Target feeding a nem

[KorD]

What is truly the main idea behind this? I have heard of people doing so, and others saying they never feed them? I know feeding them will cause them to grow faster, but does it cause them to have less of a sting since they are not really hunting for themselves? If the sting is less, will it be more hostile for a clownfish?

They technically are getting fed from the little critters that live inside of them, so they truly do not need to be target fed.
I have had a nem now over a year, and stopped feeding it over 7 months ago. It is looking better then ever since I stopped feeding it.
I do not mean to cause a fight.... just been thinking of this for a while as I read through the pages here.

 

[adamfrer12]

Following along.

 

[trio91]

personally i do not target feed my nems as my clowns do that for me....once i drop some brine or mysis in there....the clowns haul a piece or 2 to the nem(s).

for me its the opposite....my guys look better and the BTA "bubbles" more when fed.....my carpet nem has grown substantially since being fed regularly

 

[Akida17th]

I feed all my anemones and wouldn't think twice. I find that they tend to color up better when feeding certain food such as fresh salmon, however it's high in amino acids so I only feed that once a month now. When I target feed my tank I'll squirt some on my nems. I overfeed but all my anemones are happy as can be. Make sure when you do feed to only feed a small to medium amount. Try not to overfeed them as it can cause issues sometimes.

 

[bairdimusprime]

i used to target feed, then i saw my clowns feeding them first at feed time.
so no need to target feed for me

 

[KorD]

My clownfish leaves the nem alone, and will not take it food... Granted the nem is bubbly and happy as can be without being target fed.
It is interesting to see what others think on this subject.

 

[Tony Spencer]

I feed mine small amounts of Mysis once or twice a week. They've been doing awesome.

 

[mochaclownlover]

+1 for feeding

 

[bairdimusprime]

Mine feed them for me

 

[joshkirkland83]

 

[20LogR]

My clowns are pigs and would never share with any of the nems. Personally when I feed the tank I turn the powerheads down and just put the food in over the top of the nems. What the fish don't eat as the food falls, the nems will. It's not a lot at any given time. I've never been a fan of the larger feedings like silversides.

 

[KorD]

And while in the ocean, how often do they really catch something and eat it?? maybe about 10 times a year or so???

 

[joshkirkland83]

And while in the ocean, how often do they really catch something and eat it?? maybe about 10 times a year or so???

I cant answer that ive never done a study on how often they eat. I know they are a living animal and have tentacles and a mouth for a reason. If it did eat 10 times a year, thats almost once a month. A lot more than you are feeding yours. JS.

 

[surfnsalt]

Been feeding my less and less over the years. I'm down to once a month sometimes longer.

 

[ngvu1]

I do not feed my nem much if not at all. it gets some mysis once in a while but most of the time Light is all I feed it. I cannot afford to have this guy running around in my tank. Mine has not split over 3 years. It does not leave the rock it is in either!

 

[Salty1962]

Mine bubbles up more when I feed. No need to stretch out as far for light because it's energy is coming from feeding. I use Coral Frenzy Reef Pellet 1mm and mysis. No Silversides. JME