Tips on anemone care

fishie · 05-07-2008, 03:51 PM

I need some! My last anemone lived about 4 months in my care, which was much too short in my opinion. I've had my new bubble tip anemone for about 6 days. I fed it a few days ago, some brine shrimp. Yesterday it was looking all long tentacled so I thought maybe I didn't feed it enough before. He looks great today.

What do you feed your anemone and how often?

I know the nitrates need to be kept low. Anything else? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Or, tell me what you do for yours. Thanks!

Shock · 05-07-2008, 05:26 PM

Thanks fishie! i needed a thread like this, I just got my very first bta a few days ago. so i need tips also, all i have fed mine is brine shrimp so far, i need to go get some silversides for it,. but other than that im clueless, mine is not very bubblely, not huge bubbles atleast, the tenticles are filled but even i nthe store it wasnt big bubbles. but ive read that is not nessisarily a sign of bad health or anything. It hasnt moved since it settled in so im gussing its happy.

unclejed · 05-07-2008, 05:29 PM

Contrary to popular belief, anemones do not need to be fed as often as you think. Once a week or once every 10 days of a direct feeding of brine shrimp, silver sides, clam or other meaty food will suffice. They feed on light, so adequate light is more essential and they filter nutrients from the water. I believe many an anemone has met it's doom from over feeding than starving. Like an over watered plant that starts drooping and looking bad and so we think we aren't watering enough so we water more! Same with some of our denizens of the deep. Remember, in the ocean, what is the probability of a nice chunk of anything falling in the lap (er, mouth) of an anemone? By the way, if you have a clown and it's hosted, the clown will feed it also.

MeadowSky · 05-07-2008, 11:51 PM

I have a LTA and it eats freeze dried krill.
I was told to feed it when it is sticky

Shock · 05-08-2008, 12:05 AM

Is it normal for an anenome to shrink at night? mine hasnt done this since i got it (few days ago), and tonight was the first night ive seen it suck itself up this small.

MeadowSky · 05-08-2008, 12:11 AM

yep it is normal for them to expand and contract several times a day. I guess they can shrink down so much that you think they are a gonner but it is normal. Mine hasn't shrunk down that much but it can go from 2" to about 12" in length. such a weird strange creature!

Shock · 05-08-2008, 12:26 AM

ya i just read they do it to correct the water chemisty inside of them. so now im happy an dcan sleep

thanks

jamiedogood · 05-08-2008, 09:49 AM

I have three giant anemones. They get about 14 inches across during the day and sometimes curl unto a ball at night. I have had them for about a year and a half now. I feed them a chunk of squid once every couple of months. Other than that they eat whatever gets past the fish feeding frenzy. A clown fish will deliver food to a hungry anemone as well. So if water parameters are good they will thrive.

jglas26 · 05-08-2008, 10:48 AM

What are acceptable water parameters for " moderate care " anemone's? Do they have to be kept with just clowns?

Shock · 05-08-2008, 11:47 AM

anenomes require extremely good and stable water conditions, im not sure exactly what the numbers are, but whatever is good is what the require.

I found this last night http://www.carlosreef.com/AnemoneFAQ.pdf
it seemed to be very helpful. From what ive read BTAs are the "easiest" to take care of.

You do not have to keep anenomes with clowns, but a hosting clown will help the anenome, it will protect it from other creatures, feed it when its hungry, all the good stuff