Largest Anemone In Captivity?

E.intheC · Sep 1, 2012

What's the largest anemone you've seen in captivity? I have seen RBTAs that were at least 15 inches in diameter and taller than that.

There's also a huge (100s of gallons) anemone/clown tank at the Long Island Aquarium. It was literally full of anemones. Wall to wall. I haven't been there in a few years though and don't remember individual sizes or species. I'm almost positive they were BTAs but couldn't say for sure.

GratefulReef · Sep 1, 2012

my buddy had a green carpet hosted by a huge maroon clown the clown was like 5 inches and the carpet was bigger than a dinner plate

Reef Breeders · Sep 1, 2012

I had a 15" carpet nem, not the biggest, but it swallowed a lot of fish, LOL

E.intheC · Sep 1, 2012

Gratefulreef, That's awesome. The carpet I just bought is almost that size now. Hopefully it will keep on growing.

I see youre from Syracuse... I went to LeMoyne College. Had a great time. Even met my wife there! (aww LOL)

E.intheC · Sep 1, 2012

anemonekeeper said:
I had a 15" carpet nem, not the biggest, but it swallowed a lot of fish, LOL

My old green carpet ate my cleaner shrimp, a purple fire fish, and a chromis or two.

Poseidon · Sep 1, 2012

I saw an Anemone at the Trop (new sponsor here) that was AT LEAST 5 FEET in Diameter, I bet Dick or Ray can chime in on the details.

GratefulReef · Sep 1, 2012

nice im going to OCC im from upstate rome originally. a 5ft anemone is HUGE it could eat me

E.intheC · Sep 1, 2012

Poseidon said:
I saw an Anemone at the Trop (new sponsor here) that was AT LEAST 5 FEET in Diameter, I bet Dick or Ray can chime in on the details.

If that's still around it'd be worth the trip there, (plus I could catch a Notre Dame game on the way back)

GratefulReef said:
nice im going to OCC im from upstate rome originally. a 5ft anemone is HUGE it could eat me

Very nice. Small world.

Bongo Shrimp · Sep 1, 2012

Poseidon said:
I saw an Anemone at the Trop (new sponsor here) that was AT LEAST 5 FEET in Diameter, I bet Dick or Ray can chime in on the details.

I was gonna mention that one! It was so huge when I first saw it I didn't realize it was an anemone.

SPSjunky · Sep 1, 2012

my buddy has a rbta that take up 1/2 of a standard 180.I havent seen his reef in person in about 2 years but im pretty sure he still has it

E.intheC · Sep 1, 2012

SPSjunky said:
my buddy has a rbta that take up 1/2 of a standard 180.I havent seen his reef in person in about 2 years but im pretty sure he still has it

A single RBTA or a colony? Either way that's pretty cool.

kmaintl · Sep 1, 2012

I would love to see some photos of any large nems and state how big.

Reef Breeders · Sep 1, 2012

E.intheC said:
My old green carpet ate my cleaner shrimp, a purple fire fish, and a chromis or two.

I wish mine ate that, 2 mandarins, a foxface rabbitfish, a purple tang, and a few more "dissapperances" i forgot about

Dick Perrin · Sep 2, 2012

Poseidon said:
I saw an Anemone at the Trop (new sponsor here) that was AT LEAST 5 FEET in Diameter, I bet Dick or Ray can chime in on the details.

I fondly remember that beauty! I was on a consult for Segrest Farms to Fiji, went out with the divers and saw this giant yellow carpet, with a pair of blue stripe clowns hosting and got the divers to collect it for me with the clowns and other occupants and had it shipped to trop. It was there for a long time until someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse and it left. It was closer to 4 feet, but the biggest I ever saw. Thanks for bringing back that memory. Dick

E.intheC · Sep 2, 2012

Dick Perrin said:
I fondly remember that beauty! I was on a consult for Segrest Farms to Fiji, went out with the divers and saw this giant yellow carpet, with a pair of blue stripe clowns hosting and got the divers to collect it for me with the clowns and other occupants and had it shipped to trop. It was there for a long time until someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse and it left. It was closer to 4 feet, but the biggest I ever saw. Thanks for bringing back that memory. Dick

Wow. I bet that was quite an ordeal getting it shipped back to the states!

lawnman · Sep 2, 2012

Biggest one I have ever seen is a green carpet anemone about 2x2 at premium aquatics. It is in one of there live rock pools.

Dick Perrin · Sep 2, 2012

E.intheC said:
Wow. I bet that was quite an ordeal getting it shipped back to the states!

Segrest was bringing in a lot of product and had good shipping rates, and I convinced them to pop for the shipping cost as part of my consulting fee. Their problem there was their SPS corals were dying shortly after arriving in Florida. Their mistake was mixing their softies with their stonies while on the collecting boat and the stress hormones given off by the soft coral was fatally affecting the SPS. I was there for 20 days, trip of a lifetime!!! Hung out with the king. Really!!

E.intheC · Sep 2, 2012

anemonekeeper said:
I wish mine ate that, 2 mandarins, a foxface rabbitfish, a purple tang, and a few more "dissapperances" i forgot about

Thats too bad man.

. I don't like losing fish, especially healthy ones. The good thing about this new tank is that the clowns are the only residents at the moment, and the only other fish I'd want to add either wont fit or aren't reef safe. I may add some chromis or cardinals in the future but that's really it.

Dick Perrin said:
Segrest was bringing in a lot of product and had good shipping rates, and I convinced them to pop for the shipping cost as part of my consulting fee. Their problem there was their SPS corals were dying shortly after arriving in Florida. Their mistake was mixing their softies with their stonies while on the collecting boat and the stress hormones given off by the soft coral was fatally affecting the SPS. I was there for 20 days, trip of a lifetime!!! Hung out with the king. Really!!

That's amazing. I'm sure they were very grateful to have you. I have to say I'm pretty jealous :smile: