Thinking ahead

Duke4Life · Nov 13, 2015

My wife has wanted clowns in the DT and I've been reluctant. I've got a 20 gallon long I'm using for QT at the moment for my DT. The good thing is I have a 10 that can be setup for a QT. The 20 has been setup since late April with all parameters kept in check, water changes done, and the only medication used has been Prazipro.

Has hob filter, powerhead, heater, and a quad 36 in light due in. About 10 lbs of rock at the moment, no sand.

In no rush but what would I need to do to this setup to provide a good in environment for an anemone?

Dastins · Nov 13, 2015

Sounds pretty solid. I would think about throwing an inch or two of live sand so the anemone has some nutrients to live off of or you could just feed it regularly. If the only thing your going to keep in there are a pair of clowns the anemone isn't totally necessary at first. If your putting them in with more aggressive fish I'd say go anemone first but clowns are particular about which anemone they pair with. If you can find a good store they may make a deal if you buy the clowns and anemone together from the same tank, usually they are already paired and should transfer easily. Ryan at Blue Star has a nice pair next to the live rock but may be a little big for the ten gallon.

Duke4Life · Nov 13, 2015

Dastins said:
Sounds pretty solid. I would think about throwing an inch or two of live sand so the anemone has some nutrients to live off of or you could just feed it regularly. If the only thing your going to keep in there are a pair of clowns the anemone isn't totally necessary at first. If your putting them in with more aggressive fish I'd say go anemone first but clowns are particular about which anemone they pair with. If you can find a good store they may make a deal if you buy the clowns and anemone together from the same tank, usually they are already paired and should transfer easily. Ryan at Blue Star has a nice pair next to the live rock but may be a little big for the ten gallon.

The 20 is what I'll use. Those are in research mode since we have a swap next weekend here in town. They will be to themselves probably. Now 1 of the couple small wrasses for this has been thought about but didn't know if it's suitable or not.

Dastins · Nov 13, 2015

If it's a six line wrasse I wouldn't mix it with the clowns. Wrasses have been known to be aggressive against clown fish. I would def have the anemone paired with the clowns before adding the wrasse to give them a little hiding spot and a place to sleep.