that tank. I can assure you that. Weird huh? <Mmmm, yes. Not sure what the deal was there> Another thing that caught my attention, and I thought maybe could have started this: During one of our last visits to the fish store, we picked up some more turbo snails for the tank. One of the snails had some green stuff on its back which we assumed was algae and thought not a lot about. That green stuff turned into bubbles of sorts. It looked really gross. Any idea what that stuff might have been? <Was it slimy? It sounds like Cyano/BGA - tons of info at WWM about this stuff.> Could it have been responsible for killing off my tank? <No> Be aware, during all of this, my water levels showed great. so I just haven't a clue what happened. <I'm surprised that the ammonia levels weren't elevated, but ??> Please help, Kimmy <Hope the above info helps. Again, sorry for your loss! Take care - Lynn)

Condylactis passiflora, intra species contention? Oh! Yes   7/10/07 Hi Crew, I have a minor but nagging problem with two small (3-4cm Foot size) Condylactis passiflora anemones in a small 25G Aqua-One 620 tank They have shared it with a Maroon clown <Needs more room...> and a royal Dottyback for about 7 months (tank about 4 years old). The lighting is quite poor ( 1 x 18W actinic and 1 X 18 W 14000K HPC) , but the tank is short, and they are halfway up it (probably about 25cm from light) and I feed them very small pieces of krill and silverside to try and make up for it about once a week and they have always seemed happy. About a month after I bought it this anemone divided (hence the two now), and ever since I noticed that always one or the other would look happy (large, extended) and the other not , but never both at the same time. <Interesting> Is it possible that even though these were originally the same animal, that they are now inhibiting each other via allelopathy? <I believe this might be so. Perhaps though genetically identical there is something here in the way of a mechanism to/driving distribution...> Just recently both moved due to my letting the water quality lapse (Nitrates got a bit high), and have resettled, but even though the quality has been fixed (PH 8.2, Salinity 1.025, Nitrates >40ppm, no Nitrites or Ammonia, Temp 24C) for about 3 weeks now, and all the other inhabitants are happy ( even three fussy Sabella feather dusters and other various little telltale tube worms I have) these two have both remained "Stubby looking" for almost 3 weeks, tentacles completely withdrawn and stubby (not actually closed up except for nighttime) and very small . They still accept food, and seem to ingest it , but no improvement. Could it be as simple as the light intensity finally bothering them? <Yes... and/or residual challenge/toxicity> I found a bristleworm about a month ago and decided to err on the side of caution and remove it, as it looked like one of the more predatory ones, have since seen some little tunnels made of substrate that I have come to suspect the bristleworms make appear here and there , would predatory bristleworms bother these guys? <Could, yes> The only other suspect is the clown, the anemone(s) established a quick relationship (not that they had a lot of choice) with him and both seemed happy with it. Since they have shriveled he is most unhappy about it and noses them all the time wanting them to open properly so he can ruffle in their tentacles, it may be that they are not appreciating his company any more (have had the same experience with some women myself ;-) ) <Mmmm, watch this... they're reading nowadays... and likely pretty soon will demand the right to vote, equal pay for equal work...> One more thing, I have not paid much attention to calcium/hardness/alkalinity in the water as the interrelationship of these factors and what they really mean to the water has always escaped me, no matter how hard I have tried to get a picture of their importance. Have pretty much always hoped that if Salinity and PH are OK in a crushed shell based substrate with Live rock, and I'm not adding anything, then these would probably be at acceptable levels. <This, these traits, characteristics/qualities have ways of catching up with you...> Can you please suggest which of these factors is most important, that I should focus on testing/understanding, e.g.. should I just measure calcium and be done with it? <Mmm, would be a good idea to do a bit of reading...> Would appreciate any feedback Cheers, Rama <Do give a read re Premnas systems, alkalinity and pH, biominerals... and Small marine systems period on WWM... the indices, search tool... "that'll be quite... time-consuming, Mmmm". Bob Fenner>

Re: Marine Aquarium Setup 7/5/07 Dear Chris, <Hello> Thank you for responding to my last email and answering my questions. I was wondering exactly what kind of corals that would be best fit in my tank given the animals and corals I have listed that I currently have from my last email. <I would not mix any corals with anemones.> Since it will be at least 90 gallons and 60" long and about 18"-20" tall I will have a lot of space. Also, what lighting would best fit these corals and benefit my tank the most. Thanks, Connor <The chemical warfare that will occur between the corals and anemones make it very difficult to mix these creatures. I do not recommend any corals while you have the anemone.> <Chris>

Anenome problem, repro.  -- 07/03/07 Hi, My husband's reef aquarium is 90 gal, we have had it for 2 years with little or no problems. Tonight, he fed his fish, brine and Mysis, the usual diet, within 20 minutes the 2 bubble tip anenomes <Are these clones? I do hope so> were emitting a white substance that has totally clouded the tank. <Mmm, very likely sex products...> He tested the water, everything has tested normal, along with the salinity. The fish seem o.k., along with the corals. We do not know what is happening with the anenomes. We have no R.O. water on hand to do a partial change and cannot see into the tank to remove the anenomes. We only hope that when we wake up tomorrow that we will not loose <lose> any of our fish. We have no new additions to our tank, the current fish have been in the tank along with the anenomes for over a year. Can you shed any light on this? Thanks so much. Janice <As stated, this is likely a reproductive event... Actinarians/Anemones do this as well as various degrees of asexual fission. Neat! I would make the largish water changes... and add activated carbon to your filter flow path... and spiff up (clean) your skimmer... Hopefully all the gametes will be eaten, removed, otherwise not cause a crash here. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Help! Everything is dying, induced prob.s from mis-stocking a small SW sys.  6/22/07 <Yeeikes!> Since November 2006, I have had a 24 gallon salt water aquarium. All the parameters (ph, nitrites, ammonia, nitrates, salinity, temperature) are in the normal range. I do bi-weekly water changes. Up until a week ago, the tank was thriving and doing well. In the past week; I have had my 6-line wrasse, <Needs more room...> the Chromis, the goby, and the feather duster all die. What I have left is a Clarks Clown Fish, <Perhaps the aggressor, factor here> an anemone, <This is too small a volume to house this animal> 2 skunk shrimp, 2 crabs, 1 starfish, <Species?> mushrooms, <Toxic with the anemone...> and snails. Prior to the death of any fish I had added some live rock with purple-teal mushrooms established on the rock. A couple of days later, I found 2 dead fish. So, immediately I checked everything and everything was in ideal ranges. <Mmm, I/we should qualify your stmt. that "Everything you tested" seemed perfect... There are many aspects for which there are no tests (currently)> After the death of the 1st two fish; we found a break in the pump wire and thought that my fish my have been electrocuted. We replaced the pump. <Yikes!> Today, I found my Gobi in the "mouth" of my anemone. I didn't know that an anemone was a carnivore. <Oh yes...> So, now what do I check. I am in the dark about what to do. Please Help! Janet <Pretty simple and yet time-involved... You need to read re the species you have... their Compatibility, Systems especially... on WWM... Please learn to/use the search tool, indices... What you list is incompatible, too crowded to "give you much chance" of success... Likely negative interaction twixt the anemone and shrooms poisoned all... Bob Fenner>
Re: Help! Everything is dying   6/23/07 Just curious, why would things start dying now? They have been together in the tank for 6 months without any problems? <... read on... your msg., where you were referred re compatibility. B>

Nudibranch/Anemone Slime Upsetting Fish? Yep! 6/6/07 Hello, <Greetings, Mich with you today.> I had a quick question about the effects of nudibranch or anemone slime on fish. I added a rock flower anemone, a couple cerith snails, and a lettuce nudibranch (I got a bit of hair algae for him to get rid of) into my tank today and while acclimating them and adding them into the tank a great deal of the slime they had produced while in their bags went into the water. <Yikes!> I tried to remove some of it but couldn't get it all. Anyway, about 2 hours after adding in these items my four fish (2 true Percs, a bicolor blenny, and a purple Pseudochromis) began to scratch their faces/ gills on rocks. They then stopped for a while but began to scratch again a few hours later. <Likely a reaction to the toxins introduced into the system.> I have had a problem in the past with ich but I made sure to quarantine all the fish for 6 weeks using hypo salinity and left the main tank free of fish as well. The hypo salinity seemed to work as all the fish returned to a relaxed state and their symptoms of ich went away so after their long quarantine period they were reintroduced into the main tank. It has been 2-3 months since this outbreak and they have shown no signs of ich since. I have also added no new fish into the tank since then. <Ok.> Basically, my question is whether or not their sudden scratching could be from the introduction of these new inverts and the slime they produced during their long journey from the fish store or if the fish have ich or some other parasite infestation again and just be chance they didn't begin to feel it until 2 hours after I introduced the new items? <Probably a result of the chemical hazards added to your tank.> After testing my water my results were normal. <Ok.> In your opinion, should I prepare for a possible parasite infestation or wait and observe the fish before acting? <I would wait and observe, though this stress response can weaken the immune system allowing parasitic organisms a more favorable foothold.> Also, do fish ever scratch on rocks to mark territory? <Mmm, not that I'm aware of.> I am guessing the answer is no but it was worth asking because my fish seemed to all scratch on the rocks around the same time and then suddenly stop almost in unison. <Again, no doubt a response to environmental stress. You should add an extra bag of carbon ASAP and consider a larger water change.> Thanks for any advice you can give me and sorry if this has been answered before. <Hope this helps. Mich>

Combining Anemone Species...Never Recommended - 05/27/07 Hi, <<Hello>> I have a dilemma going on in my tank. <<Let's see if I can help resolve it>> I have a Condy and a Long Tentacle Anemone in my 55 gal tank <<Not compatible>> - I know, wrong thing to do, but as most new salt water aquarists, we didn't do our homework first. <<Ahh...so you have learned from the experience then?>> It's been a learning experience for us- with a quickness. <<Hee-hee!...Indeed>> Anyway, needless to say, the Condy decided to take a ride with the currents, found itself on top of our fairly large LTA, but we weren't home when their meeting took place. <<Uh-oh...and the Condylactis Anemone's sojourn was likely due to these animals sensing each other/releasing stinging cells to the water column...>> We were gone a few hours, but when we came home the LTA was completely pulled inside out I think boot, and tentacles all rolled into one small grey/white ball with tiny tentacles hanging out. <<Definitely a sign of distress>> What should I do to help him to get better? <<Remove the Condylactis...assure optimum water quality>> For now, I was told to get a strawberry container and cage the Condy until I find him a new home. What is your suggestion? <<As stated...the animals can/will sense each others presence and have the capacity to wage war from afar. You need to "remove the Condylactis Anemone from the aquarium">> Anxiously waiting your oh so knowledgeable advice. Thanks, Carolyn <<Glad to be of service. EricR>>

