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FAQs on Condylactis Anemone Compatibility
Related Articles: Condylactis Anemones,
Anemones,
Anemones of the Tropical West Atlantic,
Colored/Dyed Anemones, Related
FAQs: Condylactis 1,
Condylactis 2,
Anemone Behavior, Condylactis
Identification, Condylactis Behavior,
Condylactis Selection, Condylactis
Systems, Condylactis Feeding,
Condylactis Disease, Condylactis
Reproduction,
Atlantic Anemones 1, Atlantic Anemones
2,
Anemones,
Anemones 2,
LTAs, Clownfishes & Anemones,
Anemone Systems,
Anemone Lighting,
Anemone Reproduction,
Anemone Identification,
Anemone Selection,
Anemone Behavior,
Anemone Health,
Anemone Placement, Anemone
Feeding, | 
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Dead Volitans Lion 12/27/08
Good Morning Crew...
First with basic parameters and set up:
Tank: 55gal SWFO, T5 HO
light 36" 2 bulb 39w 18k, Crushed Coral, Eheim 2026,RO/DI...Water at
tap( well) 448ppm after RO/DI 000
Livestock: 1 Volitans Lionfish,
2 Florida Condi Anemone-
<Mmmm>
(55 is temp tank
until
larger DIY tank is finished)
Water before death:0 ammonia- 0
nitrite- >10 nitrate- PH 8.3- SG 1.021- O28 Water after death: 0
ammonia- 0 nitrite > 05 nitrate- PH 8 SG 1.021-O2 8
I use
Salifert test kits....
I need your opinion...My lionfish died
this morning and I was wondering if you can offer an opinion as to
why...I do not want this to happen again, if the cause is in fact
due to my ignorance...I purchased him approx. 3 months ago,
acclimated for approx. 3 hours (drip method) into my quarantine
tank...he stayed there for about three weeks while I tried to get
him to eat...
I live on the coast, so I managed to get hold of
live saltwater minnows...After a few days of feeding these and
silversides, I had him eating all frozen...I then placed him into my
main tank with the 2 Anemones...Things have been fine with him
eating silvers, frozen krill, small
whole shrimp, and occasional
chunk of scallop, 2-3 times a week... XMAS day, after much prodding
from the visiting kids to see him "eat", I let them feed him 3 live
wild caught minnows...The next morning, I noticed him laying on the
bottom with his left eye cloudy...I placed him in the quarantine
tank and began to start researching the net...Over the period of
yesterday and today, both eyes clouded, one of his horns broke, his
face became bright red, skin began falling off of eyes-face-gill
area....Late this morning I noticed him darting around the tank, and
he died....
I have seen several possible causes by reading ALOT
of your FAQs area, but I simply can't nail it down to a cause other
than poison...Maybe it is simply coincidence that this happened
after eating those minnows, and he was
already sick, but I have
NOTHING in my tank but him and those 2 Anemones,
<These are
likely the root cause here>
I test the water weekly, and he has
been on the same diet....
I have attached 2 pictures, one from
each side of his head....I would sincerely appreciate your
opinion....
Thank you.
Richard
Gulf Coast, MS
<Thank you
for writing so clearly, thoroughly... the cloudy eyes, the reddening
of the face. It is likely your Lionfish had a bad run-in with the
Condylactis. Bob Fenner> |  |
Re: Dead Volitans Lion 12/27/08
Mr. Fenner...Thank you
for the quick response...So, basically it was my ignorance that
killed this fish...He should never have been placed in the tank
w/the Condi's...?
<Yes... does happen. These Lions aren't very
"careful" in their movements, and in the small confines or our
tanks, do get "caught" cruising around in the dark...>
I thought
I had covered all my bases when deciding to purchase this fish...It
goes to show just how much there is to learn...
<Much more than a
lifetime>
I understand you are going to lose fish due to natural
causes, but I simply don't condone losing them to ignorance, or lack
of care..
<Ahh! We are definitely in agreement here. Hence my
efforts with friends here to share our experiences, thoughts,
speculations and accumulated facts from others>
I am disabled,
and therefore have a lot of free time...I have very much enjoyed
reading your site since finding it the other day...I have been
unable to "put it down" so to speak...
<Am glad to find the work
of interest, use>
As for writing clearly and thoroughly, you are
welcome...I consider that a simple matter of respect, especially
since you are providing an invaluable FREE service...
Regards,
Richard Scearce
<Life to you my friend. Bob Fenner> |
Missing Anemone 9/25/08
Hello!
<Hi>
Recently I bought
a Condy anemone and a week or 2 later I added some red hermit crabs (2),
well, over night the anemone disappeared so I took out all my rock and
such to see if maybe he had sucked up inside one, but found no sign. So
I figured it died, however, there is no sign that an anemone had ever
been in the tank. So my question is: is it possible that my anemone was
eaten by my hermits?
<Very doubtful.>
I also have a Picasso
trigger, niger trigger, dog face puffer, Volitans lionfish, fuzzy dwarf
lionfish, and a snowflake eel.
<The triggers or puffer are the most
likely culprits here. Also in future queries please spell and grammar
check before submitting as instructed here
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WWMAdminSubWebIndex/question_page.htm , the
time taken to correct them before posting would be better used answering
more questions.>
<Chris>
Re: Missing Anemone 9/25/08
Thanks for the quick reply!
<Welcome>
The strange thing about this is that the anemone and fish
had lived together just fine for 2 weeks, never bothering each other.
<Just took them a while to get around to checking it out.>
Are
anemones part of the trigger fish's natural diet?
<Not usually, but
they will sample most anything they can, as will your puffer.>
<Chris> Ailing Anemone
Condylactis? 8/3/08
I am sorry to pester you with
this question but am at my wits end and have received helpful advice
from your site in the past.
Over a year ago I was gifted with a
"green tipped purple anemone" by my partner. The anemone was placed into
a 10 year old reef system and did beautifully for many months. The
closest I could come to identification is based upon pictures and I
believe it to be a Condylactis. January of this year, I was gifted again
with a 125 gallon tank and equipment and moved everything out of the 55
and into the 125.
<Nice!>
The move went well, no organisms
appeared stressed for more than a day or so. All seemed well until a
couple of months ago.
When my cleaner shrimp molted, he somehow got
himself tangled up with the anemone who proceeded to eat him. I chose
not to interfere not wanting to stress the anemone over much by
attempting to yank something from his gullet. About one week after that,
the anemone began moving around the tank much more than he had done in
the past. (Indigestion?)
<Mmm... sometimes go errant for no apparent
reason/s>
In the process, the anemone ran afoul of the intake tube
for the filter.
