Help. Tank Conflict

[chief911]

All,
LONG time reader, this is my first post.
I've had a 75g SW tank for about a year. I've been learning as I go, so I've definitely made some mistakes. And now I'm in a bit of a pickle.
I started with a LTA and two percula clowns. That anemone has done great, and the two perculas are doing fantastic as well. They started breeding about four months ago and we have eggs like clockwork.
About 3 months into the tank, I bought a really nice (what was labeled LTA, but now know is a BTA) anemone that came with a skunk clown. The guy at the LFS said that since I have a 75g tank, it shouldn't be a problem. Since then the BTA has split about 5 times, all populating an area around the main rock for the skunk.
Recently the LTA moved so close to the BTA, that the really aggressive skunk started chasing the two clowns out of their anemone. I had to move the LTA over to the opposite side of the tank. In the past that has always worked.
The skunk is bound and determined to swim halfway across the tank and chase the clowns out of their anemone.
So, I'm not sure how to proceed. I dont know that I could catch the skunk, or I would just take him back to the fish store. And I really like the BTA, because it keeps splitting and its very pretty.
I dont want to take the perculas back, because they are more fun to watch, and they breed regularly.
I went so far as to erect a wall between the two areas, and that still hasnt stopped the skunk.
HELP!
Nick

 

[windlasher]

Originally Posted by chief911
http:///forum/post/3092467
All,
LONG time reader, this is my first post.
I've had a 75g SW tank for about a year. I've been learning as I go, so I've definitely made some mistakes. And now I'm in a bit of a pickle.
I started with a LTA and two percula clowns. That anemone has done great, and the two perculas are doing fantastic as well. They started breeding about four months ago and we have eggs like clockwork.
About 3 months into the tank, I bought a really nice (what was labeled LTA, but now know is a BTA) anemone that came with a skunk clown. The guy at the LFS said that since I have a 75g tank, it shouldn't be a problem. Since then the BTA has split about 5 times, all populating an area around the main rock for the skunk.
Recently the LTA moved so close to the BTA, that the really aggressive skunk started chasing the two clowns out of their anemone. I had to move the LTA over to the opposite side of the tank. In the past that has always worked.
The skunk is bound and determined to swim halfway across the tank and chase the clowns out of their anemone.
So, I'm not sure how to proceed. I dont know that I could catch the skunk, or I would just take him back to the fish store. And I really like the BTA, because it keeps splitting and its very pretty.
I dont want to take the perculas back, because they are more fun to watch, and they breed regularly.
I went so far as to erect a wall between the two areas, and that still hasnt stopped the skunk.
HELP!
Nick
well first of all, I would check your tank prams very closely. Nems dont usually split that often unless something is wrong, i.e. stressed out.
secondly, three clowns of any kind in a single tank is usually not a good idea.
the skunk is going to take over the tank and will probably end up killing your percs.
I would take him back. AND CHECK THOSE PARAMETERS.

 

[flower]

Welcome to the site....
I agree, only one type of clown per tank. I know very little about splitting anemones...I had a LTA for 2 years and it never split. I have had rock anemones, Hiatian pink tip anemones...none ever split. I didn't even know they split until I found this site.
I have never heard that poor water caused them to split...I would think that to multiply you would have good water..that's what I get for THINKING. Agan I have learned something new.

 

[rod buehle]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3092625

Welcome to the site....
I agree, only one type of clown per tank. I know very little about splitting anemones...I had a LTA for 2 years and it never split. I have had rock anemones, Hiatian pink tip anemones...none ever split. I didn't even know they split until I found this site.
I have never heard that poor water caused them to split...I would think that to multiply you would have good water..that's what I get for THINKING. Agan I have learned something new.

Not all (very few) host anemones reproduce by division. BTAs are the most common, and H.magnifica. When they do split it is often due to some sort of stress. When people hear that their anemone spit because of stress, they usually get defensive and say that their tank is perfect. The basic water paramaters might be, but unless the anemone is HUGE, there is most likely some sort of stress. That stress may be very unnoticable. It could be alaeopathy (chemical warefar) from other anemones and/or corals. it could be because the food you fed it was too large, it could be because the water change had parameters that were slightly off, , it could be from a messed up photoperiod (not on timers). It could be from a bully clown, it could be lot of things, but most of the time the splits ARE stress related.
I agree about one species per tank, so I would either set up another tank for the BTAs and teh skunk.. maybe get her a mate. With 2 breeding pairs, it might be feasable to raise the babies

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Rod Buehle
http:///forum/post/3092632
Not all (very few) host anemones reproduce by division. BTAs are the most common, and H.magnifica. When they do split it is often due to some sort of stress. When people hear that their anemone spit because of stress, they usually get defensive and say that their tank is perfect. The basic water paramaters might be, but unless the anemone is HUGE, there is most likely some sort of stress. That stress may be very unnoticable. It could be alaeopathy (chemical warefar) from other anemones and/or corals. it could be because the food you fed it was too large, it could be because the water change had parameters that were slightly off, , it could be from a messed up photoperiod (not on timers). It could be from a bully clown, it could be lot of things, but most of the time the splits ARE stress related.
I agree about one species per tank, so I would either set up another tank for the BTAs and teh skunk.. maybe get her a mate. With 2 breeding pairs, it might be feasable to raise the babies

Very interesting...Thanks for the lesson. I don't have an anemone anymore...my LTA ate too many fish so he lost is happy home.

 

[windlasher]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3092634

Very interesting...Thanks for the lesson. I don't have an anemone anymore...my LTA ate too many fish so he lost is happy home.
Unfortunately I found out the hard way when I started about them splitting due to water prams and/or stress.
I have also heard stories of people intentionally stressing them out in order to get them to split. One way was to do a big water change with really cold water.
Some people can be nasty.

 

[chief911]

Thank you all for the advice. I ended up catching the aggressive skunk, and he has a new home now.
I didnt even notice last night (because many times I'm not home til the lights are out on the tank) but both perculas have chunks of their tail fins missing from their fighting with the skunk.
Thanks again!
Nick