Condylactis vs. Long Tentacle Anemone - 5/28/07 Hi <Hi Carolyn, Brenda here> I have a dilemma going on in my tank. I have a Condy and a long tentacle anemone in my 55 gal tank. <Yikes!> I know, wrong thing to do, but as most new salt water aquarists, we didn't do our homework first. It's been a learning experience for us- with quickness. Anyway, needless to say, the Condy decided to take a ride with the currents, found itself on top of our fairly large LTA, but we weren't home when their meeting took place. <How long has your tank been established?> We were gone a few hours, but when we came home the LTA was completely pulled inside out I think boot, and tentacles all rolled into one small grey/white ball with tiny tentacles hanging out. <Grey / white ball does not sound good.> I'm not sure if he is dead or what I should do to help him to get better. For now, I was told to get a strawberry container and cage the Condy until I find him a new home. What is your suggestion? <You definitely need to separate them. I need more information regarding your tank to know if you are able to support an anemone. The fact that one took a ride in the current tells me something else may be going on. Please give me your equipment list, other tank mates, tank size, age of set up, age of bulbs, and all of your water parameters. A picture of the LTA would also help.> Anxiously waiting your oh so knowledgeable advice. Thanks, Carolyn <You're welcome! Brenda>
One More Thing Re: Condylactis vs. Long Tentacle Anemone - 5/28/07 One more thing...I don't have a 2nd salt water tank...its Memorial Day weekend, fish stores closed, what shall I do in the mean time for my LTA's safety? Can I really cage the Condy with a strawberry container? <You can, by placing the basket over the anemone. It may be a bit stressful on the anemone. You could also watch it closely while you are at home.> How many watts of light should we have in our 55 gal tank for anemones? <It really depends on what type of bulb you are using. Are you using metal halide, T-5 or PC bulb?> What type/brand do you recommend? <I prefer metal halide or T-5 bulbs. Any name brand bulb should be fine.> Also what do you know about brown/ kind of like hair algae growing on all /actually some of our rocks? <New tank? Brenda>

New Bubble Tip Anemone, New System, Over Stocking -- 5/13/07 Hi Bob - Thanks for the site - certainly the first port of call for any queries. <Hi Colin, Brenda here!  Thanks for the positive feedback!  I received both of your e-mails and I will answer both together.> Yesterday we bought a large bubble anemone. On the receipt, it called it a "purple base maroon anemone", but I cannot find references to that on the web. <Try searching Bubble Tip Anemone and/or Entacmaea quadricolor.> We were told at the store that the anemone likes to adhere to rocks, rather than the sand at the bottom of the tank. However, when we put it on a rock near the top (to be close to the light) it quickly detached and started floating around.  This was a worry, because we also have a large carpet anemone that seems to be doing fine, and we didn't want the two to come into contact with each other. <Two different anemone species should not be kept in the same tank.> Anyway, the anemone seemed to like the gravel at the bottom of the tank better. It became very large indeed (dinner plate size), and even looked as though it may be splitting.  It seemed to be starting to settle. It looked great actually.  But when I got up this morning the entire anemone was sandwiched between two large (40lb) rocks. It has flattened itself out, and is sitting a wide but thin the crevice between the rocks. It does not seem to have reduced its surface area that much - but it is flat like a pancake in the crevice. My guess is that it may be responding to the stress of being manhandled a lot last night. <I don't recommend handling the anemone, other than to place into the tank.  There is a lot of stress involved when an anemone is moved from one place to another.  This includes from the LFS to your home.> But is it dying? <I don't know, would have to see a picture.> Ours is a new system; we finished the cycle three weeks ago, and everything looks good. <Ouch!!!!!  New system?  Anemones need stable, established environments.  Most systems take 6 months to a year to become established.> We have a 120 gallon tank with a 50 gallon refugium. We live on the beach in south Florida so we filled the tank from the sea. Nitrates, nitrites and ammonia all look good. We have a protein skimmer. Circulation is good. When we put the anemone in, we noticed the pH was only 7.8 so we put some buffer in. <I don't recommend the use of pH buffers.  You need to be monitoring calcium, alkalinity and magnesium, with a full understanding of their relationship to each other.> We did a 20% water change about 4 days ago. Also, our temperature might be a bit high at 80-83. <80 -- 81 is fine, anything higher is too warm.> We have only 4 60W 2 foot fluorescent bulbs providing light. We are working on getting some more light. <That is not nearly enough lighting for either anemone.  Both of your anemones will quickly decline under your current lighting.> Over the last three weeks we have put in: A large carpet anemone, a sail fin tang, a powder brown tang, two saddle back clowns, a volitans lion (not eating dead food yet, but showing promise), 3 sally lightfoot crabs, 2 emerald crabs 15 assorted hermits, + 1 small blue damsel left over from the cycle. Everything has been doing fine. <You are WAY over stocked for such a new tank.> Yesterday we added: Two large black percula clowns, they fought a little with the saddles, but seem to have calmed down, pretty much kicked the saddles off the carpet anemone. <Your system is too small for more than one pair of clownfish.  They will eventually fight until the death of one or more.> The bubble anemone, Two electric flame scallops (one of these might have come into contact with the anemone.) <You need to slow down here.  I suggest returning the two anemones.  At this stage in your new system, I recommend keeping no more than the damsel and one pair of the clownfish, at the very most.  Everything else should be returned.  Please search WWM regarding cycling, stocking, toxic water, live stock compatibility, and established systems.> Thanks for any help, Colin Second E-mail from Colin: Bob - Sorry for repeat mail. I have something to add to my previous mail: part of the anemone can be seen through the back of the tank. The tentacles are somewhat inflated. <It is stressed, and will only decline.> It seems to be sucking in one of the scallops. I cannot reach in there to pull off the scallop, and I don't want to move the rock because it is very heavy, and I will probably damage the anemone. <Not a good situation you are in.  The anemone will not do well in your system.  Moving it is going to cause stress.  However, removing and returning the anemone is going to be the best option for the long term health of the anemones.> Thanks again, Colin <You're Welcome!  Brenda>

Re: Cinnamon update, iatrogenic troubles    4/30/07 Greetings again! I thought I would update you on the 36 bowfront. I had the sebae and the carpet with the two cinnamons. with lots of macroalgae planted in the sandbed) Well, there was a "disaster" but not what I was expecting from your advice. As soon as I made up my mind to find a new home for the sebae, The weirdest thing happened. I got up in the morning and inspected the tank, and lo and behold, the decorator crab (approx 6 inches) <!> had white "tuffs" of something attached all over his legs....now this little bugger had eaten my scooter blennies so I gave up adding any more creatures to my tank. <Good> Any way, my eye caught something floating at the top, and yes, you guessed it, it was the dead sebae. <...> I immediately scooped it out and did a water change. When I got home from work that night, all was well. That weekend, I fell totally in love with a huge blood shrimp. I brought him home and acclimated him. He is so beautiful!! My  friends had mentioned that the decorator crab could eat my shrimp (YIKES!) <Yes> so I delegated the decorator crab to the sump/refugium of my frag tank and immediately put the word out that he is free to a good home. Now, my sump/refugium was built by a friend and it is modified with a small "box" like area to hold the pump portion of the skimmer so the macroalgae won't be "sucked" into the intake areas of the pump. I thought this was a totally cool modification). The skimmer was not in this boxed area yet, as I am in the process of upgrading my Prizm. Now Sebastian was very happy in the refugium, pulling pieces of macroalgae off and decorating himself. One morning I couldn't find him amongst the prolific Caulerpa (sp?). That fact slipped my mind and several days went by. I finally got in there to trim the macroalgae and poor Sebastian (may he rest in peace) had committed suicide by getting himself stuck in the skimmer "box" area! I fished him out (giving him the appropriate burial at sea so to speak). That being said, would it be safe to add another blood shrimp to the 36 bowfront? <Likely so> To recap, the inhabitants are: 4 inch cinnamon, 2 inch cinnamon, carpet anemone, scissortail damsel, 6 or 7 very large hermit crabs, <... I would give these away> (living in turbo snail shells) a mystery hermit, a blood shrimp. some assorted snails and a serpent star. It is filtered by a hang on refugium and a CPR backpack with about 30 pounds of live rock. The female cinnamon is letting the male come around the carpet and he sits on the edge. I don't see him "sleeping" in the carpet, which is probably a good idea since he may become dinner for the carpet since he is so small. <No... you need to read my friend...> NOW the female is sleeping UNDER the carpet. (which is attached to the rock approx in the middle portion of the tank) There have been may weeks of courtship dancing, so I don't know if she is trying to lay eggs, or what. In the beginning I just wanted them to get along, but yesterday I ordered every book I could find about clownfish. Thank you again for such a wonder site, and keep up the excellent work! Julie <Am endeavouring to do so... Cheers, BobF>

Mixing Anemones and Sessile Inverts.  4/26/07 I have a 155 gal. tank with different polyps, pink branch birdsnest, and xenia. I have a bulb anemone that has been in my tank for about six mon. I found a rose bulb that I want to trade mine in for. I plan to have more corals nothing fancy just the type I have and maybe a brain, plate, and open brain will an anemone walk around and sting and kill your corals, <Tis a risk, one that many people take and are happy with....but a risk nonetheless.> I would hate to pay this much for an anemone just to get rid of it one day. <Depends on if the risk is worth it, and only you can answer than question. For me personally, it's not a risk I would take again, as I <? RMF>

