Keeping Rock Nems - What do I need to know?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Well, I'm thinking I'd like to add some rock nems to my reef. I've never kept them before, but lately I've been drooling over some of the ones from @ReefersDirect. Check these out!

So, what do I need to know? I've never kept rock nems before. I'm hoping they'll spawn and I'll get babies.

 

[bios]

3D pic is wonderfull..
Very similar to lps

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I would like to some some good info in this thread as well! Maybe @Clayalaleona has some tips?

 

[Joel B in FL]

I have bought a few from reefers direct myself. So far I have to say they are easy to keep. I have had mine for a few months now with no problems. I don't target feed them or anything. A couple like to hide under an overhang in low light while others like to be on the side of a rock where they get moderate light.

Oh I also have to say the guys at reefers direct are awesome to work with. If you live close enough to drive over I would recommend it. They really do take care of their customers.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Ive ALWAYS likes them. I have soo many lil fish Ive been too scared.
@ahiggins seems to be Popin' the babies lately.

 

[acer]

Yes- they are cool looking and IMO a great addition to my reef. I placed mine in/on a small rock sitting in the sand bed = medium light ( 21 inches deep under a Gen 3 XR30 ) with low to med flow. I feed 2-3 times per week - mysis. It has kept its color ( not as neat as your pics) and grown ( doubled) since purchase about 6 months ago.

 

[eleet]

I love mine so much. Easy keepers, I target feed krill or mysis every week. I have 9 adults now. I get babies 2x a year. They really don't move, I haven't lost a fish to them ever, or shrimp or crabs either. They do not split.

 

[Darth George]

They tend to stay put. Some like the sand, others the rock. I kill all flow for 20 minutes and hold them in place for a few seconds. Then feed macrovore the first night so they know they're in a good spot! Here's my latest!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I haven't lost a fish to them ever,

my Ruby is 1 cm. Im till gonna be a sissy.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

They tend to stay put. Some like the sand, others the rock. I kill all flow for 20 minutes and hold them in place for a few seconds. Then feed macrovore the first night so they know they're in a good spot! Here's my latest!

id ditch the ruby for that

 

[eleet]

Here are some of mine

 

[DLHDesign]

I've got two in my tank. They both stayed put where I placed them - one on a lone rock (med flow, low light) and the other on the side of a larger structure (low flow, low light). Growing well - started at ~1.5" and are now about 5" in 200+ days. I don't target feed, but they manage to snag stuff when I broadcast feed the tank (I keep my return pump on so the food moves about). The two I've got have done well whereas the half-dozen BTA's I've added have all died (boo), so I'd say that based on my anecdotal experience, rock nems are easier than BTA's.
My nems have lost some of their brilliant colors, but so has pretty much everything in my tank - and them less than most. Still working on the lighting issues, obviously. But they've thrived despite that.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

They tend to stay put. Some like the sand, others the rock. I kill all flow for 20 minutes and hold them in place for a few seconds. Then feed macrovore the first night so they know they're in a good spot! Here's my latest!

Here are some of mine

Awesome!

Do they tend to hold color pretty well? Any tips on making sure they stay colored up?

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I've got two in my tank. They both stayed put where I placed them - one on a lone rock (med flow, low light) and the other on the side of a larger structure (low flow, low light). Growing well - started at ~1.5" and are now about 5" in 200+ days. I don't target feed, but they manage to snag stuff when I broadcast feed the tank (I keep my return pump on so the food moves about). The two I've got have done well whereas the half-dozen BTA's I've added have all died (boo), so I'd say that based on my anecdotal experience, rock nems are easier than BTA's.
My nems have lost some of their brilliant colors, but so has pretty much everything in my tank - and them less than most. Still working on the lighting issues, obviously. But they've thrived despite that.

So possibly losing color is an issue. I wonder what contributes to that.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Don't let their initial staying put lull you into a false comfort... they can move like other anemones at their own accord

 

[saltyhog]

I just took a small rock and put in my social acclimation box and placed the nemes on it. In a few minutes they were firmly attached. One moved 1/2" recently when I moved my tank and some sand got piled up in front of it. Otherwise they've never moved(for the 1 year I've had them). Great feeding response makes them fun to feed. I don't have tiny fish but I don't think they're "sticky" enough to be any threat to a healthy fish. Mine are just as colorful as they were when I got them

 

[DLHDesign]

So possibly losing color is an issue. I wonder what contributes to that.

They are a symbiotic creature that host zooxanthellae - very similar to most other coral types we deal with in our tanks. So whatever applies to other corals (light, flow, temp, chemical stability and balance, etc.) applies to them as well, to some degree or another.

 

[eleet]

The colors on mine have never changed, and the oldest is about 3 years old. I have had a couple move, but never detach and float around.

 

[DLHDesign]

(Correction - my largest is closer to 3" than 5"... I wish, I guess. Still; growing.)

Only caution I've seen is to remove any nems before treating for flatworms in the tank, as their "death toxin" can be harmful/fatal to nems.

 

[DracoKat]

my one rock nem likes to play Merry Go Round on the rock it's at. It continuously circles in, but doesn't go anywhere else, lol