To carpet or not to carpet

[Callahan88]

I want everyone’s honest opinion on carpets, I absolutely love them and want one but I’ve Hurd so many horrific stories about them being fish eaters. So please share stories good or bad

 

[schprock]

 

[Genomecop]

I've always wanted one but they do get huge don't they?

 

[Callahan88]

I've always wanted one but they do get huge don't they?

Ya they get big

 

[Neo Jeo]

I want a blue one! Just dont eat my fish please.

 

[dbraun15]

S.Haddoni are the easiest to source(easiest to find a healthy one) and the most likely to snare a few fish. I have a S. Haddoni and S. Gigantea and they are my favorite inhabitants, even though the S. Haddoni has eaten hundreds of $ of fish. Good luck!

 

[Callahan88]

S.Haddoni are the easiest to source(easiest to find a healthy one) and the most likely to snare a few fish. I have a S. Haddoni and S. Gigantea and they are my favorite inhabitants, even though the S. Haddoni has eaten hundreds of $ of fish. Good luck!

See that’s what I’m afraid of! I know my niger us so curious about everything that goes in my tank, I know he would go head first into it

 

[NY_Caveman]

@OrionN, @Amoo, your experiences?

 

[Sunny Goold]

See that’s what I’m afraid of! I know my niger us so curious about everything that goes in my tank, I know he would go head first into it

So the Gigantea is less risky? Doesn't Meelevs reef have one and also here I am off and on with getting an anenome. Don't want the hassle of a BTA that moves around. I would rather a few big pieces than hundreds of animals crammed into my tank.
Also here is a place in EU that sells blue ones (and other colors - I like the purple) - I would just be worried if they are naturally that color https://www.aquariaveldhuis.nl/nl/l...tml?manufacturer=2618&product_list_order=name

 

[coral49]

S. Haddoni is one of my favorite creatures in my tank, I had 3 in a 300 gallon for over 6 years and has never eaten a fish. Although I do not have any blennies or fish that are sand dwellers nor hawks. I do have a golden eel that lives right next to a very large one for 1+ years. Never an issue. Tank is full of angels and tangs and clowns and a couple wrasses. I do loose some CUC, I think from carpet.. there are shells all around them all the time. They do get big, but not too fast if you do not feed. Amazing to watch with clown.

Fish will stay away, i think issues occur when a fish is startled and panics into one. Carpets are not forgiving for eating everything, It will only take one mistake and they will be dinner.

Also be very careful not to touch with hands, they are very very sticky

 

[OrionN]

I have lots of carpets, both Haddoni and Gigantea.
I lost several fish to my carpets.
The times that the fish are most vulnerable are:
Spooked due to you are doing something to the tank
Newly added fish, chased by other fish
Certain type of fish, mandarin (1/2) and Orchid dottyback (lost 3/3) for me. I think I will need to add Potter Leopard Wrasse (lost 2/3)

You need to have a reasonably large tank so that the fish can easy avoid the anemone. Don't have anemone tentacles against the glass. This is essentially a trap for fish. The glass keep them from been able to avoid the anemone.

Don't put any fish that you absolutely cannot loose in a Carpet tank.

Magnifica is a much safer anemone for fish. I have never loose a fish to my Magnifica.

Blue Carpet anybody?

 

[Sunny Goold]

So the Gigantea is less risky? Doesn't Meelevs reef have one and also here I am off and on with getting an anenome. Don't want the hassle of a BTA that moves around. I would rather a few big pieces than hundreds of animals crammed into my tank.
Also here is a place in EU that sells blue ones (and other colors - I like the purple) - I would just be worried if they are naturally that color https://www.aquariaveldhuis.nl/nl/l...tml?manufacturer=2618&product_list_order=name

I was wrong - Melev has a Sebae - that's another option - not so dangerous - sits on the bottom and they rarely move according to some. That may be a suitable compromise
This Aussie also has a Blue Carpet - amazing. And he has quite a few fish including a Goby (Valencie_?). Maybe it is just a matter of having a big enough tank. There's a good article on them on WetWebMedia too

 

[Callahan88]

Thank you everyone for sharing all the info. I’m still on the fence though, I have a 150 gallon but all of my fish are always using every corner of the tank

 

[OrionN]

They won’t use the corner where the Carpet is at. Really Magnifica is the way to go. Easy to keep from moving. Beautiful, natural host to a numbers of clowns including Ocellaris and Percula.
Not easy to keep but a well run reef tank should be fine for one.

 

[Christopher Davis]

I have lots of carpets, both Haddoni and Gigantea.
I lost several fish to my carpets.
The times that the fish are most vulnerable are:
Spooked due to you are doing something to the tank
Newly added fish, chased by other fish
Certain type of fish, mandarin (1/2) and Orchid dottyback (lost 3/3) for me. I think I will need to add Potter Leopard Wrasse (lost 2/3)

You need to have a reasonably large tank so that the fish can easy avoid the anemone. Don't have anemone tentacles against the glass. This is essentially a trap for fish. The glass keep them from been able to avoid the anemone.

Don't put any fish that you absolutely cannot loose in a Carpet tank.

Magnifica is a much safer anemone for fish. I have never loose a fish to my Magnifica.

Blue Carpet anybody?

Yes to blue carpet that thing is UGE

 

[sikorskys]

That's a great video, so inspirational!

 

[terri_ann]

Have you ever considered the Mini-Maxi Carpet Anemones? They come in beautiful colors and in captivity, they will usually grow to 6-8"? I have a bunch!! They can eat fish but not like the haddoni's, gigs, etc!

 

[bubbaque]

Do you think it helps to start with an anemone of a smaller size so fish can get use to it and avoid it easier?

 

[Callahan88]

Have you ever considered the Mini-Maxi Carpet Anemones? They come in beautiful colors and in captivity, they will usually grow to 6-8"? I have a bunch!! They can eat fish but not like the haddoni's, gigs, etc!

Funny you say that I actually do have a mini max and love it, will actually be going back to my LFS and getting another one. But there is just something about a beautiful blue or pink carpet

 

[Purpletang92]

Lost 3 fish to this guy, copper band, hippo tang and fire fish. I’ve noticed once you get a fish like a clown to host , the clowns usually chase any fish that gets too close away, both my clowns host this carpet along with my anemone crab. Haven’t lost a fish since mostly because my clowns won’t let anyone near it.