Carpet Anemone

[Dan1788]

I am thinking of getting a carpet nem
And was wondering what conditions is best for it to thrive in ie flow light parameters.
Is there a preferred Nitrate?

Thanks

 

[lapin]

If you value your fish dont get one. They need a good amount of flow and very strong light. They also like to move about until they find a home. Deep sandy bottom where it can put its foot under a rock is the usual spot.

 

[Roosterjack]

They also get very large.

 

[Rmckoy]

They will eat any sand dwelling fish or any fish that gets close !

they will travel until they find their perfect spot strong lights !

 

[Reef GE]

Mine travelled quite a bit (over the period of several days). Every morning I found him in a new corner of the tank, in the powerhead...almost, in every corner. If I would have had other coral in there, he would have destroyed them all for good.

Disclaimer: It was a QT and no sand for him to settle into, so maybe that explained his restlessness.

My Haddoni also ate (3) clowns - ocellaris and one tomato - before I knew what happened. He is good with my saddlebacks, but is in lockdown after eating those three fish. I think he looks amazing, but am so sad I can't keep him in my DT anymore. Too risky!

 

[OrionN]

I am thinking of getting a carpet nem
And was wondering what conditions is best for it to thrive in ie flow light parameters.
Is there a preferred Nitrate?

Thanks

What kind of carpets? Haddoni or Gigantea?

 

[Dan1788]

What kind of carpets? Haddoni or Gigantea?

I would love a gigantea but they are hard to come by in the UK.
Looking at what's been said I might just leave it.
I was thinking if setting up a small 10G in the future with just a Carpet and a pair of clowns.
How long do they live for?

 

[Taylor t]

Anemone can live a very long time, if not indefinitely. If I didn’t have gigantea, or couldn’t find any, I would look for H. Malu for a couple reasons. They stay in the sand, I haven’t seen any much bigger than 8-10”, and they aren’t super sticky like carpets. Most clowns typically will take them. They are more difficult to acclimate than BTA, but once acclimated, the ones I’ve had are pretty resilient. Once they find a spot, the ones I’ve had, never wandered. BTA like to take a walk when you least expect it. Malu can have some very attractive coloration too, with strong light. Carpets like food (fish), so if your tank is smaller, expect that fish might go missing. There’s a couple strains of purple Malu that to me are stunning in color. There’s some nice greens too.

IMO, Malu are under rated. Probably one of the best reef nems, but they need a DSB a few inches deep.

 

[Rmckoy]

Maxi mini are nice , colourful ,
I have 2 and they haven’t wondered in almost 5 years .
always on the same rock at the top

they are a little sticky , will take raw seafood but have never lost any fish to them

 

[F i s h y]

I keep mine in a 20... it fills most of it. They def travel. Nitrates less than 10. There is a damsel in with it. Still searching for a perfect pair of clowns. .. moved the clowns in the pic to a different system. I keep it under a single kessil A360WE. Feed it once a week. Its loving life. These are older pics. Its bigger now..

 

[Dan1788]

Anemone can live a very long time, if not indefinitely. If I didn’t have gigantea, or couldn’t find any, I would look for H. Malu for a couple reasons. They stay in the sand, I haven’t seen any much bigger than 8-10”, and they aren’t super sticky like carpets. Most clowns typically will take them. They are more difficult to acclimate than BTA, but once acclimated, the ones I’ve had are pretty resilient. Once they find a spot, the ones I’ve had, never wandered. BTA like to take a walk when you least expect it. Malu can have some very attractive coloration too, with strong light. Carpets like food (fish), so if your tank is smaller, expect that fish might go missing. There’s a couple strains of purple Malu that to me are stunning in color. There’s some nice greens too.

IMO, Malu are under rated. Probably one of the best reef nems, but they need a DSB a few inches deep.

I will have a look at these, thanks

 

[Dan1788]

I keep mine in a 20... it fills most of it. They def travel. Nitrates less than 10. There is a damsel in with it. Still searching for a perfect pair of clowns. .. moved the clowns in the pic to a different system. I keep it under a single kessil A360WE. Feed it once a week. Its loving life. These are older pics. Its bigger now..

Nice

 

[JumboShrimp]

They will eat your fish like expensive little treats, no joke!

 

[OrionN]

I would love a gigantea but they are hard to come by in the UK.
Looking at what's been said I might just leave it.
I was thinking if setting up a small 10G in the future with just a Carpet and a pair of clowns.
How long do they live for?

A agree with @Taylor t.
Anemone have the potential of living for ever, immortals. They will not died of old age in your care.
For a small tank, I would get a H. malu. They are very beautiful, and will easily host Percula, Ocellaris or Pink Skunk. They do need a fairly deep sand bed2-3+ inches.

 

[Reefbuds]

Super cool, but you have to commit to them. Strong light, good flow.. solid parameters. Your entire tank will revolve around them and keeping them happy, so prepare for that if you wish to keep them. You will have a carpet anemone tank w/ (insert here) as a side addition if you can fit it in. As long as your totally fine with that then go for it, but DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

 

[OrionN]

None of the host anemones will fit long term in a 10 gal tank. They will not like low light either.
if you want a small tank and low light then host anemone is not for you.