<Ohh!>
I do not know precisely how long he was
there but I promptly rescued him by shutting down the filters and
shifting the intake. The anemone seemed fine and slowly continued to
move away from the tubes so I wasn't concerned. Since then, it has not
taken any food, going on two months), has shrunken to less than half of
his original size, and is going through a deflate and re-inflate process
daily.
<This last is fine... good behavior actually>
My question
is this, since I do not want to risk the rest of my corals, should I
remove and destroy the anemone or should I continue trying to get it to
eat?
<I'd move it to another coral-less area if you had/have one...
a sump/refugium perhaps>
I can see no visible damage but obviously it
is stressed by something in the system.
<Mmm, the other Cnidarians
perhaps... could just be from the previous (two months back) trauma>
It could be the large morsel of food, it could have been internally
damaged when it came into contact with the intake tube, it may have been
stung by one of the other corals while traveling about the tank.
<Yes
and yes>
I am terrified by some of what I read on your discussion
board and would hate to have the "explosion" I keep reading about. Some
of my corals have been with me for the whole 10 years and I do not want
to lose them but would hate to kill a specimen that might still recover
due to lack of knowledge.
Regards
Beth Beardsley
<Then I would
definitely move this Anemone elsewhere. Bob Fenner>
I think the introduction of an Atlantic Anemone Killed my Flame and
Pygmy Angelfishes 7/27/08
I have a 28 gallon Nano with metal
halide and it has been really great for a
year. Prior to
yesterday the inhabitants of the tank were:
1. 3 clownfish
(perculas)
2. 1 fire fish (goby)
3. 1 Flame Angelfish
4. 1
Pygmy Angelfish
5. 3 snails
6. 1 hermit crab
7. 2 green
star polyps
8. 2 mushrooms
9. 1 cleaner shrimp (that just died
of I think old age – was very
healthy for a year)
<Way too
much for this sized tank.>
Salinity around 1.025 – temp stays
around 80 degrees with a chiller – run the metal halide from 7AM to
5PM.
Ammonia and all levels of nitrates / nitrites kept really
low.
<Ammonia and nitrite should be undetectable in a sound
setup.>
So yesterday I took my daughter to the fish store to
replace our cleaner shrimp and decided to add an Atlantic Anemone at
the same time.
<Bad move, trouble.>
So before adding the new
fish we decided to take out all the live rock piece by piece and
restack it so it is away from the walls of the Nanocube so we can
clean the algae in those spots. We did that and any rock with
animals on it we rested in a bucket with their own water (removed
about 25% of the water in this process and put it back later).
<When adding new delicate livestock it is not the time for
aquascaping!>
We then restacked all the rocks and obviously made
the water a little cloudy in that process. We added all the animals
on rocks back too.
We then put the Atlantic Anemone (Condy?)
<Maybe, likely.> on some rocks
and it stuck very well
immediately. We then added the water back, turned the pumps back on
and went to bed.
This morning, both my Angelfishes and new
cleaner shrimp were dead – this is really a big mistake on my part
because the angelfishes were the star attractions of the tank and
expensive ($65 a fish).
The water smelled a lot fishier too and
the ammonia was up to maybe 1 PPM.
<This is to be expected with a
small system with such a death, one of the inherent risks in a
“nano”.>
I removed the dead fish and immediately did a 50% water
change and now have the tank cycling again. The Condy seems healthy
and the fire and clown fishes seem to be moving around and checking
out the new place but scared or cautious.
<You may end up
finding a fish or two missing in the future.>
The water is still
a bit cloudy. The green star polyps and mushroom polyps have not
opened back up yet.
<They may not for a while.>
The water
still smells fishier than usual.
<Indicative of the death
event/water quality.>
Can you give me some advice on where to go
from here?
<Look before you leap, research livestock before
purchase.>
Should I take the Condy back to the LFS?
<I would,
nothing but trouble in this size system.>
Should I leave it and
get the tank back in order? Do you think it killed the Angels and
will it kill anything else if I don’t remove it?
<I doubt it
killed the Angels, the unsuitable environment and rapid changes
thereof probably did. These fish require stability and larger tanks.
But, in time, the Condy will likely consume some of your smaller
fish.>
Thanks!
<Welcome, Scott V.>
Re: I think the
introduction of an Atlantic Anemone Killed my Flame and Pygmy
Angelfishes 7/28/08
Thanks Scott. <Welcome.> I removed the
Condy and am going to take it back to the LFS.
<Smart move.>
Just so you know the Pygmy Angel I had and the Dwarf (Flame) Angel
were very healthy in the 28G nano for a year - they were very happy.
The pygmy was less than 1 inch in length and the Dwarf was 1.5
inches both
at maturity. I know what you are saying about Angels
in general but these small ones I believe do fine in smaller tanks.
<Some can be maintained in smaller tanks, just a bit much when
combined with three Perculas.>
I will continue to do water
changes until conditions get back to perfect and will not add any
new fish until I see the Green Star Polyps and Mushroom
Corals
back to their normal happy selves either.
<Sounds good, Scott V.>
Sebastian |
Condy Compatibility 2/13/08
Hi all,
How's it going?
<Going good so far.>
I just have a quick question. I work at a
LFS and I was wondering if we could put two Condy Anemones, three
brittle stars (species unknown) and one Chocolate Chip Starfish in a
twenty-gallon long tank? The reason for it is they are in a 100
gallon fish only (besides them of course) tank, and the fish just
recently got marine ich, and it's a whole lot easier to move these
few things than to move all the fish.
<Is that all you guys have
is two tanks? Should really keep the anemones alone, much safer for
the other inhabitants.>
Thanks,
<You're welcome. James (Salty
Dog)>
Brandon
Re: 20 gallon salt tank? Condy. comp. 2/14/08
Yes, currently we only have two salt tanks (I know that's not many;
in fact, we should have at the very least three more, however, I
have had a hard enough time convincing my boss to let me set up the
twenty gallon, although I'm still trying). I've read elsewhere that
Condy anemones are pretty safe with fish, was that misinformation?
Thanks for your help,
Brandon
<Mmm, this genus is generally
okay... in stable systems, with Condylactis that aren't "shedding"
much due to poor handling... with fishes from the tropical West
Atlantic, that recognize them... Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/condycompfaq.htm
and the linked files
above. Bob Fenner> |
Condylactis Anemones and Clownfish – 12/27/07
Hi.
<<Hello>>
Got a Condy anemone from the fish store.
<<Okay>>
This is my
first.
<<I hope you did a bit of research on the genus/species
first>>
I've heard many different opinions on this....are clowns and
condos compatible?
<<Sometimes…sometimes not… Though I must admit to
hearing more “success stories” than not re this association these days>>
I have maroon clown.
<<I hope it is a big Condylactis>>
Will
either be a danger to the other?
<<Is always a possibility…but may
very well be fine (How’s that for straddling the fence?). Truth is, it’s
an unnatural association…but I “have” heard of it working>>
Do hermit
crabs eat anemones?
