Can anemone coexist with coral.

wallyg · Dec 21, 2019

My wife fell in love with a small anemone at the lfs. It has a bright green mouth and purple tentacles about an inch across. It's said it would be fine with our corals but I know there in business to sell stuff. It was only $5 so no big loss if it is going to kill my corals. It settled close to a small leather coral we have.

ca1ore · Dec 21, 2019

Depends on exactly which anemone. Most are just fine, though the larger species can create havoc as they grow. At $5 it’s probably either a BTA or rock flower. Either are fine.

wallyg · Dec 21, 2019

Thanks the lfs called it a rock anemone.

flsalty · Dec 21, 2019

wallyg said:
Thanks the lfs called it a rock anemone.

Those are very reef safe compared to other anemones. Great price on that! Where do I need to move to get prices like that? lol

wallyg · Dec 21, 2019

Robs Aquatics Tinley park il. Just south of chicago.

OrionN · Dec 22, 2019

Can you post a picture?

hyprc · Dec 22, 2019

Rock Flowers are about the least risky nem you can add to a reef. Bubble tips are fine until they touch or detach/move around, then they're going to nuke anything they happen to touch (same goes with getting sucked into a powerhead, you just released a cluster bomb). Carpets will eat your fish. Like every fish, except your clowns of course.

flsalty · Dec 22, 2019

OrionN said:
Can you post a picture?

LOL...good point. Can't always trust what a LFS tells you and here I am assuming they were correct

wallyg · Dec 22, 2019

OrionN said:
Can you post a picture?

Will try to get one tomorrow.

Uncle99 · Dec 23, 2019

I have 6 RF in this tank, 2 of which hang out on 2 Crocea Clams.
1 just walked over a sunny-d zoa which no harm.
Once settled, they don’t move much (unless you change flow).
$5? I would be suspect. Things that are real cheap,usually there’s a reason.

wallyg · Dec 30, 2019

Here is a picture of the anemone. Sorry for the delay.

OrionN · Dec 30, 2019

That is a Borneman anemone it have a very strong sting and grown and divide slowly. It will sting a lot of your coral it it touch the coral. I consider it a slow growing pest. You need to keep it control or else it will take over your tank.
The way this anemone divide is interesting. It pinched the column the base grow a new crown and the top float off and settle to form another anemone.
Very hardy. I injected it full of Kalk paste and it just laugh at me. Does not affect it.

shred5 · Dec 30, 2019

OrionN said:
That is a Borneman anemone it have a very strong sting and grown and divide slowly. It will sting a lot of your coral it it touch the coral. I consider it a slow growing pest. You need to keep it control or else it will take over your tank.
The way this anemone divide is interesting. It pinched the column the base grow a new crown and the top float off and settle to form another anemone.
Very hardy. I injected it full of Kalk paste and it just laugh at me. Does not affect it.

Yea that is what it is for sure.
Never kept one myself and didn't know they were that aggressive.

Saltsince89 · Dec 30, 2019

wallyg said:
My wife fell in love with a small anemone at the lfs. It has a bright green mouth and purple tentacles about an inch across. It's said it would be fine with our corals but I know there in business to sell stuff. It was only $5 so no big loss if it is going to kill my corals. It settled close to a small leather coral we have.