Anemone in an SPS tank

[LoneStarReef]

So, I am hoping to have a mostly SPS tank in the future. My tank is 9 mos old and I am letting it mature before I make my first SPS purchase. However, I really like anemones and am wanting to put one in my tank so my two clowns can (hopefully) live in it. However, I hear they can be a bit tricky and can move around quite a bit at first, which is why I want to get one before I get any SPS in there after the anemone has found its home.

Any experience out there in R2R land regarding having an anemone in an SPS tank? What kind is good to get that wont move around much? I've read the stories about them being chewed up by powerbeads and also about them moving around the tank and taking out a lot of the SPS corals.

Anyway, tell me the good/bad/ugly.

Thanks!

 

[happyhourhero]

I have had mine for about 3 years now. It has been my experience that if you provide it quality light and flow and a place where it can retract out of light and flow, it will not move.

Mine plays pretty nice with its neighbors and will anchor part of its disc in different places each day so it doesn’t blow much into other corals. I don’t ever see people talk about this but they will extend and right at the edge of the tentacles, they will stick to the rock and it will do this in several places so it ends up shaped like an amoeba during the daylight cycle.

At night, it retracts and remains big enough for the clowns to sleep.

I think they are extremely under rated and misunderstood. If you provide a great home for them, they mix in well and can become a centerpiece of your reef. If conditions are not right, they will cause you some issues for sure. It’s worth the risk to me.

 

[Robert McCreary]

anything that sticks to the sand im not a pro at this just thinking that you wouldnt really want a bta because they might climb and move all over your corals here is a list of anemones and may have helpful info about them
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/anemones-list-and-information.40356/

 

[Zos4me]

I agree mine moved once since I put it in the tank now he stays put and seems happy.

 

[Amoo]

Anyway, tell me the good/bad/ugly.

If you're going to be mad/upset/get rid of the nem because you value (or the market does) your SPS over a nem, you're better off not to get one to begin with. I'm honestly of the opinion if you're going to have a nem in your tank, you should be putting it in there with the attitude that it's the most important thing in your tank and you're willing to sacrifice anything else you put in there for the Nem. I only say that because Murphy.

This is not me trying to steer you away from nems, this is just me trying to set realistic expectations as again, Murphy.

 

[Dsnakes]

I am currently in your same situation. I am looking forward to an anemone. I’m sure I will lose a coral or 2 to a sting, but worth it to me. I did my aqua scape with it in mind for placement. Though the anemone probably won’t care

 

[BantyRooster97]

Try to put it on an island, and like mentioned above give it a place to retract to, like under a rock ledge or something.

And keep any high end or favorite SPS away for a while, until it finds its home.

 

[Dsnakes]

If you're going to be mad/upset/get rid of the nem because you value (or the market does) your SPS over a nem, you're better off not to get one to begin with. I'm honestly of the opinion if you're going to have a nem in your tank, you should be putting it in there with the attitude that it's the most important thing in your tank and you're willing to sacrifice anything else you put in there for the Nem. I only say that because Murphy.

This is not me trying to steer you away from nems, this is just me trying to set realistic expectations as again, Murphy.

Murphy never sleeps

 

[TexasTodd]

I've had several in the past, in several different tanks with SPS. Same as above, usually move a bit and settle in. These were all wild I believe.

This time around I got two rainbow rose from someone locally who had theirs split often. Well, I have never had one split with years of keeping them and this time around I have 5 starting with only 2 a few months ago. They're super healthy and haven't been shocked etc. I really wonder if some are more genetically prone to splitting. Now I am having a problem as they're popping up all over the place. I do love them though.

But, as above, they can move and they can kill other corals, so it's always a risk.

 

[LoneStarReef]

Thanks so much for all the great comments above. Hopefully we can keep Murphy away but you never know.....

Any types of anemones that are easier to keep than others? Also, how do you anchor one in the middle of the sand bed? I have an area right in the center of the tank that might be a perfect place for it.

 

[Zos4me]

I would put a small cluster of rocks there and see if he will attach and stay if not yank them