Puffer and BTA as Tank Mates?  4/18/07 Hi again, <Hello, Brenda here>   I had another question, this one about my Saddled Valentini Puffer.  He lives in a FOWLR tank with a fuzzy dwarf lionfish.  I have been considering a BTA, and the puffer tank is the only one without corals so it seemed to be a good choice for the anemone. <Puffers and anemones should never be kept together.> I have read that every puffer is different and some may not pick on coral and inverts but others will.  I know that my puffer will eats snails, but there have been polyps and 2 small mushrooms that appeared on the rock and he has never bothered those.  I guess my question should be:  Is there some way to know if my puffer will kill a BTA without just putting one in there and waiting to see? <It is safe to assume here that it will nip at the anemone.> I would rather not risk the life of the anemone without some assurance.   This might sound stupid, but what if I put a fake anemone in there and see if he chews on it?  (don't laugh)  I'm hoping that you have a better suggestion. Carrie <My only suggestion here is to avoid this combination completely.  Brenda>

Death of LTA Causing Pollution -- 3/29/07 Hi crew, <Hello, Brenda here> I haven't written in a while, but have a somewhat urgent question that I can't find the answer to.  I had a purple long tentacle anemone that mysteriously decided to leave his spot in a rock and apparently somehow tore his foot in the process.  He actually looked as if I had forcibly moved it.  I never touched it by the way.   <Did it come in contact with a power head?> Anyway it was injured and then began to go downhill and within a couple of days totally disintegrated, died and had to be removed.  In the process of removing it, it pretty much came apart and many parts of it (very small parts) went everywhere throughout the tank.   <Yikes!> The tank is 150 gallon with a large ASM skimmer so I wasn't too concerned and figured that the skimmer would take care of getting the stuff out of the water, along with the crabs. <Not necessarily fast enough.  I suggest a large water change also.  I also don't recommend crabs with anemones.   Crabs have been known to pester and attack these creatures.> I have no idea what happened to make him move or why he died, but my question really is this:  I have a tube anemone that I have had about two weeks. <Your tube anemone is likely the reason your LTA decided to move.  You should not house two anemones in one system.> He has been very active and healthy, stays totally open all the time and looks gorgeous; he has never closed since I have had it.  This morning I get up and the tube anemone is TOTALLY closed.   <Check your water parameters.> I have not seen this at all since I got it.  Last night he was wonderful and seemed normal.  Could he be suffering some sort of reaction to the death of the purple anemone? <Yes, from the pollution.> I have heard something about toxins getting in the tank when anemones die. Would this have happened and caused the other to have problems? <Yes, ammonia is extremely toxic.>   My water parameters were tested the day before the purple anemone died and they were all perfect.  No ammonia, no nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, SG1.024, <Salinity at 1.026 is best for anemones.> Temp is always 78-81 night to day and I have lots of light MH and actinic, lots.  The calcium is steady at 440 to 460 and the ph 8.4.  These tests were the day before the purple anemone death; I have not tested this morning. Any help or insight into this would be most helpful.  I don't want to lose this other anemone too. <You definitely need to monitor your water parameters closely after something dies.  Have saltwater ready at all times in case of an emergency.> Thanks,  Debi <You're welcome!  Brenda>

Help with Gorgonian and anemone   3/29/07 Hello, <Hi there> It was suggested I contact "Fenner or Borneman" <Mmmm, EricB is elsewhere> In reference to what seems to be an anemone that came with a "blueberry" gorgonian that I got.  The gorgonian has changed colors and I thought it was dead, but it appears to be growing at the tips, so I don't know if it is dead or some dormant state or shed its tissue or what. <Mmm, these and many other octocorals can/do change color from lighting, feeding, water quality circumstances...>   The other question is did the anemone injure or kill the gorgonian? <Maybe> I'm told it is a wrapping gorgonian anemone.  Here is the thread where there has been some discussion: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s= < http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1082557> &threadid=1082557 Any help and/or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Rick <Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm Scroll down to the tray on Anemones, the articles and FAQs toward the bottom there on Aiptasia, Anemonia, Other Pest Anemones. Bob Fenner>

Butterfly Attacking Anemone   3/19/07 Hello <Hi!  Mich here.> I love your site and it has helped answer a lot of my questions in  the past. <Glad to hear!> However, 2 days ago I stopped into the fish store and since my tank has cycled I was interested in maybe purchasing and anemone. I told the  owners what I had in my tank: only a raccoon butterfly fish and a cleaner shrimp... <Anemones and Raccoon Butterfly are NOT suitable tank mates.> I was not really planning on purchasing anything when I came in and  stupidly did not do any research, <Hopefully, you will not repeat this mistake.> however, the owner said that they would not bother it and recommended a  Haitian pink tip anemone. <This is why YOU have to do the research. Anemones are the Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula) most favorite snack, sort of like chocolate for many women... a temptation too great to resist.  In fact, if a newly introduced Raccoon Butterflyfish is not eating when introduced, one trick to get it to feed is to offer a small anemone.  More here and links in blue:   http://www.wetwebmedia.com/raccoon.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condybehfaq.htm  > At this time I  also purchased a small piece of pulsing xenia with a small piece of  hard coral attached.   <Anemones are the favorite but no inverts or corals are safe with this fish.  Xenia will likely be eaten also. More here and links in blue:   http://www.wetwebmedia.com/xeniidarts.htm  > All seemed fine the day I brought it home and  yesterday but this evening I came home and found my butterfly fish biting my  anemone. <Yep!> I threw some Mysis in the tank to try to distract it and then proceeded  to remove the anemone and presently have it in a ventilated plastic box in my aquarium. <A temporary solution.> After this I started looking on the Internet and found out that they  are one of their predators, correct? <Absolutely.> The anemone is able to attach itself to  the side of the box but on some of its tentacles where it was bitten, it is fine  up until the bite and is all shriveled up and grey and droopy. <Mmm, yes, is unhappy'¦ lost an appendage...> I was  wondering if it would be able to recover and what were its chances? <Hopefully.> or if  you has any suggestions. <Yes, return the anemone.  These creatures are, in my opinion, disasters waiting to happen because of their mobile tendency.  Then get the bible:  The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert M. Fenner... read it.  Decide if you want a fish only tank or a reef tank and plan accordingly.>    Thank you <Welcome!  -Mich>

Overstocked with Anemones 3/13/07 Hi, <Hello, Brenda here> I couldn't find the answer to this, I have looked.  I have a BioCube 29.  It is 4 months old.  It's doing pretty well, except the nitrates are 20. <Need to be zero.> We are working on this and have just installed a protein skimmer. <Good> I now know not to trust the LFS. <Excellent!> They said a Sebae was a hardy anemone. <It is considered a difficult anemone.  Your tank is not old enough for an anemone.> It is still a light brown, it looks pretty healthy, but it has picked up and wants to hide behind rocks.  I have been trying to feed it Mysis shrimp with baster.  I can't tell if it's taking it because it closes up kind of. <Anemones will compress to get the food to their mouth.  Sounds to me like it is eating.> It's never been sticky since we've had it, about three weeks. <It's not a healthy anemone if it is not sticky.  It's able to hold on to food?  It should be sticky then.> It also turns upside down or on its side and keeps half way closed.  Its mouth is not gaping. We have a blue damsel, lawnmower blenny, 2 Turbos, an emerald crab, 2 clowns (Nemos), button polyps, a rock anemone, mushrooms, and a "common" anemone (kind of white with pinkish tips). <You have too many anemones.  More than one species to a tank will cause problems.  Your tank is also border line for one anemone, unless you are experienced with anemones.    Crabs can not be trusted with anemones.> Should I take the Sebae back to the store so it can live? <Yes> It seemed quite healthy when I got it.  It's a good fish store, it's just that some employees don't know enough it seems.   <You need to research before you purchase.> Is my tank too crowded? <Yes> It is very peaceful. <There is likely chemical war going on in a 29 gallon tank housing three anemones.  It is not peaceful.> Thanks Millions, Amy <You're welcome.  Brenda>
Re:  Overstocked with Anemones 3/13/07 Hello, I read further before you answered and realized that at the very least, I don't have the light. <Yes, that is a big problem.> I just hate the thought of killing something and I have a three year old running around and she doesn't understand I have to read. <I also hate the thought of something dieing.  Ouch, 3 year old and reading?  I remember those days!  However, you also have a responsibility to the animals that you bring into your home.  Saltwater tanks need attention too.> We took it back this afternoon. <Good to hear.> They thought it was healthy enough, so that's good.  The weird thing though is that I asked about the common anemone and the rock anemone having the chemical warfare like you said and he said "no, it's more of a contact kind of thing".  He also said a white Sebae is fine.   <Sorry, he lied to you, or he just doesn't have the knowledge.  I'm sure he has no written documentation to back that statement up.> It's when they are translucent that it is a problem. <That is also a problem.  It usually comes right after or with the bleaching, or the expelling of zooxanthellae, which is the same as bleaching.> He wouldn't argue with me, he just said he doesn't believe in the internet. <I'm sure he doesn't.  There is too much information available.  It is likely hurting his business.> He also said he's one of the best fish breeders in the country. <He may be one of the best fish breeders in the country.  His fish may be healthy.  Then again, he may not be telling the truth.  A 'white' Sebae is far from healthy.> I understand that everyone has their opinions about what works best, but these two things seem like factual matters.  What's a person to believe? <You are correct, these are factual matters.  Believe yourself; take some time to do your own research.  I have spent years researching these creatures, and feel confident in the advice I give others.  Have you given any thought to joining a local reef club?> I believe you guys 100%.  The only thing I will add to my tank is more live rock.  I couldn't get the common anemone off his rock, but I will bring him back too when he does let go.  Do you think those two are fighting and I can't see it?  I can't yank him off, but I can work on it. <No, yanking on an anemone.  You will tear him.  Try aiming a power head at him to get him to move.  They do not have to be next to each other to sense their presence.> Since I have you here, do you think I should get rid of the lawnmower?  He does eat flakes and pellets and Mysis. <They survive on algae.  There are algae type foods that you can give him.> He was recommended also.  I guess it's a lot of stuff for an employee to know, but I wish they would tell me they don't know if they don't. <Yes, we all wish that.  Remember, they are they for your money.  Walk in with some knowledge.> You know, I had a tank over 15 years ago, fish only with one anemone.  He was great for a long time and he had a clown fish.  One day he just died.  Now I know why.  Not enough light.  Things were somewhat different back then.  I'm surprised at all the changes. <Yes, technology and research has come a long way.> Really, Thanks a Lot!! Amy <You did the right thing Amy!  Remember to research before you buy.  Brenda>