<<The smaller commonly available and so-called
“reef-safe” species shouldn’t be a problem>>
Also, I'd like to keep
species from the same ocean, as you say.
<<Ah well, a commendable
pursuit…but you have already failed this by mixing an anemone endemic to
the tropical Western Atlantic Ocean with a clown fish (clownfish are not
found in the Atlantic at all)>>
Any sites that list fish/inverts by
origin?
<<Indeed there are… An excellent resource is fishbase.org for
your finned finds, and some purposeful hunting on Coral Search at
http://www2.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/coralsearch.php will help with
corals... Other organisms of interest can likely be tracked down as to
ocean/region/origin with some time and effort spent making keyword
searches on the NET in general>>
Thanks!
<<Happy to assist.
EricR>>
What happens within the tank when an Anemone dies? 12/20/07
Hi
Crew,
<Hello Bobby, Brenda here!>
I have a question about
Condylactis Anemones.
<Okay!>
If I were to buy a Condylactis, and
it happen to die (obviously not hoping, just sort of planning ahead),
what would happen within the tank? Would this pretty much crash my tank?
<It is a definite possibility, especially in smaller tanks.>
I'm new
to anemones so any information about what happens after their death
would help.
<They can fall to pieces, and are very hard to get out of
the water in one piece. You may need to siphon a lot of it out. It
smells horrible, and will cause an ammonia spike. You will need to do
several large water changes over the next few days. Having a supply of
premixed saltwater is always recommended for emergencies. I recommend
researching their care several months in advance so you can eliminate
the chances of it dying. More information here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm
>
Thank you very much, Bobby
<You’re welcome! Brenda>
Condylactis Hosting Maroon Clownfish, Allelopathy – 9/27/07
Good
morning again Crew!
<Good Morning Amanda! Brenda here>
Mr. Fenner,
Thank you very much for your advice on my Bubble Coral, and tank
situation. Sorry to bug you guys with another question so soon.
<Not
a problem!>
This time it is about the Maroon clown hosting in the
Condylactis. The Condy we have had for about a year now, and it has
always done very well (except for the week we bought the Maroon Clown
and one of the LFS talked me into buying a Carpet Anemone, because that
is what the Clown was hosting in at the store). Anyway, lesson learned
quickly there.
<Yes, I can imagine!>
I removed the Carpet on the
third day, as it was dying. This caused the Condy to seem to be in poor
health for about 2 weeks, he bounced back better than ever, though the
tentacles changed from white slowly to a reddish brown color. The Maroon
clown instantly took up residence in the Condy as soon as he was put in
the tank, even though the poor thing was still trying to recover. But
recover he did!
<Excellent job on the recovery!>
This was around 2
months ago, and the Condy has now doubled in size! He seems to have
grown to fit the Maroon, which initially was about the same size. They
seem to be a match made in heaven and the Maroon Clown, keeps him well
fed. You had said that the Condy and the Maroon Clown were not
compatible, which I had also read, but since they have paired up so well
are they just freaks, or does this occasionally happen?
<Yes, it does
occasionally happen in captivity. It does not however mean that they
will continue this “match made in heaven” behavior long term. Are you
positive that this anemone is a Condylactis?>
I'm also guessing, even
though there were no signs yet, this is when the trouble started with
the Bubble Coral also. Am I correct in that assumption?
<When an
anemone dies the rest of the livestock will typically show immediate
signs of stress. Bob’s original advice is correct here “Cnidarian
allelopathy”.>
Thanks again for your boundless knowledge!
Amanda
<You’re welcome! Brenda>
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: Condylactis passiflora, intra species contention?, and now Goniopora
ID, feeding, sys. 7/13/07
Thanks very much for your
enlightening response ;-)
Have actually spent literally years reading
WetWebMedia FAQs and articles, was merely struggling a bit with this
one, in any case have re-tackled the Alkalinity/Hardness/Ca issue and
think I'm pretty much across the concepts (if I'm not , then I suspect I
never will be). Have tested my water (PH 8.2, Salinity 1.025, Nitrates
>60ppm, no
Nitrites or Ammonia, Temp 24C, Ca 340ppm, dKH 12.5), and
doesn't seem too bad.
Regarding the possible Condy contention below ,
should I move one of them out if I can get the chance ( if they come out
of the holes they have burrowed into to)?
<Yes, I would>
Condylactis Anemone Compatibility 4/10/07
Hello,
<Hi Cindy>
I have been searching for the past few days and can not find an answer
to this. What are the natural enemies of a Condylactis anemone? I have
heard that blue leg hermit crabs will attack them.. but have found
nothing to prove that (just a rumor at this point).
<Do not believe
the blue legs will be a problem. The Four Eye Butterfly Fish which is
native to these waters would be a problem with the Condy.
The
Condylactis (gigantea) has many symbioses also; Periclimenes anthophilus
(cleaner shrimp), Stenorhynchus seticornis (Arrow Crab) and Apogon spp.
(juvenile wrasses).
As for compatibility with other animals, I
advise you to search for a fish/invert you wish to add to be sure that
either the anemone or fish/invert will be compatible with each other.>
We are wanting to set up a tropical Atlantic only tank and want to avoid
any problems with critters attacking the Condylactis when the time
finally comes to purchase one. I know it will be some time before we
actually add the anemone to the tank; but also want to avoid any
problems with unsuitable tank mates.
<Understand.>
<<Likely only large crabs, possibly Angels will be problematical here.
RMF>>
Thank you for any assistance you can give me.
<You're
welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Cindy
p.s.
We already have two
reef tanks up and running, so we are not complete newbies to reef
keeping.. just can't find a straight answer on the question at hand.
<Searching/reading/learning will pay big dividends in this hobby.>
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> Anemone vs. coral
...Free Range Condys ...Time to Relocate. 1/8/07
Hello,
<Hi Jay, Mich with you today.>
great site, I have learned a lot from
your site.
<Thank you! Always good to hear that someone has been
able to use the site to educated themselves!>
But I think I have
made a mistake on my own, and need some advice.
<Most mistakes we
make ourselves.>
I recently purchased an expensive Pagoda, not
thinking-because I never had any trouble in the past, but now I am
scared, I have 2 Condy anemone that like to move a lot, like every 2
days.
<Yikes!>
Should I fear for the safety of my Pagoda?
<Ahh, yeah!>
And should I loose the Condy's?
<I would find them
a new more appropriate home. Please make sure whoever provides for the
Condys is aware of their care requirements.>
Thanks, Jay
<Welcome! -Mich> Condy Anemone
Compatibility/Care 1//106
Hi,
<Hello Tina>
I am new to
the saltwater hobby and got a 29g Oceanic BioCube tank for Christmas.
