need as much info on buble tip anemones

[jenny_rs]

hello everyone, as i am cycling my SW aquarium, and planning on purchasing a clownfish (most likely an Ocellaris or false percula), I am interested in eventually adding an anemone. I did some research, and found that the bubble tip is one of the easier anemone's to care for. But I am not sure if the Ocellaris will host with this sea anemone. I have found that the Ocellaris clownfish hosts best with Giant Carpet, Merten's Carpet, and Ritteri Anemones. But these anemone's are the most difficult to care for, and I REALLY do not want to set myself up for disappointment. I was wondering if there is anyone that can tell me the information that i need to know? I am not in a rush and will probably try to find a book or go to the lfs and see if anyone there knows, but I wanted to see if I could find some people with first hand knowledge and/or experience.

 

[ophiura]

The primary thing people will ask is what lighting do you have?
The tank will need to be mature, IMO, before adding one...at least 6 months old if not older. Remember that clowns do not need anemones to be happy, so there is no need to rush into it! Definitely good to start researching now

 

[jenny_rs]

Thanks for the quick reply. I agree with you in that clownfish don't need anemone's to survive, but down the road i would like to get one. right now i have to upgrade my lighting as it's a flourescent bulb. And i was thinking it might be about 6 months or so before i should be adding any anemone's because it's a newly established tank. But i do want to get a head start in the information department so that in the future i will know what i am doing hehe

 

[ophiura]

YOu are definitely right on the lighting upgrade. What you should also then research is if you intend to keep other corals (the anemone in a reef tank debate is there as well) and if you want corals...what kind. So that will also help eliminate buying lighting and then upgrading again when you get the addiction really going

 

[jenny_rs]

lol i was thinking i would keep one anemone to begin with, but i wasn't sure if corals are okay to be in the same tank as anemones? also, would be it be better to stick with corals? like would the clownfish be happy with corals? because if it is easier to keep corals and the clownfish would be ok with corals, then i would go with them. I have a lot of thinking to do! :thinking:

 

[ophiura]

Well, people go both ways on the anemone/coral issue.
What you have to keep in mind is that anemones can and will move. They may stay in one place a LONG time, and then one day, pack it in, and move. The problem is they will sting things in their path, or the corals may sting back, making a nice little cnidarian war in the tank.
So it is a personal decision. So long as you are aware what CAN happen, and can accept it, then you will be OK. But Murphy's law should be followed. If you have one specimen that is your PRIZE, it will be the one affected. So if you do have a coral, or an anemone, that you love above anything else, that is where you may draw the line.
People successfully keep anemones in coral tanks. But it is the chance...
It is not necessarily easier to keep corals, though there are certainly some that are not extremely challenging when given the basics they need. There is no doubt that some corals do extraordinarily well, in the majority of cases, and many anemones may not have this positive record (though I think we are getting there). But they all to some extent have similar requirements. There are a lot of threads in this forum on these topics!

Some clowns may, in fact, take to various corals...but not always.

 

[jenny_rs]

Thanks, i read that when the Anemone is unhappy with it's conditions it will move to a better spot. And I also read that if you house corals and anemone's in the same aquarium war could be waged hehe

But if the chances are that my Clown will be happier with an anemone, then I would be better of going with one. My question is, in captivity, do clownfish host with most anemone's? or will they host only with the anemone's they prefer? Because if that is the case then I would either a) be better off not having anemone's at all or b) try and take on the challenge of keeping one of the most difficult anemone's around. I read that the Ocellaris hosts with these three anemone's: Giant Carpet, Merten's Carpet, and Ritteri. Those are three of the most difficult Anemone's to keep! :thinking: I think if i had to choose I would be better off not having anemone's at all hehe

 

[ophiura]

Well, many clownfish today are tank raised (and I encourage using that option if you can). In addition, you can get "tank raised" clones of anemones. Both of these are sustainable and definitely a benefit to the hobby

As for hosting, many are not picky. But sometimes they will not really host. It is a toss up. I don't think you can be guaranteed that even if you had the right clown with the preferred anemone that it would host for sure. And I don't think it would be personally good to go for an anemone with a lower record of survival just to try to match this up. But that is my opinion.
I would presonally choose a tank raised clown and anemone and hope for the best

 

[jenny_rs]

Thanks for the help! I heard that tank raised is better to go with since they are already tank raised...

I would have to go and find out at Big Al's (the only aquarium in my area that sells saltwater stuff) if they have tank raised anything. hopefully I will get lucky!

 

[ophiura]

What city or area are you located in?
And there is always online

 

[fishy7]

Just a suggestion. If you are interested in making sure your clown hosts buy them together. This way you are increasing your chances. I know at my LFS I see clowns hosting their anemones all the time. People buy them together and away you go. :happyfish

 

[jenny_rs]

thanks, that might be actually a good idea. i am located in ontario, canada. I would buy online, but i am not sure the fish or anemone would survive, and don't really want to risk it.

 

[ophiura]

Do some searches to see if you have a local reef club. They are always a great resource