Sebae... anemone, Carpet and Euphyllia, in a 36 gal., oh my!   2/26/07 Hello Wetwebmedia crew! <Julie> I recommend your site to all of our fellow reefers, and I use it often myself. Thank you for this vital and informative service. Now to my question. I have a 36 gallon bowfront with 96 watt power compacts. I have a carpet anemone <A dangerously small volume for this/these species> that hosts a 4 inch cinnamon clown.( I know he is a little large, but I'm a sucker for fish no one wants. He was brought into the fish store as an exchange, and looked so pitiful I adopted him) The are inseparable. Now, I purchased a considerably smaller cinnamon approximately 1.5 inches. He happily adapted to his surroundings, but, being the intelligent little creature he is, he steered clear of the carpet for what I assume are two reasons: the larger cinnamon won't let him anywhere near his carpet, and he didn't want to become lunch for that same carpet. <All take time to "become familiar"... as you're likely aware> So, he persistently rubbed all three heads off of my frogspawn. (sigh). <Yikes... this Euphylliid is in this small volume with a Carpet?> I purchased a sebae anemone for him and both are happily living in the opposite corner of the tank after a period of traveling around finding just the right spot. <A time bomb...> Now, my question is, after reading about coloration of the sebae, mine is the "stark white" color with purple tips. <Bleached...> It has been this way since purchase approximately 2 months ago. The carpet was a very white color also when I purchased it a year ago, but since turned a dingy brownish color. (after reading up on anemones, I assume this is a good thing) <Mmm, yes... is improving.... reincorporating zooxanthellae...> Now, the sebae settled down at the bottom of the tank and has remained there for the last couple of weeks. It looks full and healthy, but the color concerns me. Will it take on the dingy brown color like my carpet? <Perhaps in time... but much more likely you will have an extreme-enough allelopathogenic event here... with the clowns being killed, and all else... with one of the anemones being last "to go"> Both anemones eat small chopped up "prime reef" and "squid" about once a week or longer. I have a hob refugium and a CPR backpack with 1/3 of the space being taken up with live rock. I also have quite a bit of macro algae growing in the tank (rooted in the sand) <Good... this gear and the algae have forestalled the event mentioned above> various snails and hermits, a cleaner shrimp, a decorator crab and small black scissor tailed damsel. (oh I almost forgot a brittle star that I only see with the flashlight when lights are out). This tank has never had anything expire in it save for the occasional war over a shell between a hermit and snail. About six months ago I had an outbreak of brown algae, which the snails cleaned up promptly and still keep everything nice and clean. So do you think my sebae being so white will "color up" given more time? <I think all will die if the anemones are not separated> I was quite surprise to read where the white color is not a good thing, since every single sebae I have seen at the local fish stores are the stark white color with the purple tips that look exactly like mine. Thank you for all that you do for our hobby (i.e.-read here addiction) Julie B <Please read here (heeee!): http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemcompfaqs.htm and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Anemone vs. Xenia...Help!   2/20/07 My anemone relocated right next to my zennia. <Uh-oh.> It keeps taking the  zennia <xenia> in its mouth and now some of the zennia branches are dropping of as they  act like they have been strangled. <They are being attacked both physically and chemically.>   I don't know how to move the anemone or  the zennia.<xenia> <I would suggest searching WWM re fragging the xenia...it is my opinion that the anemone would be more difficult in forcefully removing the anemone (if it has "rooted"). Another option is relocating the entire rock to another "more undesirable" spot in the tank to encourage the anemone to move elsewhere. Unfortunately this is one of the possible outcomes when you mix moving cnidaria like anemones and sessile invertebrates.> please advise.  thanks you <Adam J.>

Mandarin & anemone compatibility   2/20/07 Hi, I'm currently setting up a 75 gallon aquarium. I've just finished building my 29 gallon sump, and am going to drill my tank for the plumbing in the next week. I plan on getting about 100 pounds of live rock. I'll put like 5 or so pounds in the sump so pods can reproduce. I also have a refugium area in the sump to grow some macro. Ever since I saw a mandarin I've wanted one. They're awesome looking creatures. I think that I should have enough food for a mandarin (after waiting about a year for the pod population to go up of course). I have also always wanted a clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) and anemone pair. Now, onto my questions. A bubble-tip anemone will host a clown right? Can one large anemone host two clownfish? I thought that I read on your site somewhere that you shouldn't mix an anemone and a mandarin because the mandarin can fall victim to the anemone. Is this true? If it is, can you attempt to place the anemone away from most of the rock in the tank so the mandarin is less likely to go near or sleep next to the anemone? I'm still a ways away from getting water in my tank, let alone getting fish or inverts. Planning is always a good thing though. Thanks in advance, Joe <<Joe: Most likely you heard something about not mixing carpet anemones with Mandarins.  Mandarins are slow and tend to hang out at the bottom of a tank and carpets are very sticky.  When you are ready, your best bet for a starter anemone would be a Bubble Tip Entacmaea quadricolor clone that has split in another Reefkeeper's tank.  They are pretty hardy and you won't be trying to take care of an anemone that was just pulled out of the ocean. The Bubble Tip will tend to stay high up on your rocks near the lights.  Thus, there is less of a chance that the Mandarin would bump into it. Regarding the clowns, if you can purchase captive bred ones which have been raised with anemones, your clowns will host right away.  If not, it could take months for the clowns to host, if ever.  If you have the anemone already established in the tank when you introduce the clowns, I think your hosting chances will improve.  Depending on its size, a Bubble Tip anemone can host multiple clowns.  Mine host up to 4 at a time. Best of luck, Roy>>

Condylactis gigantea, BTA, Entacmaea Quadricolor Problems -- 2/8/07 <Brenda here> I have a 55 gal reef tank.  I have about 90 lbs of sand, 100lbs of live rock, Fuji. I have 384 watts of actinic and 2-250 watts of halide. <That's a lot of light!> I have in there now a porcelain crab, 4 hermits, 2 red skunk cleaners, 3 Clarkii clowns, 1 zebra Turbo snail and plenty Nassarius snails about 25, 1 Condylactis gigantea purple tip. I just added a mushroom coral, a Rhodactis, it is a leather, and a Rose Bubble Tip anemone. <Yikes!  You need to decide which anemone you want to keep, and remove the other.  Also three clowns in your system will result in problems as they mature.  I suggest removing one clown also.> I put her in 3 days ago all levels ok. <Please list actual test results next time.> When I first put it in she moved across the rocks on one side that I have set up for the anemone away from the Condi anemone.  She found a place up side down and close to a power head so I turned the rock so she would face the lighting and away from being really close to the power head. <Your anemone will move where it is the happiest.  It was also under stress when introduced to its new home, moving it will only add more stress.  It also needs time to adjust to its new environment, including the lighting.  It was most likely under much less lighting before it reached your tank.  If those power heads are not covered to protect your anemone, it will eventually get sucked in and shredded.> She was doing ok, still showing her trunk and tentacles still small. <It may be hungry.  Feed meaty foods such as silversides, krill, Mysis shrimp or raw shrimp.> Then she extended more and the second day her tentacles had got some what bigger still showing her trunk. She had a little to eat and then the third morning its mouth is open tentacles small trunk very small. What could be causing this activity? <It definitely needs to be separated from the Condylactis.  Mixing anemones is never a good idea.  It will cause chemical war between the two.  Without a picture of the anemone when you first got it, it's impossible to tell if you purchased a healthy one.  There was no mention of the age of your set up.  It is recommended that a tank be a minimum of six months old and stable before adding an anemone.  Please search WetWebMedia for more information on these anemones.  It sounds like you may have a couple of things going on here.   Brenda>

Coral/Anemone Compatibility 1/29/07 Hello, <Hi Mike> As everyone says at the beginning of their letters, "Thanks for all of your help and knowledge that you pass on to those of us who love this hobby." <Welcome.> This site really is a great resource and I really appreciate the time, passion and knowledge you all impart to us lesser beings. Anyway, I just have a quick question that I cannot find the answer to anywhere. The night before last, my bubbletip anemone (huge) decided for some reason that his spot in the tank that he has resided at for the last four years was no longer suitable. As he made his way around the tank, either he or his partner in crime (maroon clownfish) knocked a new frag of plating Monitpora down (I had not "glued" it in place yet, was waiting to make sure it was happy with its spot first). As luck would have it, the Montipora spent the night in the tentacles of the anemone. I have not seen the polyps of the Montipora since (my sons call the polyps, Cheerios). Is the Montipora doomed? Is there anything I can do to help or do I now just have an expensive decoration for my tank?   The only other difference in the tank is that the clownfish has been fanning substrate out of the way clouding up the tank. I have been gently squirting the residue off with a turkey baster. I wish now that I didn't have the anemone because I enjoy growing corals, but it has become such a fixture in the tank that I don't have the heart to part with it. <This is exactly why we do not recommend keeping corals with anemones. As for being doomed, time will tell.  I'd say it's not off to  a good start for sure.>   Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can impart, <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)> Mike

