Help 'exposing' an anemone

[microview]

I have had two clowns and an anemone for three weeks now. The BTA has decided it likes it best tucked down in an opening of the live rock somewhat hidden and protected. He (or it) doesn't open up much and does not appear to want to be hosted by the two clowns. It really can't because it is tucked back into the rocky opening. Many have said anemone like light and flow. I have considered that it is the flow that is driving him 'deep'. What is the proper amount of flow over the anemone? I have two powerheads circulating (2x145 gph) around the live rock. I have tried various positions for the flow. Currently, I have it pushing the water around the surface and down the sides trying to create more turbulent and less linear flow.
I have also read anemone like light. I have 10,000k actinic lights and he (it) doesn't seem to alter behavior day or night. I don't think shading him is realistic as he does not appear to be 'running' to or from the light now.
Is it ok to refoot an anemone or should I leave it alone and see if it comes out on its own? Should I reposition the live rock removing his 'hiding' spot? What about light? What would you do?
Thanks all for your expereinced opinions.
I should mention I have a 29 gallon nano reef tank.

 

[bexleyfish]

Your prolly fine on light, DO NOT try to reposition the foot. You will prolly rip it and then it will have big problems. Also, they move to where they like so that prolly best for it right now.... btw what are you feeding it and how often? Welcome to the forum

 

[microview]

Thanks for that recommendation. I will not refoot. I was feeding it frozen brine using a turkey baster q other day. Based on the info suggested on this board, I am going to start feeding it silversides. They just arrived yesterday. Is that appropriate? Is there better? How often should I feed? How much? How long should I be patient (I think the clowns are asking the same question.) Thanks

 

[bexleyfish]

Ya silver sides are great. As far as how often to feed... it depends on the size of your anemone, I feed my BTA every other day 1 silver side cut in to two pieces (the ones that are about the size of your pinky) If it is too big, it will drop it onto the ground. I mean really it will come pout when it wants lol. It not something you wanna force and somtimes it just takes a littlebit to get situated.

 

[microview]

What about the flow issue? Should I be concerned about too much flow discouraging (it) from coming front and center?
Is moving the live rock with he/she attached advisable as another way of getting it front and center? Most of the anemone I have ever been exposed to seem to roam. This bugger hasn't budged since it footed itself a few days after placing it in the tank.

 

[bexleyfish]

you could put a rock in front of the direct flow to see if it moves a little
dont do it too often as i may stress it but you can tweak it

 

[microview]

Has anyone ever used a rotating powerhead to create more of a turbulent flow vs. linear flow. I would think the fish, inverts, and corals would prefer this type of 'pressure' rather than linear. Any value in something like this or is it uneccesary?

 

[wingzfan]

Hey microview I have the exact same problem. Do you have the Red Sea Nano tank?

 

[microview]

Yesterday, I was doing the weekly 10% water change and cleaning and I decided that if the BTA wasn't going to move, I would rearrange the LR and position it in a more desirable (viewable/accessible to the clowns) position. While I rearranged, I reduced the ph flow directly onto the BTA with a rock. It got really flat then seemed to puff a bit. I even fed it once the water had cleared and settled (which it took and then spit out and hour later). This morning I see it has traveled to be sitting sideways (facing the front of the tank). Seems like a hard way to feed but whatever. Does anyone have one in such a sideways position? Now after nearly a month, is there still a chance the anemone will knock off being so shy, stay put and host a clown?

 

[nietzsche]

Originally Posted by Microview
Yesterday, I was doing the weekly 10% water change and cleaning and I decided that if the BTA wasn't going to move, I would rearrange the LR and position it in a more desirable (viewable/accessible to the clowns) position. While I rearranged, I reduced the ph flow directly onto the BTA with a rock. It got really flat then seemed to puff a bit. I even fed it once the water had cleared and settled (which it took and then spit out and hour later). This morning I see it has traveled to be sitting sideways (facing the front of the tank). Seems like a hard way to feed but whatever. Does anyone have one in such a sideways position? Now after nearly a month, is there still a chance the anemone will knock off being so shy, stay put and host a clown?

you probably stressed him out with moving him. when theyre in a spot they want to be in the spot for a reason, good amount of flow, good amount of light, etc. it probably spit out the piece of food because it was either too big or its just stressed from you moving it and didnt want to eat. i hear the btas like to wander, and if its a good size, it might host the clown, but the clown might not be ready or want to

 

[microview]

I would imagine I 'stressed' it. As much as I 'stressed' the fish with the cleaning, but his/her move was very little. I simply tried to expose it a bit more by turning the rock it was on and others that were covering it. I appreciate and respect that he wants to be in a place that is comfortable to him/her. I simply am working to strike a compromise to a location/position that is mutually acceptable. If it stays where it is now (sideways on the rock but front and center and visible), that will work other than it is going to be a bit more work to feed it. (Any suggestions?) I can deal with that. As for the hosting, is this something that occurs fairly early with introduction or can it take time? (They (the clowns and BTA) have been tank mates for nearly a month.) If an anemone hosts a clown, do they ever stop?

 

[nietzsche]

Originally Posted by Microview
I would imagine I 'stressed' it. As much as I 'stressed' the fish with the cleaning, but his/her move was very little. I simply tried to expose it a bit more by turning the rock it was on and others that were covering it. I appreciate and respect that he wants to be in a place that is comfortable to him/her. I simply am working to strike a compromise to a location/position that is mutually acceptable. If it stays where it is now (sideways on the rock but front and center and visible), that will work other than it is going to be a bit more work to feed it. (Any suggestions?) I can deal with that. As for the hosting, is this something that occurs fairly early with introduction or can it take time? (They (the clowns and BTA) have been tank mates for nearly a month.) If an anemone hosts a clown, do they ever stop?
it can take time, and it also may not even happen. my ocellaris used to stay in a corner and called it her home, after a week or more she saw my hammer coral and decided that was her home. so it really depends on what your fish decides and what species. some may not even recognize the anemone since they dont deal with them in the wild and not host.
are you putting the food directly on its mouth? all you have to do is have the food touch the tentacles and theyll immediately grab it and slowly start moving it towards their mouth, but thats if theyre healthy with sticky tentacles.
if the anemone is smaller than the fish, like if two clowns decided to make a home of the anemone and its too small, it might not react well to it and eventually die from all the roughness the fish dish out.

 

[microview]

Thanks for that advice and information.

I know, I am being impatient. So far, it seems to be perfectly happy hanging horizontally. Does anyone have a left-handed silversides-shifting anemone feeder?