To nem, or not to nem..

[ArchXIII]

So, like quite a lot of people, the first thing that got me interested in saltwater tanks was when I was in a petco and saw clownfish and anemones, so when I first started, that was what I wanted..

At this point, I think I'm becoming decent enough that I might be able to pull off a bta. I'm beginning to see good growth, good consistent polyp extension on my corals, I feel like I have my husbandry down, etc. Do being at this point, I'm seriously considering picking one up. However, I've heard and read they can quickly grow throughout a tank, which is not something I quite want, as I love my coral, and am wanting even more diversity than I have now, plus.. My tank is only a jbj 45.

Tank is what I'd say is understocked on coral, as my weekly water change still takes care of my parameters, but I still have things on standby for when I have to start dosing. Tank is 10ish months old, kind of. I say kind of, because I swapped from my 36 Bow front to this tank not long ago, transferring over my rock, adding new rock, and changing the sand.

If I'm concerned about a bta overtaking my tank should I just say screw it? I could do flower nems, but I like the idea of my clowns possibly hosting it, which is 75% of the reason I want one.

 

[Saltyreef]

Sounds like youre at the right age to add them esp. If you transfered from another established tank.

 

[Frozen Tundra Reef Dreams]

nems can be a pain. they move. andyour clown may never choose to host with it.

long story short, i have 2 nems. took 2 months for my clowns to discover them. now they are inseparable and nem hasnt moved since. its beautiful. some dont get huge or turn into super long tentacle

 

[ArchXIII]

Sounds like youre at the right age to add them esp. If you transfered from another established tank.

The transfer only took place roughly two weeks ago.

 

[ArchXIII]

nems can be a pain. they move. andyour clown may never choose to host with it.

long story short, i have 2 nems. took 2 months for my clowns to discover them. now they are inseparable and nem hasnt moved since. its beautiful. some dont get huge or turn into super long tentacle

Is it kind of luck if the bta I would get, gets big or not? Or is there something specific I should look for when picking one out?

 

[Shufflepig]

A year ago I added 2 Rbtas. There are now 14 in the tank and I’ve given 5 or 6 away. Every morning I worry where an anemone may have moved to and started stinging corals. My 2 clowns totally ignore them. They are beautiful animals but I kinda wish I never added them. Some are easy to remove but many of them plant their foot deep in the rocks and are impossible to remove. Just a warning if you like your corals.

 

[Hincapiej4]

I've managed to keep all 8 of mine on the same rock by basically creating a pedestal up into the light and away from coral.

If they happen to move, i get enough time to watch them. They usually join the rest though, so haven't had any issues.

If you'd like, i can make a short video to show you what I did to keep them in place. I'll also say, they don't have direct flow onto them. There is a reef wave 45 that circulates flow just above them and they can get their tentacles into the flow if they wish.

 

[Jekyl]

I've had nems and clowns for over a year. My clowns take turns hosting a powerhead and my HoB filter when it's available.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Maybe more importantly, determine what kind of clownfish you have/are getting. Then research what type of anemone they prefer to host with in the wild and get that kind. (or vise versa) Better chance of getting the look you're after.

 

[Sdot]

Is it kind of luck if the bta I would get, gets big or not? Or is there something specific I should look for when picking one out?

I think what many are missing when getting an anemone to host clowns are:

1. Are you matching the clownfish with its natural host? (Its much easier to get a anemone to host a clown that is a natural symbiont) Not impossible but i see many choosing Ocellaris with bubbletips.... not a natural host so its really the luck of the draw

2. Do your clownfish know what a sea anemone is? (I have two pairs of clownfish...A mated pair of skunk clowns with a colorado BTA, not the natural host but they where kept in tanks with BTA's when i purchased them, so no issues and they are familiar with it.

On the flip side my Ocellaris pair are hosted by a Mag Anemone (Natural Host), and the interaction is very different. One they never venture very far from it at all, and they literally appear to enjoy diving in an out of the nems tentacles...something not observed by my other clowns.

Maybe more importantly, determine what kind of clownfish you have/are getting. Then research what type of anemone they prefer to host with in the wild and get that kind. (or vise versa) Better chance of getting the look you're after.

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