Tang Wrangling Anemone - 01/28/2007 Hi, have looked all through information on anemone stings and I found found nothing about stings on other fish.   <I know we have such queries....  somewhere....  a google search of WWM on "anemone sting" might provide some useful information.> I have a yellow tang that was being terrorized by another fish in the tank.   <How big is the tank?  What fish was responsible for terrorizing the tang?  Sounds like some potentially dangerous incompatibilities....> As he dashed about I saw him dash thru the anemone.   <Oh dear....  And what sort of anemone?> I didn't  think much about it and I put a divider in the tank so  that I could let him recover from, the nipping fish and hope to identify the fish nipper.   <Ah, I see.  Culprit not yet identified, gotcha.  I'm glad you're trying to get to the root of it!> I have a tomato clown, strawberry basslet <Either of these can be aggressive....  In a large enough system, though, neither should be of much threat to the tang.  I am curious how large this tank is, and if it perhaps is not providing them enough territory.> 4 green chromis <Not the problem, I'm sure.  Placid little guys.> and yellow tang, and the anemone.   <I would like to urge you to look through our anemone FAQs; I would rarely if ever recommend an anemone in any fish tank, aside from captive-propagated bubble-tip anemones, and even then, best to keep them in systems where they will not be harmed, and they will not harm fish.  Anemones just don't make great additions in fish tanks.  A reef tank might elicit a different opinion from me, but on that hand, anemones often don't mix well with corals, so....  Basically, were it *me*, and I intended to have an anemone, I'd go with a bubble-tip and I would base my aquarium and stocking plan around the anemone's needs and potential threats.> The next day I was looking at his fins as I had put some vita chem in the tank to stimulate fin growth ad I noticed bubbled areas in the lower sides.  I's sure it must be the anemone stings.   <Oh yes, quite likely.> A few day have past  and one side is much better, while the other is still a red sore.  Will  this heal OK <Only time can tell.> or do I need to help with something?   <Removing him to a quarantine tank where you can observe him well and provide him with pristine water conditions would be ideal.  At this point, I might consider treating with a good antibiotic (Kanamycin sulfate, Nitrofurazone....) to prevent secondary infection in these wounds - but DO NOT do this in the main tank, lest you risk destroying your anemone and in turn the rest of your livestock when the anemone keels over.  Furthermore, once the tang is healed, don't return it to this system.  Either the tang or the terrorizer needs to go, or you'll be in the same situation again soon, more than likely.> I have been using VitaChem.  Thanks for your time.  -Debbie <All the best to you and your wounded tang,  -Sabrina>

Mystery Tentacle Snipper -- 12/29/06 Hello, <<Hello>> I have a green BTA and every now and then (three months or so) I see one of its tentacles on the bottom of the tank or elsewhere in the tank. <<Hmm...>> It is normal looking tissue, good coloring but usually vanishes soon after.  I only have one percula, some Turbos, two very small blue-leg reef crabs, and a boxer anemone crab.  Any help is appreciated. <<Can't say I've ever heard of these anemones "shedding" tentacles...unless maybe it's a defensive reaction.  More likely something is snipping these tentacles off...you may have an unintentional and unwanted visitor vis-à-vis your live rock.  Some nocturnal inspections may reveal the culprit.  You could also try sinking a small glass jar in to the substrate with a bit of shrimp, clam, etc. and see what turns up.  Do also have a close watch of that boxer crab to make sure this isn't the cause.  Regards, EricR>><RMF's bet is on the Boxer Anemone Crab...>

Mystery Tentacle Snipper - 12/29/06 Thanks very much. <<Happy to share.  And BTW, Bob is pretty sure your problem is the Boxer Anemone Crab so it might be wise to concentrate your investigation there.  EricR>>

Did the anemone kill the fish?   11/14/06 I look to ya'll website for help on everything, so I was hoping you can help me with a question. (sorry if its already on the website, I looked but didn't seem to see it) I had an anemone for the past month or so in my 55 gallon tank. It had gotten sucked up into my filter, we of course turned off the filter and it hung on for several more days before it finally died. We cleaned out the tank yesterday morning (we noticed the anemone dead late the night before), it was about a 25% water change, and when I tried to pick up the anemone it was like jelly in my hands and pieces of it floated all over the tank. <No fun> We picked out everything we could. I tested the water soon after (about an hour and then about 5 hours) I changed the water. Ph was 8.2, ammonia, and nitrate were right very very close to 0, but the nitrite was a little high, it looked a little under .50. This morning I work up to find all of my fish dead. All the levels were the same except the nitrite which was off the charts. Was it the dead anemone that might have done this? Thank you so much for any response you can give me. I appreciate it so much. <Is likely the root cause here. BobF>
Re: Did the anemone kill the fish?   11/14/06 I am very very sorry. I looked on our website for about an hour straight before I wrote. After I wrote I keep searching, just in case I missed it. Of course I did. I hope you did not waste any of your time responding to me. I saw that you wrote an unnoticed anemone will usually wipe out the entire tank. I am guessing this is what happened. Maybe we noticed the anemone was dead, we just noticed too late. Again, sorry if I wasted any of your time. You guys are so great for volunteering all of your services. <Mmm, no worries. Bob Fenner>

Bubble-Tip Anemone Gone Mad! - 10/14/06 Hi there, <<Hello>> I have a 75 gal tank...filled with bubble-tip anemones...they are constantly multiplying....all the water conditions are right and the tank has been set up for over two years.  Just recently though I've noticed that all my watermelon mushrooms have died, could the bubble-tip anemones be the cause? <<Most assuredly>> Six of them were on the rock amongst the mushrooms.  Now my Ricordea mushrooms are dying (noticed anemones amongst them also). <<Same issue>> Done water changes, tested pH, ammonia, and hardness all conditions are fine. <<Not a water quality problem...you have a compatibility issue>> I really have many many bubble-tip anemones near 100 about an eighth of an inch to quarter inch in size. <<That is a LOT of anemones...I hope you have an eventual outlet for these>> Are the anemones the sudden cause? <<They are>> Had some of the anemones since I started the tank (they are multiplying like mad)...the mushrooms a year or more...what could be happening?  Need your help. Thanks, Tree <<Well Tree, you simply have incompatible organisms trying to share the same (too small) space.  Anemones are always best kept on their own.  It is not even recommended to mix multiple anemones in the same tank, even of the same species, unless as in your situation they are reproductions/clones of the host anemone.  I think you best resign yourself to keeping this tank as a species-specific anemone tank.  Regards, EricR>>

Anenome potential death... mis-stocked iatrogenic troubles   10/2/06 I have a fairly large reef setup in a 150 gallon tank with many  different types of corals in it. Any way to get to the point i <I> have a large  anemone about a 1.5 feet across and have had it for about 2 years now.  While i was feeding my large zebra eel, my only meat eater in the tank :D, he  grabbed the large shrimp i fed him and thrashed around only to put a tentacle of  my Anenome in his mouth as he bit down. Obviously he bit it off and my Anenome  immediately shrank down into its smallest form.........all this happened about  20 min ago and he still has not come out.. am scared for my  anemones survival he's been with me for a very long time. Please get  back to me soon   Thanks alot <No such word... a lot>                 John   <What can you do? This anemone, eel and "corals" need separate settings... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/index.htm re the species you list, their Systems, Compatibility. Bob Fenner>

Re: PLEASE HELP ASAP!!! Ammonia spike!!! Cnid., Anemone incomp. ... Not reading... consequences    10/3/06 Hey guys... it's gone from bad to worse.  I have done a 80 percent water change, then 3 consecutive 30% everyday.  Everything in the tank has died except for some Zoo's which have completely closed up <The "winners"> a cleaner shrimp, 2 small clowns, and a very small red line angel. <Unfamiliar with this common name> All corals and inverts have died.  All have been removed.  The Chaeto too is dying but I think that's due to low water flow.  I will put a power head in there to keep it flowing faster.  The ammonia is now constant at 1 ppm.  It hovered around .25 after the initial large change, then jumped to .5 ppm for 2 days. <Stress and dying/decomposition> I added bio-Spira 3 days ago and that doesn't seem to be helping.  I went to the LFS and got 2 large cups of sand from their several year established tank this morning.  I measured the ammonia tonight and now its up to at least 1ppm.  There isn't anything else dying in the tank, other than some Chaeto but its not dead yet.  Why is this ammonia still climbing?  What can i do to stop it or slow it down? Please help!! <... you obviously did NOT read where you were previously referred to... I would move the remaining livestock to new settings... BobF>

Peppermint shrimp, anemone and Dottyback compatibility   10/2/06   Hello, back for my weekly question.  Hope you are doing well.  I am sure there is a answer to my question somewhere on WWM, but I am having trouble finding it.  On my endless quest for a cure of Aiptasia, I am thinking of purchasing 4 or 5 peppermint shrimp.  My question is, will the peppermint shrimp go after my bubble tip (huge) or any of the LPS corals I have (yes, bad mix I know)?   <Likely so> Lastly in your opinion would my blue flavivertex Pseudochromis go after my peppermint shrimp?   <Maybe if/during molting if there is insufficient cover> If either of these answers are yes, I can put the peppermint shrimp in my sump with some Aiptasia covered rocks, right?  Thanks, Ryan. <Yes. Bob Fenner>

PLEASE HELP ASAP!!!  Ammonia spike!!! Cnid., Anemone incomp.   9/30/06 Hey crew.  I need your advice.  I have (maybe had) a 29 gallon reef with a 15 gallon refugium.  I was gone for 2 days and came back to see I had a bubble coral looking like it had died twice!  I removed it, and took a water sample.  Ammonia was .25 ppm.  Well, I just so happened to be out of salt and needed to wait till the morning to go get some.   All of a sudden... white slime (looks kinda like mucus) come off of everything.  Every piece of live rock, every mushroom... everything.  I tried syphoning as much as I could.    <Yikes>   I ran and got an old Fluval and threw some carbon in it and ran it for the night. <Good try> I woke up the next morning to about 10 dead mushrooms, a dead hammer coral, and a rose bubble tip <... incompatible> that was not looking good at all.  I removed all of them.. <Best... but not back together... the root cause...> and noticed lots of goo coming off over every part of the anemone.  So, ... as i tried not to freak out, but rather act quickly.....  I went as fast as i could and got some salt.  I did a 10 gallon water change right then, and had to run into work.  I cam back from work and did a water test and the ammonia was 1.0 ppm.  I was at a loss of what to do.  I contacted my LFS and asked what they recommended.  I  was instructed to do a very very large water change.   <About the best stop-gap measure>   I changed 21 gallons of the 29 or so (less cause of live rock)  and left the water that was in the refugium.  I added a bag of live sand and mixed it with the sand currently in there hoping not to destroy all the helpful bacteria.  I then added 21 gallons of freshly made water and added a packet of bio-Spira marine.  Before the water change... everything looked like they were saying good bye to life... now they look like they want to fight to live.  I have a strange feeling this large of a water change will cause the tank to cycle again.  I was hoping to defeat this fear with bio-Spira.. but only time and your advice will tell.   I did a full water test.  Here are the results:   Ammonia - .25 (maybe .5, holding the test tube looks like both of them.  More so the .25 but I guess i should error on the side of caution)   Nitrite .05   Nitrate 5.0   Alk 2.9   Ph 8.4   Ca - 300   Salinity 1.026   Please give me some advice on what to do.  Anything and everything I can do.  I was planning on doing another 8 gallons tomorrow to try and lower that ammonia.  Are the benefits of doing the change worth the risk of further causing the tank to cycle?  I am soo lost and need your help.      Josh Henley <Mmm, something "caused" the initial stress/reaction of the one Euphylliid... very likely something to do with the presence of the Anemone... cascade of bad-events after this... Please read here:     http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cnidcompfaqs.htm and the linked files above, particularly re Anemone Incompatibility with other Cnidarians. Bob Fenner>

