Anemones and Corals. All enemies, no exceptions?

SurfLife · Oct 26, 2018

I of course know anemones can injure and kill corals but is this the case every time?
Reason for asking. I have a few very large anemones that have been in the tank for a year or so. They have never caused any damage to anything but they never really got close enough to do so. I noticed today that one of them is making contact with a large open brain I have had a few years. The anemone is covering about 25% of the coral. I see zero evidence of injury and the brain seems fine. Usually the brain retracts at anything touching it.
Now, I did disturb the anemone enough to him off of the brain and would prefer to keep it that way but it got me wondering if there any corals out there that can resist the sting or are there breeds of anemones that can be less potent?
I do know anemones can kill brain corals, I have read that enough times to know but would like to hear thoughts from you guys.

davocean · Oct 26, 2018

Keep in mind there are many species of anemone and all are different, though many just clump all nems into the BTA category.

Each species will vary in level of sting, but usually all will sting and harm what they touch.

Some corals like xenia and gsp seem to tolerate stings, most others will lose to the nem.

Now, my experience, is just like when you handle a coral, and it slimes, it's detecting a change and possible threat.

It's possible IMO that your nems being together w/ corlas so long, they have detected each other, but have gently touched or met so to speak where possibly they are not having chemical warfare, this is my guess anyway, but keep an eye as it's possible you just have not seen results yet.

You should post some pics

mtraylor · Oct 26, 2018

I think you need to keep in mind that for instance if your is being stung by a bubble tip coral for example. It will take time to kill the other coral as the sting is not severe. If the anemone was say a ritteri then it would be allot worse. I would be mitigating the issue if I were you. Let us know how it goes.

John3 · Oct 26, 2018

My RBT moved and has been touching zoas, a Favia, and a Tracey. No issue at this point but I also dong trust this scenario.

John3 · Oct 26, 2018

maevepotter · Oct 26, 2018

I would like to hear more about this too. I had thought anemones and coral we're just fine in the tanks together because I've seen so many pictures that way. I just got a second BTA, 2 rock flowers, and I have a Maxi mini. Should they not be kept with my corals?

Coralreefer1 · Oct 26, 2018

Your best bet with keeping an anemone with corals would be with soft corals. Stonies, I’m afraid, would not have as high a success rate with making contact with the potent sting brought upon by a Sea Anemone. The thing with anemones is you CAN NOT place one in your tank and expect it to stay there. They will move around until they find a suitable location that satisfies their needs...ie. Water flow and lighting requirements.

PDR · Oct 26, 2018

So I'll throw in my 2 cents. Anemones definitely have the ability to move and sting other nems and coral. That being said, some definitely move more than others and some are more potent than others and some coral (specifically soft) can tolerate temporary contact much better than others.

IME RFA's are the least likely to move (after settled) and damage other coral. Mini maxis have the strongest sting out of the nems I have kept, but they tend to stay in place and since they don't have tentacles like BTA's they haven't been very destructive. Their sting does keep my GSP at bay but my purple gorgonian (don't remember the species) is in regular contact with them and doesn't seem to care. My BTA's have moved the most, but usually only move if I do something to upset them. I have had bta's move all over my tank and have never had them kill a coral that they did not plant next to for a long time.

theKoolAidMan · Oct 26, 2018

PDR said:
So I'll throw in my 2 cents. Anemones definitely have the ability to move and sting other nems and coral. That being said, some definitely move more than others and some are more potent than others and some coral (specifically soft) can tolerate temporary contact much better than others.

IME RFA's are the least likely to move (after settled) and damage other coral. Mini maxis have the strongest sting out of the nems I have kept, but they tend to stay in place and since they don't have tentacles like BTA's they haven't been very destructive. Their sting does keep my GSP at bay but my purple gorgonian (don't remember the species) is in regular contact with them and doesn't seem to care. My BTA's have moved the most, but usually only move if I do something to upset them. I have had bta's move all over my tank and have never had them kill a coral that they did not plant next to for a long time.

This is very good advice. My BTA has not moved more than an inch. I guess I was able to channel my inner nem in picking a spot. That being said I realize he could up and leave at any time. However, BTAs sting isn't hard harsh and other than maybe some SPS, as long as a notice that he's touching another coral within a couple days I'm pretty confident I could move the coral without losing it.

You can absolutely keep a nem with corals, you just have to be cognizant of the risks and prepared to accept them.

SurfLife · Oct 30, 2018

Thanks all. Yeah, I have kept these anemones and corals together for a while now with no problems. One anemone found a spot and has never moved. Two others have been from one side the other, front to back, up and down and never bothered any corals. They finally found spots they seemed happy with a few months ago. They are very large and when they finally open entirely they cover large areas. One has had his foot attached firmly in one spot but had eventually got close to my brain coral and it was 'kind of' touching it. It looked as if it was close, really close but not touching. The brain seemed undisturbed which was why I was asking the general question about species of anemones and corals getting along. I have already moved the brain, probably the easiest and tolerant of being relocated to a new spot where it looks happy. Although they may have been fine together, I was not taking the chance. I like my corals too much.
A lot of good information in the responses. Thanks.

themcnertney · Oct 30, 2018

Here is a fine example of how BTA can live with other coral...

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Reefpuck · Oct 30, 2018

Dan McNertney said:
Here is a fine example of how BTA can live with other coral...

And here's your winner!

That's really cool how they all blend in like that.

SurfLife · Oct 30, 2018

Dan McNertney said:
Here is a fine example of how BTA can live with other coral...

Being still fairly new to the hobby that is very interesting to see how they are all getting along. Beautiful example. Thanks for posting.

PDR · Oct 30, 2018

@TheHarold Do you still have that large BTA in your reefer? Did it cause you any major issues?

themcnertney · Oct 31, 2018

Lets be careful when we say that they all get along. Because they really don't. My tank has been running for a while now, but let me tell you that their most certainly is coral warfare happening. They may appear to all blend in, but I don't think they really all get along.