My Anemone split 5 times and need advice to control them

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tmynice

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Hello, I have a 300 gal reef tank. Running for about 1 year. One of my first additions was a very nice watermelon anemone. It is looking good, and thriving. Thriving alittle too much..... It has split 5 times, and is now is just too much. I want to remove 3-4 of them, but I can not reach their feet. They are attached deep and extend out. I would have to do major work to my reef scape to get to them. I have been using power heads to keep them in check, but they are still stinging some of my corals. Hoping some one has a good suggestion to get them to detach so I can take them to LFS. I would hate to have to get mid-evil with them, but can't lose expensive corals either. Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Orphek OR3 reef aquarium LED bar
Welcome to R2R!
To remove an anemone, you can try pointing a powerhead directly at them to annoy them enough to let go. I've also read of users taking bottles of frozen water and putting it next to them to get them to let go. Otherwise rock removal and breaking them off is a last resort.
Hope this helps :)
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#WelcometoR2R
 
Welcome to R2R. I had to tear down a tank to remove them but that was before I heard about this method. Haven't tried it but many swear by it.

Take a piece of PVC tube, large enough to go over the nem and extend up a foot +/-. The idea is the nem will climb up the tube to get to the light since it can't move anywhere else. Once it is in the tube, you can remove it. I ended up getting rid of the nems after I tore the tank apart but would have tried this first had I known.
 
dbl said:
Welcome to R2R. I had to tear down a tank to remove them but that was before I heard about this method. Haven't tried it but many swear by it.

Take a piece of PVC tube, large enough to go over the nem and extend up a foot +/-. The idea is the nem will climb up the tube to get to the light since it can't move anywhere else. Once it is in the tube, you can remove it. I ended up getting rid of the nems after I tore the tank apart but would have tried this first had I known.
Click to expand...

I have not heard of that method, but it makes good sense. I will try it, and post results.

Thank you!
 
Crabs Mcjones said:
Welcome to R2R!
To remove an anemone, you can try pointing a powerhead directly at them to annoy them enough to let go. I've also read of users taking bottles of frozen water and putting it next to them to get them to let go. Otherwise rock removal and breaking them off is a last resort.
Hope this helps :)
ezgif-2-803adbe54bba.gif
#WelcometoR2R
Click to expand...
Thanks Crabs, I have tried this alittle but more to just direct their tentacles. I will give them a good blast and see if it moves them.
 
Deltec
Welcome home, you will love it here!

Remove some and send them here! :)

I remove them with very small flathead screwdrivers typically used for repairing eyeglasses. I work very slowly in a shallow rubbmaid tub or Tupperware. I use it to slowly move a piece off the rock, then slowly work my way around the foot gently prying more and more in a line as far around as I can get. Once it’s half off, you can gently tug or move the anemone to where you can get the rest of the foot. I have had good luck with this.

The other methods either took longer than I was willing to wait or didn’t work for me (I guess maybe both haha).
 
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Great THING about these nems- they make you money. Keep a couple and sell the rest as they split. Easy $40-$50 each and you can use that money to buy other goodies for your tank !!!


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AS
Welcome to R2R

I generally place the rock BTA's are attached to over a bucket with some tank water. If needed you can use something to set the rock on (like 2 pieces of PVC, a couple of wooden sticks, etcetera) if too small to sit atop the bucket.

The BTA's will safely let go and slip into the water with no issues.
 
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I wish I had heard of these ideas before I tore into my tank a few weeks ago.... I got two out that were deep into the rockwork. It was a major PIA! I took the rock out and pried the little buggers off slowly without injuring them. They have since been sold and are thriving in new homes.

I used this disruption to redo some of the rock work....which I am now pretty happy with. Unfortunately.... I have one more nem I need to get out. I may try the tube and or the ice cube method. BTA's can be beautiful and they can cause a lot of havoc.

Good Luck..... and.... Welcome to R2R.
 
Nutramar Foods
dbl said:
Welcome to R2R. I had to tear down a tank to remove them but that was before I heard about this method. Haven't tried it but many swear by it.

Take a piece of PVC tube, large enough to go over the nem and extend up a foot +/-. The idea is the nem will climb up the tube to get to the light since it can't move anywhere else. Once it is in the tube, you can remove it. I ended up getting rid of the nems after I tore the tank apart but would have tried this first had I known.
Click to expand...

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Deltec
Welcome To R2R!
Help came your way in no time flat. Some genius ideas out there. Folk be like that here. Can't wait to hear what method was the most successful for you.
Share and like often!
 
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