Triggers, Anemones, Clowns? Not tog.  9/6/06 One other question. I did not find it on your site, but may not be looking hard enough. What is compatibility with Pink tail trigger 3", Humu (Picasso) 2.5" and 2.5" niger and an anemone? <... usually zip> If I am having a chemical war I would like to move my anemone and 2 Percs to my other tank which is a fish only. <The Clowns likewise would likely be consumed in time here> Right now my Percs keep laying eggs and would like to see them continue but seem to have a very happy life in my 72 bow front. I do not want to send them to the fish tank in the sky by moving them to my fish only tank <Me neither... perhaps another tank, or two? Bob Fenner>

A few questions from someone new to anemones. Asteroid comp., BTA sel., Anemone incomp.   9/5/06 Hello guys! <And gals...> I love the website and have gained a lot of information from it. <Good> I've kept a 30 gallon marine tank for about a year now.  About a month ago I purchased an 80 gallon tank to replace it and I plan on turning the 30 gallon into a refugium and plumbing the two together for obvious benefits :-)).   <Great!> My current tank currently has: 1 Yellow Tang 1 Blue Damsel 1 Yellow Damsel who can be aggressive) 1 Velvet Damsel 1 Tomato Clown (I hope will host in the Anemone) 2 Fire Shrimps 1 Chocolate Starfish 1 Sandsifting Starfish And a few blue and red legged crabs and some turbo snails as well. <All this a thirty?> Live sand bed and about 30 lbs of live rock. (which were originally all in my 30 gallon, hence the upgrade to a larger tank) As for the setup itself I currently have: An emperor 400 w/BioWheel A Magnum 350 Canister filter A 40w single strip light. Question #1- I've been thinking about getting a bubble tip anemone.  But I've heard that starfish/anemones are not a good match. Is this true? <Mmm, this is not a major issue... incompatibility twixt these groups> I've read that anemones will eat starfish and that starfish will eat anemones, <A few species are notably predaceous... most ignore each other... including the ones you list> but haven't found any definitive information on either of the two species that I have and the anemone that I'm getting. <Now you have...> Question#2- Is there anything else I should think about purchasing before I go out and buy a bubble tip anemone. the waste of 35 bucks doesn't concern me, it's the pointless killing of an animal by a novice) <Yes... please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/btaselfaqs.htm re BTA Sel.> Question #3- If I'm running a refugium, is there any need for me to purchase a protein skimmer, <Yes> my nitrates are barely measurable (approximately .5 ppm when I change water) and ammonia and nitrite have been zero for almost as long as the tank has been set up.  Ph and Alkalinity are normal and haven't fluctuated to a noticeable degree yet.             I've decided on the bubble tip because in my research I've found that they are one of the easiest to keep, and also are known to host tomato clowns.  Also, is there any reason why I shouldn't mix a sebae and a bubble tip anemone in this tank? <All sorts... please read on WWM re Anemone incomp...> I've read about anemones having "chemical warfare" on corals.  But from my understanding of it, anemones and corals are mostly the same accept mobility in anemones.   <Not so> I'm just trying to make sure that when I buy a bubble tip anemone that I don't end up feeding it to something in my tank, or something in my tank to it.   Thanks for all your input and keep up the good work. Paul Kotlarz <Keep reading. Bob Fenner>

Tank problems... iatrogenic. Anemone incomp., not understanding Crypt   9/5/06 I need Help. I have a 72 bow front. I have had it for 2 years now with no issues. I have been able to keep corals, fish, anemone <Not compatible> and inverts. I started noticing around a month ago I was losing corals. I checked all of my levels more than once. I tested my Salt with an optical tester and noticed that my level was around 1.029. <A bit high> I know, way high. I was going on vacation and thought I should bring the levels down. Well I did to approx 1.021. I did it way too fast. <No more than a thousandth per day... half this with invertebrate livestock...> So I lost a lobster and my 2 cleaner shrimp. I went on vacation for a week and came back to notice more corals had died off. My 2 clams are fine along with urchin, fish, crabs, snails, and anemone. Well As we continue. I noticed my temp was down to 71 degrees. I put in a glass thermometer. Well That read 87. I went out to buy a new one and sure enough the second number was correct. <... too high> I again tested all of my levels and they seem to be in great shape. I lowered my temp to 80 over a 2 days. Well now 3 of my tangs are getting ich. <Already had it...> As well, my anemone has shrunk and I fear not going to make it. Not sure on this one though. I placed the temp up to 82 to help with the ich. <... a host of issues> I am down to no corals I plan on doing a 25% water change in the morning to help. All levels are fine. Should I wait a few days to see if the ich clears up? <... won't> I mean it only took 2 days for the ich to attach to the fish. <As stated, was there at all times... latent, low-level resident infestation... see WWM re> How is it that for 2 years everything was growing and surviving with absolutely NO ISSUES. Please Help ASAP. Sincerely, John J Bailey <Is more an object lesson in human objectivity/subjectivity. How many more times (I hope to be around a bunch!) will I/we state the inherent problem/incompatibility of large actinarian species with other Classes of cnidarians? Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemcompfaqs.htm and the linked files above. And on your situation with crypt: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/reefparasittksfaqs.htm and... Bob Fenner>

Anemone Incompatibility - 08/24/06 Hi, <<Hello>> Thanks for taking my question/problem. <<No worries...is what we do>> I have a 135 gallon tank with MH 175 (2) ,Berlin system, live rock, live sand bed, etc.  A used skimmer (big and works great). Also a smaller back up skimmer (60 gal).  I have had a rose anemone doing great for about 6-7 weeks.  Xenia, candy cane coral, open brain, yellow gorgonian.  I bought a Ritteri yesterday. <<Uh-oh...trouble>> I was a little leery, but I am very conscientious and my inhabitants (Tang, maroon clown, sleeper goby, rusty angel, firefish, blue damsel, and a baby Harlequin Sweetlips) are all quite happy. <<Mmm, wish you had been a bit more "conscientious" and researched/learned more about anemone compatibility before placing two differing species in the same system...let alone placing these creatures in a system with sessile invertebrates.  And I need mention the Harlequin Sweetlips is another poor choice in my opinion...an alluring fish (when small) with its attractive markings and swaggering swimming motion, but most die within days of acquiring, the rest in weeks to months...and should it happen to live, it would grow to nearly 30">> So, I prayed, crossed my fingers and went for it. <<A very poor way to approach this hobby my friend.  Please do your research beforehand>> I noticed right away, the rose looked upset but not too bad, a little smaller. <<Indeed...these animals are quite "aware" of the other's presence>> This morning my rose is shriveled to nothing and losing color around the base. <<It's being stung/chemically attacked by the Ritteri, and likely responding in kind...will prove deleterious/lethal to both in time>> I moved it to the other side of the tank. <<Won't help I'm afraid.  Anemones have the ability to release nematocysts (stinging cells) in to the water column to sting their adversaries from afar (will likely result in collateral damage to other organisms in a closed-system as well)>> Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Help!? <<I can only recommend you remove one of these anemones from this system, the sooner the better...or better yet...remove both and create "separate" species specific systems tailored to "their" needs/requirements (will require some study/research...a good place to start is here, following the indices in blue as well: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm)>> Noreen <<Regards, EricR>>

Anemone incomp. with Ephippids!   7/25/06 This is more of a public service announcement:  I refer to your site for all kinds of information.  Last week I looked at your site to see if I could find what was killing my Condy.    Well, the only thing I could find is that maybe I brought a crab in on a rock.  NOPE, the beautiful BAT FISH attacked my LTA yesterday when I put it in the tank.  She took 3 tentacles before I could get her out.  Please tell your customers no batfish with anemone. <<Thank you for sharing your experience.  We do not have 'customers'.  I do tell our readers to avoid keeping batfish in captivity. Lisa.>>

Rose Bubble Tip Anemone... mixed with a H. crispa...  7/19/06 I have had a rose bubble tip for about 2 months now, Today I noticed that it doesn't extend out, it is in a little ball and the clown who is actually too big for it has pretty much moved out and into another, a sebae anemone, <... not in the same system?> along with my other clown. The bubble tip will it krill and clams, but is staying pretty much closed. Is there anything that I should be doing or looking for?? Salinity 1.024                         PH  8.2                         nitrate 20 <A bit high>                         Nitrite 0                                     Ammonia 0 Lighting 2-65watt power compacts 10K               2-65watt Actinic <Insufficient for this size/depth tank, these anemone species> 75 gallon Tank Is the clown buffing it to death?? <Might be... but doubtful. You have a case of allelopathy... mis-mixed actinarians> Thanks for your time Bob <Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemcompfaqs.htm and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Lighting issues??? Really just misplaced Anemones   7/6/06 Hi there crew!!  I'm new to your pages and find it very helpful. <Change in number... pages/them> It  has answered a lot of questions <It/they> for me but one. what <Cap.> type of lighting would work  best for me?? I have a 40 gal breeder tank 36x18x16 currently with 45 lbs LR and 60 lbs LS crappy but after mod's (thanks' to you guys) acceptable sea  clone <Product, capitalized> 1 50 (took me almost a week to tune right) penguin 400 bio wheel <Dittos> filter (no fiber media just baskets with matrix by SeaChem <> to help keep leaves down) two MaxiJet 400's for current and a homemade 5 gal refugium (for my mandarin buddy   :o) ).  I currently have 4 types of damsels , two Percs , a zebra goby ,  a mandarin , a skunk shrimp , a peppermint shrimp , a emerald crab ,  some turbo snails ,  some hermits , some polyps (couple different types) ,  some buttons , a BTA ,and a LTA. <These anemones are misplaced here> Everyone has been doing great!! but the two  anemones are new to me and I know I need better lighting for them. <Actually... they should be moved elsewhere. Pronto> right now I  have three fluorescent 50\50 2 being 18" the other 24". Now my question is what's  better PC or T5?? <For the animals listed, likely the latter> I have got many mixed answers about this question from LPS <Talking to Scleractinia?> and figured I need to find better help. I'm interested in maybe adding a coral or  two but want to make sure I get right lighting so if I do decided to I can. I   already know that the anemones need more light I have had them for about 2 months now and they look good I watch them eat I have even seen them move around   to different spots in the tank. the LT I have even seen make a home at the bottom of the tank he's been there for a month now and hasn't moved but still   eats regally . I feed tank 2-3 times a day morning feeding being frozen Mysis and frozen rotifers second being marine snow liquid (the fish go nuts for this   stuff lol) the third but not all the time being super soft sinking pellets with  krill which I crush so its like a powder so power heads blow it around. I'm  almost for got to mention the rotifers sometimes get switched up for frozen invert food (its green in color and stinks lol). Everyone seems to be very happy  in this little environment I have created but I know they would fair well with  better lighting. please help me make the right choice here so I'm not just  blowing money away.  Thanks in advance!! :o)    Mark   <Mmm, I'd be moving the anemones, not fooling with the lights. Bob Fenner>

