Reefs.org Forums

[Yohimbe]

What would be a good choice for an anemone for a 29 gal reeftank?
I would like to add one that will not get huge and require
bigger housing eventualy. Any suggestions on anemones that will
stay relatively small?

Thanks
Yohimbe

[Matt_]

Aiptasia stays small.

There really aren't any host anemones that stay small in good conditions. Any of them can get big enough to completely fill up a tank that size, no problem.

Having said that, bubble tips (Entacmaea quadricolor) will typically split once they get larger, but there's no guarantee that they'll do so. I had one a long time ago that completely dominated one half of a 4 foot tank, and never split.

[Yohimbe]

OK, going to order 1 Aiptasia from Liveaquaria.com heh heh.

What about non-host anemones ? I was not necessarily thinking
of a clownfish host.
And thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Yohimbe

[tarpons]

Have you considered Rock Flower Anemone's? (Epicystis crucifer).

They are not brightly colored, but have interesting patterns and shapes. Their tentacles are isolated to the edge of the disc. They are very easy to keep & seem to max out at about a 4 - 6 inch diameter. They also don't move a lot.

Mine do not require any supplemental feeding. I've never seen them harm a fish either. If they do choose to move, they can harm other sessile invertebrates & corals, but they seldom ever move.

[Yohimbe]

That actualy sounds like a good choice. I'm going to look
for the Rock Flower. Thanks tarpons.

[Scoopy]

How about tube anemone? They look cool and say pretty small. If you shop around you can find them with flourescent insides.

Sam

[Yohimbe]

The Tube anemone looks interesting Scoopy, but I wonder about the nocturnal nature listed for this anemone. Do they eventualy become
non nocturnal in a rather brite aquarium?

[Matt_]

Everything You Need to know about Tube Anemones

[Scoopy]

One of the LFS has them all the time and they are always out to be seen. Maybe they come WAY out at night, but they look awesome. Im probably going to add a green/purple to my nano.

Sam

[Scoopy]

One of the LFS has them all the time and they are always out to be seen. Maybe they come WAY out at night, but they look awesome. Im probably going to add a green/purple to my nano.

Sam

[Yohimbe]

I like the look of some of the tube amenones, but im not sure my
substrate is deep enough in the front of the tank. Its about 2 1/2 in.
in front and slopes to 4 in. in back. Sounds like the PVC pipe section is
the best way to set one of these critters up but wouldnt look too good in
a small tank. A lot of good info in that link Matt, Thanks .

[vitz]

a 'youngish' cerianthus will easily occupy a cubic foot of space, fully extended, and they should have a deeep sand bed (6"+)


they grow quickly

having said that-they can indeed be easily kept in smaller tanks setup for them-they aren't needy for strong light, are very easily fed, and simply require pristine water quality, like all anemones (along with enough space, and an understanding that they will attempt to sting whatever they can reach/touch,which is where the cubic foot (minimum spacing to other sessiles) comes into play).i had two in a 15 tall w/a coral banded shrimp that doubled as a 'nitelight'- between the ethereal appearance of the anemones w/their long tentacles and the cbs w/its antennae walking everywhere after dusk, it was quite a kewl and spacey little tank (with just 3 main critters in it )

[jhemdal]

Check out Actinia equina. They are sometimes shipped from Australia. Very hardy, dard red anemone that doen't grow to more than 2" diameter. They can sting other animals though (about like a carpet). They'll split and grow for you; I used to sell offspring for $4 each back in the early 1980's.

Jay Hemdal