<Lucky you.>
It has all the lighting and wet/dry filter included in
the back. I added LS and some BioSpira to cycle it. I then added LR and
a horseshoe crab a few days later. Yesterday, I added 3 blue legged
crabs, 1 scarlet legged crab, 1 feather duster, a green brittle seastar,
a Sebae Clownfish, a Mandarin Goby, and a Florida Condy Anemone. I read
that the Florida Condy does not usually have a clownfish occupant
however my clownfish is in heaven among that thing.
<Oh Tina, what a
terrible start you are off to. Your tank is too small to support an
anemone. They are very sensitive to parameter changes in the water
which
can happen quickly in small tanks. Furthermore, the lighting
that is supplied with the Oceanic system is not strong enough for the
anemone to survive. Most anemones are photosynthetic, that is, they
produce much of their own food. Mandarin Gobies
do best with a diet
of live food such as copepods/amphipods and they are difficult to
acclimate to prepared foods. This is one fish you should return to the
dealer, not a good fish to start out with and they to, do best in larger
systems with plenty of live rock. I would also pack up the anemone to
take back with
the goby. In your beginning stage, along with your
knowledge and type of system you have, these two will perish shortly.>
My question is referring to my horseshoe crab. I noticed him swimming
over and over again, and he would often get in the water current from
the filter and land on my anemone!!! I kept pulling him out of the
anemone because I was not sure if that was okay and it looked like the
anemone was trying to pull him in.
Can this anemone sting/kill any
of my invertebrates (horseshoe crab or seastar especially)?
<Can,
yes.>
Also, should I continue to let my clownfish nestle among him
if it usually does not have occupants?
<Yes, the clownfish is in no
danger.>
Lastly, Why does my horseshoe crab swim around like
this...I thought they just walked along the bottom?
<Probably
looking for food. They normally stay buried in the sand looking for
food, and again, this crab is really not suited for small systems. I
strongly
suggest the return of the anemone and goby. The anemone
will die soon under the conditions of your system. When this happens,
you will more than likely
lose all other life in the tank. Do
search our site for information on the occupants of your tank, learn
their needs, care, compatibility, etc. I'll start you off with a link
on the Condy. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condyanemones.htm Do
read the linked files above also. There is much to learn, and you
should learn
about what you wish to buy and see if your system and
knowledge can support it.>
Thanks!!
<You're welcome. James
(Salty Dog)>
Tina Miller
55 gallon tank with Condy
6/12/06
My husband and I are putting together a 55 gallon for our
Condy. We have a 75 gallon reef tank with tangs that we are getting the
Condy out of. Would the following be suitable together: Condy, fu Manchu
lionfish, snowflake eel, some kind of starfish and maybe a lobster?
<Uh, no... the Lion and Eel are too likely to be stung by this TWA
Anemone, the Lobster too likely to eat it, and in turn all else>
Will also have a couple of turbo snails in there. Nothing definite yet
but this is what we are contemplating and we are trying to do our
research ahead of time like good little girls and boys...
<Good
practice>
any other suggestions... will need low lighting for the
Condy, will everything else do okay in this lighting configuration. Will
not have any corals in this tank... thanks Melissa and Micah
<Keep
reading... on WWM re all these species... Systems, Compatibility... all
posted. Bob Fenner> Condylactis/Compatibility
6/12/06
Hello WWM:
<Hello Melissa>
I have a 75 gallon
with a couple of tangs, various corals, mushrooms, crabs, snails feather
worms and one Condylactis anemone. We have decided to remove our Condy
and the live rock he is on and place him in his own 20 long tank,
possibly later upgrading this tank to a 55 long. I am on a quest trying
to find out what would be compatible tankmates for this Condy. We don't
want to fill up the tank, but at least have maybe 4 or 5 different
species. Any suggestions?
<The 20 gallon is too small a tank for
keeping anemones and a 20 gallon tank is not going to support 4 or 5
fish, if by "species" is what you meant.
The 55 would work for this
type anemone and is better to stock with fish that are safe with
anemones such as clownfish. Do read here and related links
above. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm. James
(Salty Dog)> Re: 55 gallon tank with condy
6/13/06
I did read through several pages of compatibility for the
condy but cannot find anything that will be suitable to keep in a tank
with a condy. Any suggestions...
<Oh yes... most all that can be
bought from the tropical West Atlantic that won't eat Condylactis (e.g.
large angels, triggers) or be eaten by them (Jawfishes, gobies)... See
Paul Humann, Ned DeLoach's works, WWM re such biotopic choices. Bob
Fenner> My Husband the
Condylactis
>I posted this on your chat forum site as well, but
thought I would email you directly.
>>I personally don't usually
visit the forum, let's see what you have for us today.
>My husband
(who is like a little kid in a candy store at our LFS)...
>>As have I
been in the wholesaler's.
>...decided to buy some clownfish over the
weekend. We have a 55gal tank w/approx. 60-70lbs of live rock, and live
sand. About 10 snails, and 10 crabs. The tank has completely cycled and
we just started adding new critters last week. He brought home some
xenia and a couple
featherdusters early last week. And then just like
an impatient 2yr old, he went back and bought 2 clownfish and a Condy
anemone a few days later.
>>You do have your hands full, don't you?
My fiancé and I are delaying a new tank because we keep arguing over
stocking (what) and husbandry.
>He said he was told by a girl at the
store that the fish would use the Condy as a host, which I have since
found out, sounds highly unlikely.
>>NOT unknown, but then again,
Clownfishes have been known to host powerheads. This is not, however,
their natural state, as the Condylactis as an Atlantic native, and
Clownfishes are Pacific only.
>The girl also didn't bother to ask him
what else was in the tank, and my idiot didn't offer the information to
her either.
>>Well, she probably wouldn't have known what to do with
the information had he given it to her anyway.
>My problem now is
that the Condy is basically attacking our xenia!!!
>>Uh oh! Time to
sell it back to that girl, methinks.
>I don't know what to do.
>>Remove it. We really do discourage people from placing motile,
stinging inverts, such as anemones, with sessiles for exactly this
reason.
>We move it to the opposite side of the tank, and the next
morning, it's back on top of the xenia again. Is this going to kill my
xenia?
>>Very well could, or at least greatly limit its growth.
>Or what should I do with the Condy?
>>Send it back.
>It
basically sounds like the Condy is just going to be a nuisance to our
tank. Are all anemones like this?
>>Essentially, fundamentally yes.
>Do we even need an anemone for the fish?
>>Not at all! Also, many
folks are finding that their tank-bred/raised Clownfishes don't seem to
KNOW what to do with anemones. This won't harm or affect the fish
negatively at all.
