My first anemone

TXMike · #1 02/02/2007, 11:40 PM

I recently added a small sebae anemone to my 55g tank. I am hoping to see my three clownfish take to it. The clowns have been in the tank for about a year now. 2 questions:

1. Feeding: Suggestions for feeding the anemone? My LFS suggested feeding it freshwater "feeder fish," but that is a bit involved for me. Will target feeding frozen food work? Will other fish pull the food out of the anemone before it can eat it?

2. Clownfish: After a week I haven't seen the clownfish go near the anemone. Anyway to foster the relationship?

benray4fun · #2 02/02/2007, 11:57 PM

silversides & krill, feed twice a week & lots of light. The food you can get from your lfs for about $10

The relationship between the clowns and the anemone will develope on it's own..."if ever," sometimes they just don't take up residence. More than likely it will happen before the month is out..."good luck"

petoonia · #3 02/03/2007, 02:23 AM

My sebae likes clams I think they're the pro salt brand. I also use krill, silversides, and every once in a while I'll give it some mysis when I feed the fish. I use a turkey baster, and gently put the food right by the mouth. I chase off any shrimp or fish that try to steal its food. In the beginning I would chop the food up really small, so the anemone didnt have to work as hard to eat it. I also soak it's food in vitamins ( I dont know if the vitamins help but It doesnt seem to mind them)

Good luck with your new anemone!!!!!

print6196 · #4 02/03/2007, 10:14 AM

I bought a BTA about 5 months ago. From research online, some people feed alot, some rarely, some not at all. No help whatsoever.
My maroon clown took to it right away which is totally cool. I feed my tank formula 2 small pelets and the BTA was grabbing some and eating it, so I let it go. It has doubled in size and kept a nice dark color. Once in awhile it shrinks up, kind of balls up, but only for a little while. The clown coaxes him out.
This week he retreated into the rock where he lives and is about 1/4 of his size, still has color.
It has been a couple days, so I was concerned. maybe he hasn't been getting enough food. Who knows (I really don't think anybody does) But I went to supermarket and bought a 1/4 lb. of cheapest shrimp for $1.45. I defrosted a piece in a teacup of tank water in the microwave. Broke off about a 1/2" piece (didn't want to start with anything too big since it was new to both of us) used plasitic tweezers from my son's cheap microscope kit and he took it as soon as it touched him.
He's out a lot further today and I think he's fine. I think I'll supplement him with shrimp maybe once aweek for now on. Bytheway, $1.45 bought about 7 shrimp which will last awhile.
FYI he does like light and I have alot of flow.

Icefire · #5 02/03/2007, 10:29 AM

3 clowns in a 55G? You got 2 male I guess? no fights?

benray4fun · #6 02/03/2007, 11:33 AM

I just bought a white/florescent green BTA and he's hiding behind the rocks. I'll wait until he adjusts and comes out to the front before I start feeding'm.
He was under n.o. florescent and now he's under 600w of metal halide/pc combo's, so I'm guessing it's gonna take'm a few days to come out to the main lighted area.

keep and eye on your nitrates and phosphates, anemones are sensative to both. They'll die if those get to high so remember to check on a regular basis.

reef fanatic · #7 02/03/2007, 11:40 AM

Mike,
I feed my clown fish pellets by omega one and if they miss some, sometimes they will fall into the anemone, but as a rule I do not feed my anemone at all, mainly because he seems to be growing monstrous in just the 6 months I have had him/her. It is also a sebae and it was 2-4 inches across when I got it. It is easily 8-10 inches when expanded now.