Rock Flower Anemone Question

Marco S · May 2, 2019

I realize that Anemone's need a mature tank that has been up and running for a while and I was not planning on getting one for a long time, (My tank has only been up for 5 weeks). I just finished my fish stock, (well except for a Green Mandarin I am waiting 6 months for) and I am starting to look at corals. I came across a few places selling Rock Flower Anemones and they look very colorful so I searched around a bit.

From what I have been able to find, they are extremely hardy Anemones and even recommended for beginners. They say the water conditions do not have to be perfect and they do not even require good lighting, (although I do have 4 AI Hydra 26 HD's). I could not find anywhere that they recommend amount of time before adding, but assume since they are beginner Anemones they can be added pretty quickly and do not require the year wait.

I have no problem waiting for a BTA, (and will get one or two eventually) but I just wanted to see if anyone here has any experience with Rock Flower Anemones and would recommend a period of time I should wait before safely adding one or two?

Thanks in advance!

geddavis · May 2, 2019

I added one to my tank early on and it is doing great. It is one of the hardiest corals (I know it’s not a coral) I have.

BestMomEver · May 2, 2019

They seem to be more forgiving than other anemones. I think the main thing is stability. New tanks are just settling in, so to speak, an often have weird swings in parameters. Let your tank sit for a while and start with some zoas or mushrooms. Then move on to rock flowers and such.

AcroNem · May 2, 2019

They're definitely more forgiving, as long as your system is stable they should do just fine. Most lighting is okay for them, and feeding them often keeps them happy.

AcroNem · May 2, 2019

They're definitely more forgiving, as long as your system is stable they should do just fine. Most lighting is okay for them, and feeding them often keeps them happy.

Sod Buster · May 2, 2019

They will move around and find a happy spot themselves. A good 3 month tank anniversary gift for yourself. I would also reccomend getting more than one. I have two of them and my rainbow specimen decides it likes the back of the tank, but still leaves a nice one to look at through the front glass. Ronreefman has a good rock flower thread on this site.

KorD · May 2, 2019

I agree with the above. They are super hardy critters and as long as they are fed you are good.
For the BTA.. do not add one before the 8th month of the tank. The tank could mini cycle and you could have problems..
Another hardy nem is a maxi mini. But depending on what all fish you have I would watch on getting one.