>I'm apologizing for my husband's childish
behavior in advance.... He now understands why it is important to read
up on everything before you buy it! Robyn Sampson
>>Short, swift,
sweet lesson. Not so much childish as impulsive, and I suffer from the
same malady on more than a few occasions myself. Marina My Husband the Condylactis - Follow-up
>Thank you
very much for you helpful insight. Glad to say the Condy is on its way
back to the store.
>>Robyn, you're very welcome. A warning to be
prepared, when people get into this hobby it can quickly become an
addiction. Impulse control is the biggest problem. Marina
Condylactis Anemone - 06/01/05
I recently bought a Condy at my
LFS and the salesman told me that pretty much any clownfish would host
with it.
<<Really? I would disagree considering this anemone is an
Atlantic specie and clownfish are NOT found in the Atlantic. This
unnatural mix usually winds up with one or the other animal being
killed. Do have a read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condylactis.htm >>
Well with more
research I found that the only decent choice would be a tomato clown.
<<Hmm...based on what criteria, I wonder?>>
Are there any
invertebrates or fish that will naturally host with this anemone and
will it cause problems with the animals I already have in the tank? I
have...
1 3.5 in dwarf fuzzy lionfish
2 damsels
2 hermits
1
chocolate chip starfish
<<I'm not aware of any symbionts for the
Condylactis anemone, <<A few crabs, shrimp... RMF>> as for your existing
tank inhabitants, a large Condy could pose a threat to your fish.
Regards, Eric Russell.>>
Condy and emerald?..... Nemo and
Dory?
Hi WWM. I have a question for you guys. Is there a
connection between Condy anemones and emerald crabs?
<Evidently so:
http://www.tmbl.gu.se/pdf/TMBL_pdf/Library_and_databases_pdf/examensarbeten_pdf/Lisbeth20p.pdf
>
I introduced my Condy (since it was in a in-tank refugium) into the
main part of my 55 reef and the emerald crab shot right to it. Always
staying right by it like a clownfish with anemone. Perhaps it needs
comfort? No predators in my tank. I don't know if you guys have heard of
this relationship but it kinda seemed weird to me. This is not the first
time this has happened to me. Different emeralds and different Condys.
What are your thoughts? Keep up the good work. Teddy
<Will try, am
trying. Bob Fenner>
Condy Anemone - 07/11/05
I recently bought a Condy anemone and
added to my collection of a BTA, sailfin tang, regal tang, copperband
butterfly, diamond goby, algae blenny, serpent star along with several
inverts and a few mushroom corals and button polyps.
<<I hope this
tank is a couple hundred gallons in size...>>
I awoke the next
morning to find that my Condy inevitably moved to my power head and is
no longer with us today.
<<Sadly...an all too common problem with
motile inverts.>>
The problem is that the next day all my fish
showed very distressed breathing and the regal and butterfly have now
died to the sailfin, goby, and blenny are doing somewhat okay still
showing difficulty breathing, however all the inverts including the
coral and BTA are doing just fine. Could this outbreak of death and
destruction be caused by the Condy dieing and possibly releasing a toxin
into my tank.
<<Strongly coincidental at the least. I think a large
water change/carbon filtration are in order here. Eric R.>>
Anemone loss trouble in turn? Checking on the checkers on the
checkers... 7/12/05
Bob,
Was reading through the sent
mail. A query from Nathan on a "Condy
Anemone". Writer states
Condy got stuck in power head and he lost it.
Then, lost a couple
sensitive fish the next day. The writer asked if death
could have
been caused by toxins from the dead Condy. Eric R. wrote
"strangely
coincidental". My opinion is the death of the fish was caused by
this. Seen it too many times. Agree?
Regards,
James (Salty)
<Mmm, I'd almost bet Eric meant "strongly" rather than strangely. Eric?
BobF>
<<Hmm, yes...maybe my poor choice of wording. I definitely
meant to imply
the incidents were very likely related. Eric R.>>
Condylactis host question
I have a 37 gallon aquarium that I plan
on being a reef tank with maroon
clowns being the show fish. Right
now my lighting is in order. Showing a lack of patience and a large
interest in anemones, I purchased a Condy pink tipped tubes with a white
body. Now the question is will any fish host with this anemone?
<No
natural hosts. Some captive raised clownfish will host in just about
anything.>
One more side question, what will be my best choice host
for the maroon clown?
<E. quadricolor. Please read up on anemones and
their care. Here are three articles you should read:
http://trickstr.tripod.com/survey_r.htm
http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_toonen8.html
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/bubbletipanemones.htm
Sincerely, Steven Pro> Tomato Clown
Hi guys! This is not
really a question. I recently and stupidly bought a Condylactis anemone,
Florida pink tipped, and after searching I could not find anything that
was listed as a host or at least nothing that I could find at the LFS.
<There are no clownfish in the Caribbean, so no natural clownfish host
anemones there.>
So, I bought a tomato clown and by the grace of god
he did it for a month. Now they live together the clown feeds and cleans
the anemone. I just thought that it was a really neat thing you might
appreciate. Josh
<This is an uncommon event. Sometimes the clownfish
go for it, other times not. You have a better chance with captive raised
clownfish vs. wild caught. Thank for the report. -Steven Pro>
Clownfish & Condylactis
Dear Bob,
I noticed that in your
article on clownfish, you deem Condylactis anemones unsuitable for
clownfish.
<Mmm, yes... in so much that these associations too often
result in the Clowns being consumed>
Well, I have 2 Indonesian
two-banded (?- that's what they were called in the shop) clowns who love
their three Condylactis and took to them in about 3 days.
<Yes, this
happens>
In return the Condys are hardy, robust and beautiful, as
well as cheap and eco-friendly.
Keep up the good work anyway!
Massimo Redaelli, Brighton UK
<Thank you for your input. Will post
for others edification. Bob Fenner> Re: clownfish & Condylactis
What an amazingly fast response! By the way my clowns were only about
2cm long (now about 4) and luckily they are doing fine.
<Good to
hear... they are likely captive-produced (the premier facility for this
is Tropic Marine Centre:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/tmcpropc.htm and these
successively tank bred species have proven to keep the trend of being
much hardier... tolerant if you will, of aquarium conditions. Cheers,
Bob Fenner>
Cheers,
M Condylactis passiflora symbionts,
Clownfish/TWA Anemone associations
on the website it shows
symbionts for the Condylactis gigantea, but I did not see any for the
Condylactis passiflora. I have a 37gl tank I would like to set up with
the appropriate symbionts.
<Various references list all but the
Blenny as being associated with both Condylactis species>
I also
noticed that you stated a clown would be eaten by a Condy. and I saw
this thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=53289 and
was wondering if this person was just lucky or time would tell.
