Bubble Tip Anemone

[Callous1]

I am considering adding a Bubble Tip Anemone to my 47 gallon DIY acrylic tank with 400w MH for my clowns and have a few questions:

How mobile are the BTA's? Do they "foot" quickly and stay put? I've heard some types of anemones roam

Will the sting of a Bubble Tip Anemone kill a coral or T. clam?? I've also heard some corals will nettle some anemones as well

I have had successful reef tanks over the years but never owned an anemone. From what I understand the BTA's are the safest for a reef tank. Any input or links would be greatly appreciated

[zhenya]

Hi Callous1,

How mobile are the BTA's? Do they "foot" quickly and stay put? I've heard some types of anemones roam

Well, if anemone is happy and finds a suitable spot quickly than roaming should be minimal. As time progresses this particular anemone may begin to clone ( think asexual reproduction) and that in itself may be your biggest problem. I should know since I have about 15 of them.

Will the sting of a BTA kill a coral or T. clam??

They can and will kill coral or clams if allowed physical contact. I lost almost everything in my tank as my rose E.quaricolor begun to take over the tank. As far as some coral being able to nettle anemones.., I sincerely doubt it. Unless some can chemically compete with anemone and make it move or even make decline. Probably possible but in physical contact anemone will win most of the time.

I have had successful reef tanks over the years but never owned an anemone. From what I understand the BTA's are the safest for a reef tank.

I think BTA's ( Entacmaea qudricolor ) are probably the most suitable for captivity simply becouse of their ability to reproduce asexually and that means that they don;t have to be removed from their natural habitats all that often.
You should check out article by Dr.Shimek in our magazine, RHO.
http://www.reefland.com/rho/0505/main4.php

[BubbaWPB]

How mobile are the BTA's? Do they "foot" quickly and stay put? I've heard some types of anemones roam

My BTA roamed quite a bit at first until he found a place he liked. When he starts getting antsy and moving about a bit (never too far), there's usually something wrong with my water chemistry.

Will the sting of a BTA kill a coral or T. clam?? I've also heard some corals will nettle some anemones as well

My BTA is on a rock near my T. maxima and T. crocea - at times they pull back a little when the anemone is near, but at other times, they seem to ignore it - even while it is brushing up against their mantles. At one time, the BTA was even attached to the teardrop maxima's shell. The only coral that the BTA has had contact with is the turbinaria... the turbinaria just withdraws some of its polyps (so far no polyp death).

[Steven Pro]

Roaming and then cloning are the biggest problems with BTA's with corals or clams. I added one, which quickly became two, and it is past time to get them out and put them in their own display.

[zhenya]

and it is past time to get them out and put them in their own display.

You said it,Steven. It is especially entertaining if you have a large clownfish present, mine tries to take my arm off if I am remotely close to the anemone.

Bubba, count your blessings... I had lost a 12" T.derasa to the rose BTA in about two month of the tentacles brushing the mantle.

[Callous1]

Thanks for the input everyone,

Judging from the article by Dr. Ron sounds like the BTA's don't desire the brightest spot in the tank.

Will my 47 gallon be too small for a BTA (especially if it starts splitting)??

If I do decide to add an BTA to my tank seems I should do so before the tank is heavily stocked with corals.

Do you just let the BTA find a spot then rearrange corals if necessary?? This was my concern about a single sting killing a coral or clam. When it wanders around looking for a place to foot I'm affraid it will kill some corals or my T. Derasa along the way. What do you do if the spot it chooses is in the rear of the tank behind rock structure?

Thanks for the link zhenya, the article made some very interesting points about anemones in the hobby. Anyplace that sells captive propogated BTA's??

[GaryZ]

Roaming and then cloning are the biggest problems with BTA's with corals or clams. I added one, which quickly became two, and it is past time to get them out and put them in their own display.

What do you mean "past time to get them out"? If a BTA clones, your stuck with it?

[BubbaWPB]

If I do decide to add an BTA to my tank seems I should do so before the tank is heavily stocked with corals.

That's what I did. Although I'm always sorta nervous about Lester (my BTA) getting a good case of wanderlust. There's nothing better though than coming out during the night and seeing my pair of clowns all nestled in for the night in Lester's tentacles. They all look so happy!

Do you just let the BTA find a spot then rearrange corals if necessary?? This was my concern about a single sting killing a coral or clam. When it wanders around looking for a place to foot I'm affraid it will kill some corals or my T. Derasa along the way. What do you do if the spot it chooses is in the rear of the tank behind rock structure?

You really can't control where an anemone finally decides to take hold. I don't think you have much choice other than to let it find a spot, then rearrange. Also, chances are the BTA will choose a spot where it can hide - under a rock or something - when he is deflated.

Any choice of critters in the tank usually limits what else you can put in. I haven't been sorry for adding Lester to my crew.

[zhenya]

What do you mean "past time to get them out"? If a BTA clones, your stuck with it?

Gary,

I think what Steven was trying to say that if you don't plan on keeping many anemones, ala anemone tank, you may need to remove the clones becouse they will take over the tank, eventually...
My 110g tank was once a thriving reef with many corals and clams in it, today it is a home for 15 anemones.

[BubbaWPB]

Gadzooks, Gene! Are you feeding them Wheaties, or what?!?

[Callous1]

There's nothing better though than coming out during the night and seeing my pair of clowns all nestled in for the night in Lester's tentacles. They all look so happy!

That's what I'm talkin about, Clownfish look so happy when they squiggle around in an anemone. The Clownfish in my last tank used to cozy up in a brain coral due to the absence of an anemone.

[Callous1]

Gary,

I think what Steven was trying to say that if you don't plan on keeping many anemones, ala anemone tank, you may need to remove the clones becouse they will take over the tank, eventually...
My 110g tank was once a thriving reef with many corals and clams in it, today it is a home for 15 anemones.

It's hard to believe that's only 15 of them. They must all be pretty huge, wow.

[Steven Pro]

Yep, that is it. They tend to reproduce, kill nearby corals, and take over a display.

[j_man]

That is the most insane picture I have ever seen. What kind are they?

[Toni217]

Oh my! how long have you had them to take over a tank like that? iam with bubba what do you feed them?

[zhenya]

I have them for about three years now. I had given away few clones now and then but I simply can't do it fast enough.

What kind are they?

They are E.quadricolor, or the BTA anemones. And, I feed them silversides, about three to four per each clone. However, at this point I feed them about twice a week to possibly slow down their reproduction rate.

[ghofmann]

Wow that is an awsome looking anemone tank you got there Gene!!!
How long did it take for them to cover that much space?

[zhenya]

Wow that is an awsome looking anemone tank you got there Gene!!!
How long did it take for them to cover that much space?

Thanks, Greg!

It didn't take all that long for them to take over the tank, I'd say about a year or so. The problem was that I didn't have anyone to give them to in the begining and I couldn't bring myself to just kill them. It's enough hustle to try to take one out( the resident clownfish goes bonkers) so I just let them be. Now, if anyone wants one they have to come over and take it out themselves...

[ghofmann]

Now, if anyone wants one they have to come over and take it out themselves...

I'm not that brave !
Now maybe if I had full length rubber gloves that were nice and thick !

[BubbaWPB]

I feed them silversides, about three to four per each clone. However, at this point I feed them about twice a week to possibly slow down their reproduction rate.

Note to self: Continue bright lighting and letting the clown fish feed Lester. Do not, repeat, DO NOT feed multiple silversides per clone!