New anemone and clown fish

[brad shawn]

So I’m starting to pick up stock for my newly set up Red Sea reefer 250. I was at the LFS and picked up a beautiful true percula Solomon Islands and a rose bubble tip anenome. Clownfish is in QT and the anemone is in the frag tank. First question is in regards to the BTA and how big they can potentially grow and at what rate generally speaking ? I’d hate to lose real estate with a 12x12 anemone. And second regarding the clown fish if i should go for a pair or keep this one single? Will they tend to be more aggressive in pairs? I’m accustomed to freshwater fish paring up and becoming terrors just curious if it’s the same behavior with percula clown fish. Thank you guys!

 

[brad shawn]

Any suggestions?

 

[Jon Fishman]

Here is mine (one front, one back of rock). Started as one....... You can easily 12x12 area with them. They can grow this size in 4-5 months

 

[brad shawn]

Here is mine (one front, one back of rock). Started as one....... You can easily 12x12 area with them. They can grow this size in 4-5 months

Thanks for the heads up. They are beautiful though.... how difficult in your opinion would it be to remove one of those guys from the rock work ?

 

[lapin]

Once in and attached sometimes pointing a power head at it will cause it to move, That is the time to remove it without injuring its foot.
Most bubble tips they have a wandering eye. They can move around your tank and can end up where you dont want them.
Some tanks get over run with them and people end up selling them on forums.

 

[brad shawn]

Once in and attached sometimes pointing a power head at it will cause it to move, That is the time to remove it without injuring its foot.
Most bubble tips they have a wandering eye. They can move around your tank and can end up where you dont want them.
Some tanks get over run with them and people end up selling them on forums.

Good to know thanks. If I had a bigger tank I wouldn’t mind lol. Just like to plan ahead

 

[Mical]

I would add a pair of clowns to avoid the potential of a battle later. You mentioned it's a fairly new tank, based on that (& I'm not aware of your previous experience) Nems usually do better in a mature tank (6 mos +) The first couple of months of a new tank parameters tend to fluctuate and nems don't deal well with params that fluctuate. They'll be the first to tell you.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Thanks for the heads up. They are beautiful though.... how difficult in your opinion would it be to remove one of those guys from the rock work ?

depends where they are. their feet are in “holes”. tried for an entire weekend once and gave up

 

[brad shawn]

I would add a pair of clowns to avoid the potential of a battle later. You mentioned it's a fairly new tank, based on that (& I'm not aware of your previous experience) Nems usually do better in a mature tank (6 mos +) The first couple of months of a new tank parameters tend to fluctuate and nems don't deal well with params that fluctuate. They'll be the first to tell you.

Thank you. The nem is currently in a frag tank that I had set up around 6 months ago. He’s gonna stay in there for a while for me to observe and settle to my water and all that Jazz. Eventually he’ll make it into the display tank. You don’t think there will be aggression issues in a 3 foot tank with a pair of clowns? Eventually have a goby or two a blenny a wrasse and possibly something else. Looking for a peaceful as possible reef

 

[brad shawn]

depends where they are. their feet are in “holes”. tried for an entire weekend once and gave up

That would make sense.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

I agree they can grow very fast. I added one about 5" and it quickly split into two, both about the same size of the first if not bigger

I've already had to move a couple corals that were near by. There foot is rooted deeply down in a cave

 

[Mical]

Thank you. The nem is currently in a frag tank that I had set up around 6 months ago. He’s gonna stay in there for a while for me to observe and settle to my water and all that Jazz. Eventually he’ll make it into the display tank. You don’t think there will be aggression issues in a 3 foot tank with a pair of clowns? Eventually have a goby or two a blenny a wrasse and possibly something else. Looking for a peaceful as possible reef

My nems were in a 30gal tank for 2 years (they were 10 years old when given to me) and they did well. With 2 maroon clowns also 10 years old. Nems once established are pretty resilient to any changes. Since then they've been moved 3 times and are happily in a 120gal tank - all 7 of them and the 2 original clowns.

 

[brad shawn]

So the consensus is they can grow fast and large. Anybody regret adding one to their tank? Maybe wishing they went with a species that doesn’t grow as large or as rapidly. Don’t get me wrong they are beautiful I have one now in the frag tank it’s only an inch in diameter. just looking to avoid issues with a stuck nem tanking up half my tank, as this was somewhat of a impulse buy. The lfs had some in his display with his clowns and they were beautiful and the fish looked so happy. Knew I wanted a nem at some point so now here I am. Not regretting it if anything I’ll grow him up and get some store credit. Are there any other species you would recommend that would host a clownfish?

 

[Mical]

Nems are the centerpiece of my 120g. Nems add a third dimension to a reef tank. You can have fish and corals but add a nem - it's a whole new ball game. No regrets at all.

 

[brad shawn]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I killed my rbta I moved it out of the corner under a little more light and came detached during the night and somebody picked him apart unfortunately so in back on the market for a nem any suggestions for a nem that will host percula pair maybe a smaller species?