Dead Anemone Residue...Mushrooms Vacating  - 07/03/04 Hi Guys, <Hello Nancy> I had a medium bubble anemone for over a year who was home to a tomato clown.  A few months ago it moved to the underside of a rock and slowly withered away and left a cottony white layer where it's base had been.  Not knowing if the anemone would grow back from this I left it in place.  I now have a large covering of this on an adjacent rock and the resident mushrooms are vacating the rock (which they used to cover).  Is this something I want to eradicate or is it a friendly unknown species who has taken up residence.  This is a 75 gal tank with a deep sand bed that has been up and running without incident for 2+ years, (initially set up in 98 but had a severe algae problem and I had to tear down, scrub and redo to get rid of it all.).  H2O parameters seem ok, fish are happy, very little algae, VHO lights + Moonlights.  I will attempt to attach a pic but I am digitally challenged, sorry if it doesn't work. <Pic was sent with no problem. <<But not saved for posting... RMF>>  Nancy, any residue left by a dead anemone should definitely be removed.  This can be quite toxic to the rest of the inhabitants.  Probably why your mushrooms are heading west.> Thanks, <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)> Nancy D

Compatibility...Ribbon Eel And Anemone   7/3/06 Hi. <Hello Josh.> I was wondering, I have a black ribbon eel who is quite awesome and eats like a champ. He is very healthy and happy. He was fed originally on saltwater feeders, but over the past few months have got him to accept frozen food off a long skewer. <Lucky you.  These guys generally don't last too long under aquarium conditions.> He is currently sharing a tank with a sand sifting goby, a Lawnmower Blenny and a Lionfish.  The Lionfish is on his way to a new home tomorrow and we were considering making the tank a reef tank since the ribbon eel seems very pleasant and hasn't bothered anyone even the very small goby or blenny.  I was wondering if he would be compatible with an anemone. I searched and searched, but couldn't find anything that said these 2 were compatible.  I have found it written that the ribbon eel was reef safe, but nothing saying that what it was compatible with. I would like to get a couple large size clown fish and an anemone and maybe a few pieces of coral. I have had this FOWLR tank and was looking at giving my best try at converting it to a reef tank.    <Not a good practice to keep anemones with fish other than clowns.  Just a matter of time before one or more fish will be stung/consumed.> Thanks again for all your help. <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>    Josh Henley

Anemone - coral compatibility question  - 06/30/06 Evening Crew (well, is here anyway) <Yet another little lesson in relativity> I am in set-up / research phase of reentry into reef keeping and have 4 tanks displayed in a wall with a room behind tanks hiding all the filtration stuff, a deep sink, and small tanks for QT.   <How nice! You lucky pug! Add a beer-tapper and I'm moving in> Aqua-Heaven!!  Will be wonderful when all populated but am taking things really slow.  Curing/cycling recently complete, no fish yet.  Currently I am running two filtration systems. The 75 gal for reef is on its own filtration system and the 55gal (FO), 25gal(FO), and 25gal (FOWLR/DSB) tanks are one filtration system. <What about the quarantine...> The FO tanks actually have a fair amount of what was once LR of Florida origin from way back when.  During the dry years it was sterilized (bleach soak) and stored dry knowing I'd eventually have tanks again.  I have a chunk or two of LR in each of those tanks but will be some time before it will be recolonized obviously.  I am currently using the trickle filters for sumps that were the "state of the art" when I last was in the hobby and am going to be adding Refugiums (40g long partitioned for skimmer/ DSB-algae farm/ sump areas) this weekend for each system and dropping the trickle from the reef setup at least.  Reef has MH lighting, ozone (via skimmer), calcium reactor. Lighting in the others is mixed - 25gal(fowlr) is CF and the FO tanks are NOF.  Both systems have skimmers, Polyfilter pad, and Carbon bag. Ammonia and nitrite are 0.  Nitrate less than 5 and is dropping each time since nitrite finally hit zero, pH 8.3, Ca 350-400, Alk 110ppm.  Water chem not too hard to maintain in fallow tanks, Hehe.  Plans for the 55 include 2 or 3 medium sized fish. The 25(FO) will have a hand full of small fish (that would otherwise be food in the 55), and the 25 FOWLR is to hold an anemone and a clown as only occupants.  Population of the RT is totally undecided, but will be limited to corals, inverts, and one or two very small fish, and maybe one day a mandarin if pods will grow well.  I have much reading left there and plan to let the live rock/ pod farm mature at least 6 months before adding corals.  (BTW thanks to Roy for recommending Borneman's Aquarium Corals  to supplement my Fenner/Calfo library.  I put the 3 Volume atlas from Australia on the Christmas wish list) <Ah, good> The question is in regard to a plumbing change to be made this weekend as I add the refugiums.  I am considering draining the 25FOWLR (anemone) tank into the same filter system as the reef.  I would be using mag 5 to return to the 25gal and a separate mag 7 to the 75 gal. The second drain from 75 gal overflow will be used for closed loop manifold to reach 20x+ flow for the reef.  Would the Anemone cause any chemical problems for coral or visa versa via the sump with them physically separated in this fashion? <Mmm, a possibility... but perhaps low enough in probability to warrant... place it (the anemone) about last... "keep it happy">   I was originally planning on the deep sand under the anemone in the 25 would raise him closer to CF lights and serve the fish system for denitrification but the lighted DSB refuge will be even better.  The water quality in the Reef system will be much better than the fish system most likely, which would benefit the anemone if I make this plumbing change.   What think yee? <Sounds like a plan Ron... Bob Fenner>
Re: Anemone - coral compatibility question  - 06/30/06 .....<What about the quarantine...>..... I have a pair or hang on the tank "wet/dry" + filter bag w/ carbon units hanging on the 55 so that they are cycled for use in the QT tanks when the time comes to start buying critters. <Ahh! Thoughtful> I don't remember the brand name. I bought the ones rated for 30-40gal and QT tanks are 20's.  Will add a powerhead in the corner pointed at the flow from the hang on filter and do freq water changes with water drawn from the appropriate system during QT period also.  I wish I had known about everything I've found on this site 10 yr's ago. <... me too. Hope we make it to/through the next decade of "blissful ignorance"> Contaminating the system with a fish "quarantined" by the LFS was the beginning of a cascade of deaths and total system melt down of a 5 yr old live rock/ mushroom/ anemone display. <Common loss of life, hobbyists> I converted to planted biotype fresh water tanks a while and then stored the tanks to concentrate on the pair of two legged critters that came into our lives.  I feel so fortunate to have a lot more info available this time around.    As to the Beer-tapper, I tore out a large built in bar to make the space for the tank wall so I might be going backward to some, hehe. Ron <Argggghhhh, why can't there be space for all!? Cheers, BobF>

Re: Kole tang discolored spot (can't figure this out)   4/1/06   Thanks for the quick response sorry I was not able to thank you earlier...working 2 jobs 14 hours a day doesn't leave you much free time.   <Yikes! Hope your commute is short... to allow sleeping time!> I have returned the flower anemone to the store I work at and the tiny kole tang looks all better,  once again thanks for the quick response I really appreciate it. <Ah, very welcome. Bob Fenner, who used to work long, continuous hours, and now plays about as long>

Red Seastar and Anemone Compatability 3/17/06 Thank you for your awesome website, I am on here almost every day.... I do have a question for you... When I looked in my aquarium yesterday, I noticed that my Red Seastar was on my Sebae Anemone. Today the Seastar is sitting at the top of the tank all curled up. Are these two compatible with each other?  Thanks for your time, Steve K. <<Without knowing the exact kind of sea star, it is impossible to guess about the Compatability, however it is most likely that the interaction between the two was just accidental and not really harmful to either one.  However, there are some predatory sea stars, so I would observe it carefully.  Best Regards.  AdamC.>>

Few questions... Condy mixed, sized system for anemones 01-01-06 Bob, <Happy New Year. Travis (Fellow Iowa native) here with you today.>   I recently discovered your website and really enjoy reading it. <Good to hear.> However, your advice to other aquarium owners causes me to question whether or not my LFS is giving be wrong information to just sell a specimen. <Ah, the struggle we all find ourselves dealing with.> First off, I have a Condy (yeah I know, basic, but I've never had an Anenome and I wanted to get the hang of caring for one) and my LFS owner told me that any coral or fish would be fine with it. <To be honest there is no such thing as a "basic" anemone, but yes Condys can be a bit less demanding.> But according to you, Atlantic anemone's should never be mixed with pacific coral's and fish. <It is always best to keep animals together with those they share ocean space with in the wild.> I have a 12g nano-cube and it runs great....I have one clown, 1 coral banded shrimp, live rock and sand, 1 Condy, cotton candy coral branch, and a colony of striped mushrooms. I really would like to know if this Condy is a risk to my tank and should be removed. <To be honest a 12 gallon tank is no place for any anemone. Anemones are very demanding, as far as water parameters go, and they tend to wander. Condy's are not natural hosts and have been known to damage/kill fish and corals. I would return your Condy.> Thanks for your time. <Glad to help, Travis> Sincerely, Drew