<There are a few accounts of Clownfishes (none found in the Atlantic)
forming associations with Atlantic and other not-natural anemones (and
other stinging-celled life... and non-living objects... shoes,
rubber-bands)... though generally they're consumed by tropical West
Atlantic actinarians. If you'll read further through the WWM FAQs you'll
see a modified response. Thank you for writing. Bob Fenner>
thanks
chip Condylactis - Answer from Anthony
I have recently
been reading about long term success of reef tanks. I have an LPS tank
with sump and refugium. This tank also includes a Condy Anemone (s?).
Will this anemone be a problem in the short or long term with the LPS
corals or clams.
<as long as it stays in place I have little concern
although it is never to be recommended. Anemones and coral are recipes
for disaster in the long run due to the motile nature of the anemones.
It is very likely that it will roam within years if not months and in a
tank of other stinging cnidarians a serious battle will be waged. A very
unnatural combination if nothing else. Enjoy the one that you have but
do resist getting any more>
The tank has 200 Watts of Smartlight and
55 gal of tank water.
Last question, is a green brittle star a good
scavenger for my refugium or maybe in main tank??
<O. incrassata
(green brittle starfish) is one of the only non-reef safe "serpent"
starfish. They have been observed eating small Tridacnid clams and will
catch small fish and crustaceans while they sleep. Not an outright
menace, but in time it will catch something. I'd remove it to the
refugium myself. Still... a very beautiful echinoderm>
Yellow tang
coral beauty
2 false Percs
cleaner wrasse
fire shrimp
torch
bubble
flowerpot
Condy
thanks, Jeremy
<kind regards, Anthony
Calfo> Condylactis - Answer from Steve
I have recently
been reading about long term success of reef tanks. I have an LPS tank
with sump and refugium. This tank also includes a Condy Anemone (s?).
Will this anemone be a problem in the short or long term with the LPS
corals or clams. The tank has 200 Watts of Smartlight and 55 gal of tank
water.
<The problem with keeping any anemone in a reef tank is that
they can wander and sting your other animals.>
Last question, is a
green brittle star a good scavenger for my refugium or maybe in main
tank?
<No, green brittle starfish are notorious fish eaters.>
Yellow tang
coral beauty
2 false Percs
cleaner wrasse
fire
shrimp
torch
bubble
flowerpot
Condy
thanks, Jeremy
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro> Hands across the water
I
just got a Condylactis Anemone, will a Percula clown take this as its
host,
also I am worried about my Long-Spined Porcupine he blow up a
couple times after
I put in the Condylactis Anemone, is this just
because he was scared or with
they not get along. Also is the
Condylactis Anemone poisons, and what does it
eat. thanks
>>
If
the Clown goes in, it will likely be a one way trip... Condylactis
Anemones are from the Atlantic... No Clownfishes found there...
The
Puffer is probably acting out... but may well eat the Anemone if so
inclined (though there are instances of symbioses between these
groups... just not dependable... recommendable to try).
Condylactis
anemones are mildly venomous (never ate one, so I don't know about how
poisonous they might be)... but other animals do eat them in the wild.
What do they eat? Most anything meaty.... don't overfeed them... once,
twice a week some small bits.
Bob Fenner, who encourages you to
"study up" ahead of livestock purchases.... Condylactis
Bob,
Can a dead Condylactis poison a tank?
<Oh yes>
Over the
last two weeks I have lost
all my inverts (20 snails, 10 hermits, 3
emerald crabs, 2 stars, mushrooms
and 2 Condys). The first to go was
a Condy that I was unable to find and
remove it just disappeared in
my live rock. Shortly thereafter the same
fate befell the other Condy
and again I was unable to remove it. Couple of
days later I had a 4
degree spike in temperature which lasted approximately
24 hours.
Since these episodes I have lost all my inverts as listed above.
<Not
able to say whether the conditions that led to the loss of the Atlantic
Anemone had whatever to do with the loss of the rest... but the
temperature spike definitely didn't help>
During this period I have
performed 2 water changes (15% each) and the
second time I added
Chemi-pure. I have not replaced my filter media for
fear of total
system collapse but I am considering this as my next move.
Three days
ago I proceeded to add 10 more snails and within 24 hours all
were
dead. All the fish look fine except for the three Damsels whose fins are
tattered. I believe this to be a result from my cutback from feeding the
fish which I resumed yesterday.
<All sounds reasonable>
My live
rock has supported my other
live stock during this period. All water
parameters are fine, I drip
Kalkwasser at night and add baking soda
in the morning which keeps my pH
pegged between 8.5 - 8.45. Any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Nick
<Would have done
much larger water changes... 50%, with pre-made water... but otherwise
pretty much what you have done... Best now to wait, watch, hope and not
over-react.
Bob Fenner> Re: Condylactis
Bob,
Thanks for your quick response. As a follow up to my original inquiry
(see
below) I have now lost two damsels, the third is also doing
poorly. The
signs are all the same parts of their body/scales look
faded and their
pectoral fins are shredded. My Kole tang has been
hiding in a cave and only
darted out to grab food and darted back.
His scales between the eyes and in
front of his dorsal fin are fading
though it looks more like scratches but
his fins are fine. All other
fish seem fine and are eating. Last night I
cleaned out one of the
filters and this morning I added stress coat.
Tonight I will do
another water change (25%)and clean out the other filter.
The only
remaining items in the tank are the live rock, lawnmower blenny,
scooter blenny, flame angel and two clowns. Any other suggestions?
Nick
<Let's see... really just to do as you're doing... and wait of
course on adding anything more in the way of livestock till a couple of
weeks have gone past with none of the symptomology listed here... Good
luck.
Bob Fenner> Condylactis/Clowns?
Bob! I am in
need of your help once again! Can you tell me of any Anemonefish will
host with a Condylactis, Atlantic? Thanks so much again.
Dave
<Well, as you likely know these animals are "an ocean apart"... and not
"naturally" symbiotic... but sometimes, some do mix... including all the
popular tank-bred species... But no guarantees... often as not the
Anemone eats the erstwhile Clown... I would read over the general
Anemone pieces on the www.WetWebMedia.com site again... I've placed more
images of the anemones, and made/placed a table there ala Fautin of who
goes with who in the wild. Bob Fenner> Re: Condy Question
Sorry to keep bothering you Bob, but I had another question about
Atlantic Condys. Will my pink skunk host with it? It has already hosted
with a long tentacle anemone which will not be in that tank anymore.
What are the chances of the two forming a new bond? Thank you so much
again.
Dave
<Only experience can/will tell my friend, for you and
your livestock. Bob Fenner> Condy question
Bob,
I
have 3 Condys in my 30 gallon tank. One is rather large being about a 4
inch base and opening as large as a grapefruit, the other two are small.
