Tube anemones - need light? how often to feed

[Greg Hiller]

I was thinking about getting a small tube anemone for my tank at work. Are these guys photosynthetic? How often do they need to be fed? Can they catch fish? Are my Banggai cardinal or my clowns in any danger?

Of course I post this and then find this article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2004/invert.htm

 

[Lil Shark]

I HATE those things. Personal Experience: had one under a PB jar with holes cut into it. It burrowed under the jar to get out and eat three fish out of the tank. They are fly paper. I've watched it.

I think there is someone on Swam who has a TA only tank. So he could tell you more.

 

[Gina McReeferson]

I was thinking about getting a small tube anemone for my tank at work. Are these guys photosynthetic? How often do they need to be fed? Can they catch fish? Are my Banggai cardinal or my clowns in any danger?

Of course I post this and then find this article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2004/invert.htm

Greg, we have that same one in the article.......we've had it for over a year, no problem thus far. We found a spot where we wanted it, out of the way from corals, etc, and it has stayed put since. We had one in our old system as well, for over a year but lost her in the move. Our fish know to stay away from them. We target feed once every couple of weeks or so when we target feed corals, I love to watch her eat, very interesting. I don't think I'd feed too often, otherwise it may grow too large, too fast. It catches food when we feed anyway, every once in a while a piece of nori will fall on her and she'll reject it and get it of of herself with her tentacles.

I think tank size may play a big part in whether one of these is a good idea or not, I don't think we would have one if we had a small tank, I think you'd be fine with one, Greg.

We recently just added a deep purple one that David saw and could not resist. I love them.

 

[jbishop]

They are beautiful.

 

[bigdog]

greg i have 1 in my 58 gallon same one pink with green center had him or her 4 a year now i do not feed it it catches every thing that floats by . during the day its out but at night it is long ang strong never seen it eat fish and i have all small fish. just keep it farther away from coral cause it will sting good luck

 

[JD46]

I have had one for a number of years now (purchased at Inland Reef if that gives you an idea) Was about the size of a pinky finger when I bought it but has grown quite large. It is currently in a 15H and dominates one side of the tank. At night, the tube stretches out of the sand a good 5" and the tentacles are probably 8". Beneath the sand, I'll bet that the tube stretches most of the way across the tank.

I have never seen mine catch a fish. It did catch ahold of a lettuce nudi one time but released it. They will, however, sting corals. Mine left a nice tenticle mark through a monitpora and killed a couple heads of a torch before it was moved.

I feed it 5 hikari pellets every morning and that must be more than enough as it keeps growing (There are no fish in the tank, so it is not getting much food from other sources). They are non-photosynthetic, so lighting will not be a problem.

 

[Greg Hiller]

Thanks for the info guys/gals. I'll let you know how mind does when I get it.

Inland Reef....yes it has been a long time.

 

[Chuck Spyropulos]

Tube Anemones

Hi Greg,

If you mean cerianthus anemones then I can offer some advice. I placed mine low in my tank. They bury their foot in sand so you need sandy bottom. I do not believe that they are photosynthetic. When I feed the tank they catch what ever floats towards them and greedily force it into their mouths. I have never had to target feed them and mine have been in the tank for 3 or so years. They are extremely low maintenance and exteremly hardy.

I have never seen mine pose any thread to my clowns, small leopard wrasse, or other small fish. These anemones are the "least sticky" and "least predatory" anemones. I think you should be fine with your clowns and cardinals.

 

[Dave McReeferson]

I am (of course) with Gina on this one, but will add a couple points. They pack a strong sting, these are the only things that I ever felt any reaction to handling. It was a small reaction, but I don't usually notice any reaction to anything, if you are sensitive to such stuff, I would recommend caution in handling. They are also pretty sticky IME, but, our fish seem to know enough to stay clear, even given our heavy stocking we have never lost a fish to one of these.

 

[ReeferMedic]

I've had mine for 12 years or so. It was the size of a pencil cut in half when I bought it. I got it from the fish nazi in Everett before I knew better. They are non-photosynthetic. I almost never directly feed it. I have alot of fish, so there is usually plenty of mysis floating around for it to capture. I did at one time, and it seemed to grow pretty quickly with regular feedings. They are powerful, but no nearly as much as a carpet anemone ime. The only fish I've ever witnessed it taking were very small fish just after they were introduced, or a fish that was sick to begin with. I would imagine they can take a smaller fish if they had the opportunity, especially if one got spooked and took a dive into it. The tube that gets buried can get quite long. The last time I moved mine, the tube was almost 3' in length. They are also quite hardy. Mine has survived a few mishaps in the past. Also, don't underestimate the amount of room they will need. At night, mine gets really tall and can sting corals that are 6"-8" away from it, in any direction, during the day time.

 

[Greg Hiller]

>The last time I moved mine, the tube was almost 3' in length. <

:::: Oh, dear. This is a 44 Pentagon. I think I'm going to be careful about not feeding it too much. I suppose in the long run I can move it into my big tank.