Condy and LTA... Real troubles with mixing Anemones I have a few different anemone's. <In the same system? Most often a disaster...> I have a rock flower, a Condy and a brand new white/bluish/greenish LTA.  My Condy did great for several weeks, now he is limp.   <Uh, yeah> He has been eating brine and small silver fish.  (My emerald crab was eating his tentacles for a short period of time).  Should I feed him something else? <Possibly... but you have a larger, more demanding issue... allelopathy... competition twixt the actinarians...> I had 1 light 96 watt with the blue light and the led, I bought another 96 watt light for the anemone he positioned himself and did very well until the crab starting feeding on his tentacles.  Is this enough light, and what should my Condy eat?    <Please see WWM re Anemone Compatibility, Condylactis Feeding, Systems... all is posted there>   MY LTA- new, and huge.  He is spinning around the floor of my tank, he will not seat, and now today he has (after 4 days) shriveled up and keeps expelling waste, but does not eat much, when I give the silver fish, he takes it, but then usually releases it.  Is he eating the brine?. <Unlikely>   What is the best to feed him, will he seat himself as large as he is (my tank is 65 gal and has about 120lb of rock).  The fish store I go to suggested setting his foot in a baby food jar?!  I am semi new to this, but have never seen an anemone act like this.   <Read... and quick. You need to separate these animals pronto. Bob Fenner>

Inappropriate Anemone Mix, Actually Just Mix In General - 12/15/2005 Hi guys/gals, <Ground control to...I mean Hi Tom.> I have a 2.5 x 2 x 1.5 foot marine tank, I know this is quite small in comparison with other hobbyists tanks, but so far doing  well, (been running for about 7 months.) <Good.> I have a large piece of Xenia, Sun Coral (which I'm feeding Liquid Life marine plankton). I have had him for about a month and never seen him out to feed? <Please do search our FAQ's on this. There's much you'll need to do/attempt to begin this process. Also does not help to have the unnatural mix (Soft and Stony).> 2 Black Clowns a Mandarin, Boxing  Crab, Large Blue Leg Hermit (who is a pain in the ass) and a brittle star. All parameters are fine. I have recently purchased a Bubble Tip, a bit disappointed that the Clowns still ignore him after a week, he did move to a different place after a day but has not moved since, which I take as a good sign. <Maybe. This REALLY doesn't help your unnatural mix. Hard enough to keep in small tanks, throw in the other corals and you're asking for trouble.> He comes out big in the day, but his mouth opens up large, and hangs out every other day? <OK, take this as a bad sign. The mouth "gaping" is stress related.> Can you enlighten me on this, and is there anyway to get the clowns to notice him, the lights I'm running are twin ballast Interpet T5's, daylight and triplus, (is this enough?) Also can't get bubble tip to eat, is he using light? <OK, you've broken a few "rules" here and it seems you are starting to see why they exist. Aside from compatibility, you've not researched what these animals need, how they need it and what you should/shouldn't expect. The Clowns will probably ignore the anemone (not even the natural wild relationship), but at this point, hope they don't try. This will make things worse on the anemone. I advise you to return the anemone and focus your effort on the Dendrophylliid. The Mandarin would also be better off else where, likely a very short life in your tank.> Many thanks, Tom. <You should find all the clarification you need in the FAQ's. Whoever is selling you these should not be trusted on their advice. Sorry I don't have better news. Best of luck. - Josh>

Does This Match my Carpet?  Allelopathy in Action (Not Inaction)  11/12/2005 Hi My name is Gal Judah and I am writing to you about a number of issues/pattern that I have noticed in my aquarium. I have a 150 gallon reef aquarium with well developed life rock, sufficient lighting and a well sustained tank environment. My first issue is that I have 3 Ocellaris Clownfish which I have had for about 4-5 months now, all were introduced at one time and get along well, my issue with them is that I have 2 Carpet anemones and 1 rosebud anemone (the carpet anemones were present before clowns were introduced) and for some reason the clowns choose not to go near them. <Happens> Secondly and more importantly I have noticed an alarming pattern to grow of corals in my tank and then a sudden crash. it seems that as soon as I get corals to grow and polyps to spread all of a sudden they just decide to die.  <<Don't think they make this decision lightly, it may be for a very good cause.  MH>> I do frequent water test and almost always find that my water conditions stay constant. I was wondering if you knew why this occurs. <Mmm, you might find you have more success with more frequent, larger water changes, using activated carbon in your filter flow path... and making sure there is space between the corals and anemones> Lastly I have had recently growing polyp in my tank. I again see the same pattern with the grow of polyp in my aquarium. They grow and spread rapidly and then in a matter of days deteriorate. So my question is what can I do to increase grow of polyps in my tank and what can I do to sustain that grow? <Mmm, a bunch... and all is posted on WWM...> Your help would be greatly appreciated and thank you for your time Gal Judah  <Please start reading here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm.  Especially the area on Anemone, Carpet Anemone Compatibility. Cheers, Bob Fenner> 

Allelopathic Effects of Different Anemone Species - 10/24/05 Hi Guys, One of my friends has recently had a major crash in his aquarium. I believe toxins released into the water by soft corals (specifically Sarcophyton and Sinularia sp.) and his anemones (keeps both Heteractis crispa and Entacmaea quadricolor) may have played a role in this crash.  <I don't know of any corals that can wipe out fish. A dead anemone can definitely cause this.>  His tank is 4'x2'x30" and contains around four sizable soft corals (largest is the Sinularia sp. which is around 15cm. The anemones are both around 25cm diameter. Can be up to 30cm when fully extended. As well as a number of other invertebrates and a number of fish. The tank has been set up for around two years. Thus far with no significant problems. Do you think that it is possible that the allelopathic effects of the anemones and soft corals could have contributed to the crash? Details about the crash follow: 1. All crustaceans were fine with no apparent negative effects (including Coral Banded Shrimp and several hermit and normal crabs) 2. The sea urchin seemed to be totally unaffected 3. All fish died in the tank within a period of three hours. Were fine at lights on (around 9am) and everything was dead by lunchtime (around midday) 4. Some of the Acropora sp. seem to be a little less healthy, but there have been no deaths thus far in hard or soft corals or clams (the tank also has two Tridacna squamosa) Another possibility that I thought may be a contributing factor is the black sea cucumbers he has releasing a toxin into the water? However the cucumbers seem to be in perfect health. He has a total of three in his tank. (I think this is an excessive number due to their toxic nature, but that is just my opinion) Any suggestions you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I would also like some references regarding the allelopathic nature of some invertebrates, I have seen a number of mentions of allelopathy in marine creatures on your website, but no proper references. I have suggested my theory to my friend, but unfortunately he seems to think I am insane, and I would like some evidence to back me up if possible. :)  <Hayley, I'm guessing the cucumbers are responsible for the crash. A dead anemone will definitely cause this also. Here is a link for you to read that also lists several references at the bottom. Marine allelopathy. James (Salty Dog)> Thanks heaps for your help!!  Hayley Sydney Australia  <You're welcome>  

Anemone Systems, Mixing Angels - 10/24/05 I currently have a 75 gallon f/o with live rock. I am considering upgrading the lighting system to two 150 watt halides and putting a bubble or Ritteri anemone or both anemones in the tank. <Well you would only be able to choose one as two anemones of different species in the same system will fight both physically and chemically. In this choice I would choose the Bubble (E. quadricolor) as the Ritteri has a dismal survival record.> The current fish are a yellow tang, a hippo tang,  <Two tangs will be too much for this tank long term.>  a xanthurus angel, a flame angel, and a Fourline wrasse. I also have a Potter's angel in quarantine tank for about one month and doing well , I would like to put him in this tank when I change it over , the flame will probably be taken out to avoid any conflict with the Potter's. The flame is two years old and very established.  <Centropyge potteri is another fish that has a very poor survival record be sure it is healthy and eating well before addition to the display, and yes you will have to remove the flame.>  Do you see any problems with the change over? <Not with your current stock, but be sure to research anemones before purchase, they are quite sensitive animals.> I would like to put host clownfish in this tank  <Keep in mind there is no guarantee that the clown will take to the anemone, and also keep in mind clowns have been known to host in things other than anemones such as Sinularia and Sarcophyton Leathers.>  Thanks Ron. <You are welcome Adam J.> 

Sebae anemone healthy but losing pieces 9/15/05 Hey Guys, I have a healthy Sebae anemone in my tank. I have had 4 damsels, crabs, pep. shrimp, emerald crab, polyp rock, for a while. I recently put in a fantastic specimen of a gold stripe maroon clown. I am now seeing small pieces of the anemone in the tank. (they glow nice under the actinic). What's going on?  The anemone and clown took to each other almost immediately. Thanks much, Dan <I have seen more than once where clowns (Especially maroons) will nip off tentacle tips from their host.  I have no explanation why they might do this, but it doesn't seem to be all that harmful to the anemone.  Other animals may suffer if the bits land on them.  If it seems that the anemone is suffering significantly from this, you may have to remove it or the fish.  Best Regards.  AdamC.>

Lighting, issues with mixing anemones... 7/16/05 Hi there guys <And gals...> I have a question regarding a Marine Aquarium lighting setup.  I have a 80 Gal 26" tall marine setup which is about 4 months old now.  All the water parameters are within suggested regions and  everything seems to be doing well. I have two Magnificent Anemones, one carpet, <Dangerous...> a tree coral and one leather coral on about 50 Kg of live rock. As for the lighting, I have installed 2 x 250W MH 10,000K (Sylvania), 2 x  36 W Actinic (fluorescent) and one 36 W 10 000K Ocean sun (fluorescent). Will this lighting be adequate, if not what colour temperature and wattage lighting should I add? <Adequate for? To keep the animals alive you list? Should be fine> Looking forward to your response Thank you very much Eddie <Please do read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemcompfaqs.htm re anemone compatibility, and the linked files above re lighting, systems... Bob Fenner>