compatibility of anemone and corals

justquit · #1 12/23/2007, 06:26 PM

I have one LTA in my 30gal. tank and I'm considering to purchasing some SPS and LPS for my tank. I know that both species have toxic defense mechanisms that might harm or maybe kill one antoher. My question: What are the chances that my 3inches wide anemone will kill the corals if its tenticals were to touch the corals? The LFS suggested that I shouldn't add any corals with an anemone in the tank. Any other opinions will help.

fishybusiness · #2 12/23/2007, 08:42 PM

It can be done. But just know as soon as the anemone decides to take a stroll there is usually a path of destruction. Just make sure your anemone has decided to stay put and your fine. As long as the anemone is happy everything is o.k.

Lance M. · #3 12/23/2007, 08:42 PM

I would guess that if the nem touched the corals it would more then likely kill them. But in a healthy environment the lta is not likely to move so you could place corals around it. My lta is about 6-8'' away from the nearest coral so even if it started to move I would catch it in time but it doesn't move and the way my rocks are set up it would have trouble getting to any corals. There are some scattered button polyps close by it like .5-1'' away from it that are doing well. It hasn't killed them. Whenever it touches them the polyps jst close up and they open up later fine.

You'd be good to go with corals in the top 1/2 of your tank.

davocean · #4 12/23/2007, 09:55 PM

In a 30g it's gonna be tough, especially as nem grows.
You need to keep at least 5" buffer IMO

adtravels · #5 12/23/2007, 10:15 PM

I agree, large tank easily done due to space, smaller tank corals will die as the nem wonders.

davocean · #6 12/23/2007, 10:42 PM

Zenia seems to be unharmed, but that's about it

justquit · #7 12/24/2007, 06:53 AM

thanks guys for the tip... I think the way my rocks are set up, my lta will have a hard time touching the corals. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to everyone here at Reef Central!!

Thunk · #8 12/30/2007, 08:02 PM

Just wanted to add that my hammer coral successfully fended off my gbta. the nem turned around and went the other way, lol. Dont recomend this but we decided to watch what would happen instead of intervening.