Bulb Anemone Question

irishconor

New Member
Hi guys,
I have a few questions for you,
I have a 75-gallon fowler, set up for around 2 years, with live sand (course and fine).
I bought a Bulb anemone about 4 weeks ago (he's doing fine)
Though he didn’t seem to like the substrate ( I’m guessing the course).
So, over 3 to 4 hours he rolled around and somehow, he up turned a large shell I have in the tank, and firmly planted his foot inside it!!!!!
I read up on them, before I got one, and found that you should feed them
Twice a week, unless you have a clown!!!!!?????........
Well I have 3 clowns (2 Perculas and a Tomato) and all have hosted with him.
I hadn’t feed him anything, because of what I'd read….. Though a week ago,
I noticed his tendrils elongated, and from what I'd read, it is a sign that he is hungry.......So I feed him frozen Mysis shrimp 1/3 for him 1/3 for my Eel and the rest for the community fish. (so far twice, as in, every 3 days, except for all the community fish).
Is what I’m reading wrong? Or, do I still need to feed him anyway?
What is the advantage of having a clown host? How does he feed from the clown? Or does he?
How, in gods name, am I going to get him out of that shell. …Safely…?
A lot of questions I know, and I haven’t been on the board for a while (moved & new computer) I do remember a poster named "Thomas" I think that had so many bulbs he was trying to give them away (pick up only as I remember)..
If he or someone with the same expertise reads this I would much appreciate an answer........
Thanks in advance
Conor.
 

chinpokomon

Member
First do not remove the anemone from its shell, once it finds its “spot” you’ll need to worry if it starts to roam from there because that means its not happy. Many anemones like to bury their column in the sand your problem may have been sand depth. A 6”-8” high pvc pipe a little bigger than you’re anemone’s column filled to within ½” of the top with fine sand will generally be accepted as a new home. Other anemones like to bury their foot into your live rock and such. You rarely get to decide where your anemone wants to live this is determined by light and current. If the food you place on your anemone is accepted you’re OK anemones don’t have to accept everything offered they can control their stinging feeding response. I’ve read that the waste given off by guest clowns can feed the anemone but I feed mine from time to time to
 
T

thomas712

Guest
I hadn’t feed him anything, because of what I'd read….. Though a week ago,
I noticed his tendrils elongated, and from what I'd read, it is a sign that he is hungry.......So I feed him frozen Mysis shrimp 1/3 for him 1/3 for my Eel and the rest for the community fish. (so far twice, as in, every 3 days, except for all the community fish).
Is what I’m reading wrong? Or, do I still need to feed him anyway?
What is the advantage of having a clown host? How does he feed from the clown? Or does he?
How, in gods name, am I going to get him out of that shell. …Safely…?
Lets see here. Flat out I have almost entirely quit feeding my BTA's. In fact last year I had removed many of them to my 55 gallon fuge and refused to feed them only the 80 watts of lights that they get. They have not only lived but have even multiplied in there. I admit they stunted in growth. The ones in my 90 are doing just great with 440 watts of VHO and 500 MH. They simply require no direct feedings for my tank, no special care other than the two mated ocellaris clowns.
Clown fish often feed the anemone by spitting the food into them, anemones will also absorb the solid waste of the clown fish. Many(most) will simply draw nutrients from the zooxanthellae that lives within them, and that is why lighting is so important.
Different anemones also require different needs. I would not allow a carpet anemone to go unfed every week. LTA's would require better feeding than I do my BTA's now also.
If you really want to remove your anemone from its shell you can try an ice cube on the reverse side of the shell to make him let go, or just position the shell and anemone in the rock work where you want and then let the anemone decide if it wants to move on.
Thomas
 

irishconor

New Member
Thanks alot guys, you gave me everything I needed and more....

Guess I need to look at my lighting next....LOL
Thanks again,
Conor.
 
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