I have lost 4 clownfish and 4 damsels since placing the large one in the
tank. I found the remains of two just below it, partially eaten. The
others seemed to get listless and eventually die with no marks upon
their bodies. The tank is established, the nitrates are good, the
nitrites are 0 as is the ammonia. The ph is good and the salinity is at
1.023 and the temp is 79 degrees. The only thing I could think of that
might have killed them was the Condy, is this possible? Also, what would
you recommend to put in with him if this is the case? Thanks, Ginger
<Hmm, well, you don't mention about the tanks filtration, circulation...
but yes to the Condylactis anemones being capable, likely as the cause
of mortality here.... Yes also to the possibility of clowns and other
fishes "learning" to live in the presence, even associate with these
Atlantic Anemones... (all Clownfishes are Indo-Pacific)... If I were
trying to keep these disparate animals together I might keep the new
clowns in a separate tank (a ten gallon quarantine/hospital system will
do) and slowly (like a gallon every few days) move some "anemone tank"
water over to their system... And a note re the filtration mentioned
before... do provide some fine particulate/mechanical sieving to remove
anemone material in the water column... and some activated carbon
(replaced about once a month) to counter some of the possible ill
effects of dissolved matter in the water as well. Bob Fenner, who would
really just keep tropical West Atlantic with these Condylactis. Please
see Anemone sections on the site: www.wetwebmedia.com> Re:
Condy question
Bob,
Thanks again, I was just at the site and
it was wonderfully helpful. I am
thinking about maybe Banggai
cardinal fish and an Atlantic blue tank with
maybe a royal Gramma and
red spotted hawkfish later.......still more
researching to do. My
husband would love a Picasso triggerfish but from the
research I have
done, that doesn't sound like a good idea. Thanks again,
Ginger
<Do keep investigating... your tank is small and this is really going to
limit your choices... Perhaps a larger system for your anniversary (any
event will do... the Deed of Gift date of the Statue of Liberty is just
around the corner...) for the larger tank... and then using the smaller
one for quarantine/new specimens... Bob Fenner> Re: Condy
question
Thanks Bob,
I do have a good protein skimmer system
on the tank as well as a Penguin Bio
Wheel 330 filtration system. I
will go to the anemone site but would also
like to ask for some
examples of West Atlantic tropicals please? Ginger
<They're listed on
the site: Acanthurus coeruleus, Bodianus rufus, Opistognathus aurifrons,
Gramma loreto... many, many more, and references. Bob Fenner>
Atlantic anemone
Hi,
<Howdy>
I read interest you FAQ's
regarding the Atlantic anemone. I have a green one that I purchased as
a charity case over a year ago and it has since grown to approx 10"
diameter when extended with a 3" diameter disc in my 75 gal tank. My
tomato clown took up residence with it several months ago and though it
seems to be a one sided relationship on the clowns side the anemone has
thrived. My question is - I have been told that the anemone will
'sting' and consequently kill corals and other anemones.
<Mmm, well
this is possible... but not necessarily so. They do live amongst such
animals in the wild...>
I have added several small corals to my
tank and they are doing well where currently placed, but if Mr. Anemone
decides to move again it will have contact with them. It has stayed in
the same place for a few months so I am hoping it is happy there. Am I
waiting for disaster to happen?
<Can't say. Some specimens do go
"wandering", generally following a deficit in their current situation,
very commonly low light intensity, phase shift of "old" lamps. If
they're all getting along chemically for now, I wouldn't be overly
concerned. You are likely to see something happening if it does decide
to move before real trouble. Bob Fenner>
Thanks, Nancy D
Toxic spawn? 3/14/03
Quick question about a Condylactis (sp)
anemone...last night. seemed to be spewing out a murky film. with in 10
minutes all the fish were dead!. they were floating upside down as I was
trying to do an emergency water change...but no luck... they all died as
well as 2 cleaner shrimps/banded shrimp as well...all snails and other
critters are fine...the tank is 3 years old and had been totally fine
until last night. these were all original inhabitants of the tank.
fish/anemone. everything was added together. I thought the anemone was
dieing ..looked all deflated etc.. but this morning it is fine. inflated
to regular size...which is huge! the foot is close to 3 inched
across...but seemed to have the same murky film coming from its mouth.
although not as much as last night...water is cloudy as well. another
water change today...any ideas?. there is no foul smell coming from the
tank or anemone...all water param's are fine...weekly changes etc...I am
stumped/bummed out...any ideas? Thanks guys Pete
<the first thing
that comes to mind is a reproductive act where the gametes were toxic.
"Toxic eggs" are rather common among reef invertebrates...a sensible
evolutionary strategy. In the wild they are simply noxious in the vast
expanse of seawater and dissuade most predators from eating them by
taste. In a closed aquarium, however, merely "noxious" can become
"fatal". Just a guess... it is a bit odd that all but the anemone died.
You can rule out a pathogen too as both inverts (shrimp) and fishes died
and diseases are almost never shared between the groups. My regrets,
bud. If its any consolation, such events are rare in captivity. But
continue to do several large water changes (25-50%) in the next week and
use chemical filtration media heavily (carbon/Polyfilters). Kindly,
Anthony> Condy Anemone
Hi guys! I need to pick your
brains a bit. I just added a small Condy (Condylactis passiflora) to my
nano-reef tank but I want to make sure I'm not taking too big a risk
here. The specs on the tank are as follows:10g tank with trickle filter
- cycled for about 4 months32w PC 50/50 (half 8800k Ultra Daylight, half
Ultra Actinic) lighting
<This should be fine for Condylactis
anemones>
pH 8.3 temp 79 nitrites - consistent 0ammonia - consistent
0nitrates - 0 - kept low by doing small daily water changes salinity -
1.023crushed granite substrate of about 1"about 20lbs LR no protein
skimmer do to the design of the tank/filter/light The livestock is as
follows:2 small TR Ocellaris Clowns1 small yellow watchman Goby - he
will be moved to my main tank as soon as he's a bit bigger 2 Mithrax
crabs2 Astrea snails1 Impatiens Cucumber group of mushroom polyps The
clowns are between 1" and 1.25" and the Goby is about 1.5" long. The
Condy is about 2.5" when he's fully opened, his base is about .75". He's
been QT'd at my LFS for a couple of
weeks in a tank with other TR
Clowns and not harmed any but am I running a big risk of him eating my
two?
<Not much. Chances are very good your clowns will actually
learn to associate with the anemone. I would introduce them during the
early day and leave a light on outside the tank for the first few
nights.>
When I started my first marine tank (my larger show tank) I
lost a Condy and a BTA, the Condy due to a combo of him getting sucked
into the filter and low lighting and the BTA due to low lighting. There
may have also been chemical warfare going on between the two since they
positioned themselves very close to each other.
<Common problems as
you now know>
I learned from my mistakes there and now should be able
to provide proper care for this guy but I want to make sure I'm not
going to lose my clowns, I've become very attached to them! Thanks!
