Malu Anemone relatively reef safe?

Fisherman Joe · Jun 6, 2015

Hi all.

I have an established LPS/SPS tank with some Acropora, Torch coral, Duncan's, Gonoporia and a large clam.

I always wanted to get an Anemone for my clowns to host but what are the risks?

I knew they moved around but if it were to kill my Duncan's or my clan I would hate it. I don't want to risk it. That's why I ask what's the relative risk?

Your advice would be appreciated.

kchapmanjr · Jun 6, 2015

I have had one Heteractis malu, and that particular specimen did not move around all that much. It was a sand dweller, and once it found a spot to it's liking, it stayed put. However, they are very sensitive and unforgiving to changes in water chemistry - much more so than bubble tips or long tentacles in my opinion. My clowns (true percs) never hosted the malu, but when I added a LTA, they literally dove into it. All anemones have inherent risk involved, some more than others. I have heard that skunk clowns really like malus though.

WetWhistle · Jun 6, 2015

That is the Sebae anemone that I think clark's and Maroon clown like. But other might tank to it. What kind of clown did you want to keep?

Putting any anemone in a reef tank is risky. I myself have been screwed a few times by putting them in. They ended up letting go and stung/ killed a few corals as it floated around. Then promptly got sucked into a 802 power head and shredded up into my tank water.

But with that being said if they have a spot with proper flow and you feed them. You cut down on them wandering. I like to build a little Rock pile in the spot where I am going to put them. Nestled in the middle so the base is below the water flow. So it attaches quicker in my chosen spot.

I myself don't want them around sps in my tank but I know a few people that do.

Fisherman Joe · Jun 6, 2015

I have some tank raised clowns. They are in my avatar pic. Not sure what they are.

Would the anemone kill corals if it crawled all over them? But that being said will it divert from the sand etc?

Fisherman Joe · Jun 13, 2015

Thinking of getting one tomorrow. Any more advice from other folks?

Shahin Ruyani · Jun 15, 2015

I think, and I can be wrong, but I think bubble tips are the safest. They like to have their foot in a deep crevice. I have 2 and one of them comes in and out of the cave. It comes out at day, and goes back in the cave at night. Here it is with a maroon clown in the moon lights. I think most clowns like them and they don't need a lot of light so your sps's are probably safe. (Also Bright lights can bleach it so give it a spot to get away from the light.) I'm nursing one back to health after the leds's bleached it almost to death. Good luck! ~Shahin Ruyani

davocean · Jun 15, 2015

Malu are one of my favorite host nems for a mixed reef, they stay fairly small at about 8-10" normally, they are sand dwellars so they stay at bottom, less chance of rock wandering on your corals, and they come in pretty nice bright colors usually.
I usually advise people match a natural host nem and clown match as in the wild for best results/quickest hosting, but it's pretty common for most to accept a non natural host too.
My last picasso's dove right into a Malu.
BTAs are probably the riskiest, they wander, rock, glass, all over.

Shahin Ruyani · Jun 16, 2015

davocean said:
Malu are one of my favorite host nems for a mixed reef, they stay fairly small at about 8-10" normally, they are sand dwellars so they stay at bottom, less chance of rock wandering on your corals, and they come in pretty nice bright colors usually.
I usually advise people match a natural host nem and clown match as in the wild for best results/quickest hosting, but it's pretty common for most to accept a non natural host too.
My last picasso's dove right into a Malu.
BTAs are probably the riskiest, they wander, rock, glass, all over.

Yeah? I guess I got lucky with mine.

Fisherman Joe · Jun 26, 2015

Going to get this nem tomorrow, one last question, if it goes walkies in the sand, will it sting and kill a gonioporia or a clam?

There are the only corals in reach of the sand bed.

davocean · Jun 26, 2015

IME if a Malu moves it usually shifts slowly, plenty of time to move things if needed.
Yes, all anemones can and will sting any corals they touch, and pretty much always win.