Looking for Nems!

[Essert07]

Hello, All!

I'm on the hunt for an anemone! I have a 60g cube that I have been maturing and seeding and am ready to start the process of introducing my livestock! I have a few big plans for what will be housed in the tank but all my research and debate with reefing friends has pointed me towards the fact that nems like to move a bit before settling, and that they should be the first introduction in the stocking process.

BUT.

I can't find any! I'm in central Wisconsin and for the LIFE of me I can't seem to find where to buy a nem! Online stores are either out of stock or don't offer them and the fb marketplace listings I've responded to have been duds, with no responses. I'm not looking for an exceptionally large specimen, either, a 4" would be more than enough to house a pair of small clowns.

Does anyone know of websites or links that show a good inventory of anemones? It feels like I have been searching for weeks with no success. Which is ridiculous since I'm on the forum with a marine livestock marketplace lol

Thanks in advance!!

-Ted E.

 

[|Frank|]

Hey Ted,

eBay has some good looking nems rn. I found this too: https://www.reefs4less.com/product/bubble-anemone/.... , And saltwaterfish.com but their site is under maintenance rn. Hope this helps.

Also idk how old your tank is but I added a nem to early when I first started stocking and unfortunately it didn't make it. A lot of people on here say that most tanks need to be at least six months. Just giving ya my two cents, don't want to see you go through the heart ache of a sick/dying nem. Best of luck!

 

[Jekyl]

6 months maturity is minimum. A year is better. Once ready I would check the livestock forum on this website.

 

[Jekyl]

Also there's no guarantee your clowns will want anything to do with it. I have 3 nems and 2 clowns for about a year now and they want nothing to do with each other.

 

[|Frank|]

Also there's no guarantee your clowns will want anything to do with it. I have 3 nems and 2 clowns for about a year now and they want nothing to do with each other.

Yep my clowns host my Duncan.

 

[Essert07]

Hey Ted,

eBay has some good looking nems rn. I found this too: https://www.reefs4less.com/product/bubble-anemone/.... , And saltwaterfish.com but their site is under maintenance rn. Hope this helps.

Also idk how old your tank is but I added a nem to early when I first started stocking and unfortunately it didn't make it. A lot of people on here say that most tanks need to be at least six months. Just giving ya my two cents, don't want to see you go through the heart ache of a sick/dying nem. Best of luck!

This is exactly why I came to this forum! Thank you for the heads up!

So, a question in return, and something I've largely been trusting in without knowing how to test exactly, is that the tank I set up (now cleaned and completely re-scaped, new sand, etc) had been set up for three years with its previous owner, so would the rock (~15lbs) expedite the maturation process? I have had the tank in place and cycling since December 2020. Would you still advise caution? (other than always lol)

 

[shred5]

friends has pointed me towards the fact that nems like to move a bit before settling, and that they should be the first introduction in the stocking process.



-Ted E.

Actually it should be the opposite. Anemones are more sensitive and should be one of the later adds once the tank is settled especially if your new to the hobby.

I understand your reasoning for wanting to add first. Plus a anemone can stay for a long time then one day move anyway.

 

[Jekyl]

I would suggest using a local reefer to purchase from instead of online or a store. I checked Wisconsin on the selling forum here and there are a few people with them. Much better to buy from reefers. Better prices and health.

 

[|Frank|]

This is exactly why I came to this forum! Thank you for the heads up!

So, a question in return, and something I've largely been trusting in without knowing how to test exactly, is that the tank I set up (now cleaned and completely re-scaped, new sand, etc) had been set up for three years with its previous owner, so would the rock (~15lbs) expedite the maturation process? I have had the tank in place and cycling since December 2020. Would you still advise caution? (other than always lol)

Yea definitely!

Good question, I just moved my tank from a 20g to a 40g with new sand as well. I transferred my live rock but I made sure I did it immediately to prevent any die off. If you kept that rock submerged it would help a ton with the cycling process. But also I moved the water from my old tank to new and essentially its like a water change from what my lfs was telling me and I shouldn't have to worry about a big cycle. I have a RBTA and even with all that I'm still on edge sometimes with it lol. It was super unhappy when I did the transfer of everything for a couple days. Its gotten a lot better though. Its exciting to get things started but I'd still wait some time before adding the nem. I'd say throw a duncan in there, my clowns love that thing.