Ronni
<I give you very good odds of having no problems here. Bob>
Condylactis and other cnidarians
>Hey guys,
>>And
gals. Marina here.
>Have a quick question, In my tank right now I
have a Condylactis Anemone, Xenia, Long spine Urchin, Sand Sifting Star,
and a few fish. I am planning on getting a pair of True Percula Clowns
for my tank. I will be getting rid of everything else before I do so.
With the Clown fish I plan on getting a host anemone. I know you guys do
not recommend anemones but I would really like to get one.
>>The
issue here is the ability of the aquarist.
>Mine I have now has done
great probably doubled in size and I keep it very healthy.
>>Condylactis are considered almost bullet-proof (no one seems to have
trouble growing Aiptasia, so we can include those pests as well). They
are a far cry from something as demanding as, say, a sebae.
From what
I have read in your FAQ's and other info on your site is that the Sebae
Anemone would be the best bet for the True Perculas. Would you agree
with that?
>>Sebae, or possible a Bubble Tip Anemone, which tend to
be more forgiving in general.
>Okay now my real question, I need to
get my Condylactis Anemone out but it has gotten itself deep down in a
crack of my live rock. The only way I could think of to get it to move
was to cover the light where it shines on it and hopefully it would move
on its own. I do not want to risk tearing its foot by trying to pull it
out of the crack. What would be the best way to get it to move to a
surface where it can be easily removed?
>>Unfortunately, once an
anemone finds itself a place it likes, you're going to be hard pressed
to get it to remove itself. You *could* try this method, I can't tell
you whether or not this will definitely work. What about just removing
the rock it's anchored itself to?
>Also with the host anemone that I
get will it be a threat to the Xenia?
>>Yes. Mixing cnidaria,
especially motile versus sessile really is not a good idea. Actually,
I'm going to leave no doubt in your (or anyone else's who might read
this) and say that it's a terrible idea, especially in the confines of a
tank.
>I spend a lot of time on your website and can never really
find an exact answer. I hope I am not bothering you with my questions.
>>ABSOLUTELY NOT! You are not bothering us, you're helping us add to
the vast amount of information that is out there, but that hasn't
answered your question. Don't think for a minute that you're the only
one out there who's had the same questions!
>Thanks, Chris Hepburn
>>You're welcome, and here are some links again-->
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cnidaria.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm
>>Marina I Want A Condy! (Not Rice, Either)
>Hi guys,
>>Hello.
>I have seen a Condylactis anemone today at
a LFS and I have found it really nice and not too expensive.
<<"A
shrubbery!" RMF>>
I went on WWM and have read many FAQ on them and
some articles... I would like to know if it will be safe for my other
animals to add it and if it is safe to keep a Condys with corals, clams
and other invertebrate. This is want I have right now in my 50g tank:
>>Basically, the general answer is no, it's not a good idea to keep
mobile cnidarians (invertebrates with nematocysts that bust a move) with
sessile inverts.
>-2 tomato clown
-1 yellow wrasse
-1 hippo
tang
-1 cleaner shrimp
-4 snails
-1 hermit crab
-1 mushroom
anemone and a small baby :)
Technical feature have tank are:
-60
pounds of live rock
- 1 inch of sand
- 175 w metal halide
-blue
led light for night
-12 times turn over ... I am planning to increase
it to 18 times in the next week.
-1 CPR BakPak skimmer ( it will be
another skimmer in the next week) I will add a big 33 gal refugium with
mangrove and some algae on a reverse day period with deep sand bed in
the next week too.
>>Sounds as though you have quite the set of plans
for this system, all good. However, I wish to caution you against
mixing any anemone, as mentioned above. If your heart is set on
anemones, I suggest dedicating the system to them. Condys are very
pretty and easy to keep.
>I know that I am asking a lot of question
these days but I really want to do the best for my good marine friends
:) Thank you guys !!
>>By your listed plans, it truly appears that
way. I am certain that in your research you've also learned that the
tang won't last long in a tank that size. But, the addition of the
refugium will help at least with water volume, if not swimming
space. Hope this advice is helpful (you need no changes in lighting or
filtration for a Condylactis), and best of luck. Marina
- Packing Them In -
I just started my first saltwater tank 4
months ago. I have:
2 Damsels (White Tail & Yellow Tail)
23 small
blue-legged Hermit crabs
1 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Emerald Crab
1
Pygmy Angel
1 Royal Gramma
1 Purple Pseudochromis
1 Purple
(actually Orange) Chromis Anthias [probably mislabeled]
1 Raccoon
Butterfly
I just purchased a small pink tip anemone, it was only
$8.99 Canadian. I swear the thing has doubled it's size since I put it
in (24 hours ago)). I am a little worried for the safety of my
fish. They all seem to be avoiding it pretty well, which I guess is
instinctive.
The store (Big Al's) which I purchased the anemone from
had Royal Grammas, Pseudochromis, Pygmy Angel, Emerald Crab and
Peppermint Shrimp were all in the same store tank. Is there any real
danger from this kind of anemone? <Yes.>
Brian
PS: I forgot to
mention.. It's a 30 Gallon (tall) tank I also have lots of live rock.
The fish have been very healthy and have been there for 2 months. <Good
grief - this tank is really too small for the amount of life you have
packed in there. I'm guessing most of these fish are small, but they
won't stay that way. You need to consider thinning out your herd or
getting a larger tank if you want to insure your long-term success.
Cheers, J -- >
Anemone issues
Bob,
<Chris>
I have been reading your
articles on anemones
I am very upset at my local fish store.
I
have small Damsels and Tomato Clowns and False
clownfish in my
tank. All small (1 inch or so)
And they told me to buy these
tube anemones
http://www.nakian.com/marine/anenome_1.JPG
<Mmm, look like
Condylactis species>
I think they are tubes anyways.
Last
night I caught one eating a Damsel
<Not atypical... as you likely
know (now) these animals are not found in the same ocean...>
One
clown was so knocked out the he was stuck against
the filter.
And I believe another clown actually may have also
been stung the
night before.
<Possibly>
One of my clowns now is acting a bit
odd.
Always swimming near top of tank and he is not so
orange
anymore.
I fear he got grabbed the night before and got beat
up.
I assume my best course of action is to return the
anemones.
<Yes>
I have them quarantined in a section of the
tank now.
Please advise.
Thanks
-CPN
<Good luck my
friend. Studying new livestock purchases ahead of time will prevent
such future ordeals. I would not, do not rely on any one given
source of information... Bob Fenner> |
|
Re: Anemone issues
Bob,
After more reading it appears that I
have two Condys.
I am not really sure what to do with them.
-CPN
<Mmm, let's see... enjoy them? Take them back for trade-in? Get other
livestock that will go with them? Perhaps another tank/set-up? Bob
Fenner> |
|
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