good or bad idea?- Anemone breeding tank

[Cassian]

Hello all! I wasn't quite sure where to post this, so im just going to put it here in the general stuff. I wanted to get some experienced reefer's opinions on an idea I had. I have a 180 gallon tank (with a 75-90 gal sump) and it grows anemones like crazy. I love anemones and got to thinking.... what if I used an old tank I have and plumb in a frag tank behind my 180 and start an anemone breeding tank? It would all be one big system, so the nems would have good stability and nutrients. But is there a very good market for nems? enough to justify starting a nem breeding tank? I mainly want to breed nems as a hobby because I enjoy them, but I realize I will need to sell them to prevent over crowding.

as for the anemones, im looking at transshipping a large assortment in to start my breeding stock. Is this a good idea to place 30-50 nems into a frag tank thats linked to my display? I just worry about nuking my display Is it safe to say I would observe a stressed nem before it could possibly die and release toxins?

Lastly, im thinking about transshipping the nems in hopes of finding a handful of gems. How feasible is it to find a unique nem from a box of assorted nems straight from the ocean? are nems like acros, where you can get wild ones and they color up different in aquariums?

I would appreciate anyone's input on this venture of mine! am I crazy? does it sound cool? etc

Thanks in advance!!

 

[MurphyJ]

What type of Nem are you planning to raise?

 

[Cassian]

What type of Nem are you planning to raise?

im looking to raise bubble tips mostly, maybe a few carpets

 

[MurphyJ]

OK, I have around 40 BTAs in my tank. They spawn once a year. I would suggest 70% female 30% male as not all BTAs spawn at the same time. I have had BTAs for many years (over 20) and I have never had a spawn produce. There are some good papers on larval settlement and growth. Data on food is a bit sparse. University of Hawaii did achieve a producing spawn a few years back so you might check their papers for food required. Good luck and I hope you are patient as setup, acclimation, and detailed monitoring of tank parameters, spawn events, etc. is required. Given the time and expense, I would research the market and decide what colors/lines you want for breeding.

 

[Robertellis30]

OK, I have around 40 BTAs in my tank. They spawn once a year. I would suggest 70% female 30% male as not all BTAs spawn at the same time. I have had BTAs for many years (over 20) and I have never had a spawn produce. There are some good papers on larval settlement and growth. Data on food is a bit sparse. University of Hawaii did achieve a producing spawn a few years back so you might check their papers for food required. Good luck and I hope you are patient as setup, acclimation, and detailed monitoring of tank parameters, spawn events, etc. is required. Given the time and expense, I would research the market and decide what colors/lines you want for breeding.

How can you tell the difference of the sex?

 

[MurphyJ]

When they spawn is the only way. Males tend to posture more than females. A few days before a spawn the males will start expanding and standing up. Males release sperm that looks like smoke. Females will puff up and then expel eggs. Some a few at a time and some just explode out in one burst.

After a spawn everyone in the tank gets a great meal and the skimmer goes crazy for awhile then back to normal like nothing happened. They spawn late In the day either right before or right after lights out so most people never see it.

 

[Cassian]

When they spawn is the only way. Males tend to posture more than females. A few days before a spawn the males will start expanding and standing up. Males release sperm that looks like smoke. Females will puff up and then expel eggs. Some a few at a time and some just explode out in one burst.

After a spawn everyone in the tank gets a great meal and the skimmer goes crazy for awhile then back to normal like nothing happened. They spawn late In the day either right before or right after lights out so most people never see it.

Thanks for the info! I have a rainbow BTA that has split 7 times. Do yours not reproduce that way?

 

[MurphyJ]

It takes a lot of energy and risk to split. Nems that split often are splitting due to tank conditions that are not good. It can be in response to temperature swings, high nutrients, excessive feeding, etc. A healthy Nem in a clean tank will normally split maybe once every 2 years. They would prefer to procreate sexually.

This year my Nems did not spawn (or I completely missed the show). My bad as I was focusing on family obligations and the SPS tank and let their nutrients climb too high. After the normal time for a spawn 3 of them split. I have one red BTA that keeps "thinking" about splitting.

 

[Cassian]

It takes a lot of energy and risk to split. Nems that split often are splitting due to tank conditions that are not good. It can be in response to temperature swings, high nutrients, excessive feeding, etc. A healthy Nem in a clean tank will normally split maybe once every 2 years. They would prefer to procreate sexually.

This year my Nems did not spawn (or I completely missed the show). My bad as I was focusing on family obligations and the SPS tank and let their nutrients climb too high. After the normal time for a spawn 3 of them split. I have one red BTA that keeps "thinking" about splitting.

thanks for that info! I do have Slightly high Nutrients right now