Removing carpet anemone?

Be102 · Dec 8, 2016

Added a carpet anemone around 2 weeks ago to my tank. Was really worried about it until he ate my green war paint goby :/ since then he has decided to move closer to my rock work and now seems nearly impossible to remove. Woke up this morning to see he has been treated with a morning snack of a hermit crab and honestly at this point I'm beginning to have enough. What would you do? I seem like a monster but as much as I loved him at the store he's lost his magic. I originally intended to pick him up with the little clownfish he was with. However when I returned he was all alone. Bad decision on my part. Had no clue they're so aggressive.

Jason mack · Dec 8, 2016

Its always good too research the corals you want too buy .. even while stood in the shop.. put the name in the Search bar on here or YouTube or even Google .. get an idea of the conditions they live in , food they eat . If any ..
ive never had one so i cant say how too remove it .. but Im Sure one Will know on here .. or YouTube ..
Hope you can remove it and return it ...

Goldenvue · Dec 9, 2016

That's too bad impulse buys in this hobbie are bad and can lead to major problems. I'd get a rubber glove and start digging around the anemone till u can feel its foot stuck on the bottom of the tank. Anemone will go into defense mode to be careful it will sting the crap out of your hand. Good luck man and post here w results.

Tahoe61 · Dec 9, 2016

Direct some flow in the anemone's direction and it will probably go on the move, if not increase the directional flow. Once the Haddoni starts to move slowly peel the foot or column off rock or sand. Haddoni's are fish eaters plan and simple, so unless you plan to stock accordingly then you'll likely have further issues. Ideally do not get fish that share the same level in the tank such as gobies and mandarins.

It's not aggression, an anemone is composed of a gut and basic neurological system. Haddoni's have a significant sting, hobbyist just have to be aware of this risk of keeping this anemone type and stock appropriately.

Stichodactyla haddoni will walk and sting corals, wander into other inverts, over flows and power heads. Clowns not acclimated to the anemone will become a meal.

Stichodactyla haddoni are an awesome addition to the right system but they most definitely come with risk.

Diesel · Dec 9, 2016

Get like three clown fish in there, it will keep the other fish away from it.

Be102 · Dec 9, 2016

Diesel said:
Get like three clown fish in there, it will keep the other fish away from it.

You're suggesting adding another clownfish? Ultimately I would love to have the two I have bond to it. However I do not want to do anything cruel (both in a bucket together). I put some pictures on the back of the tank to supposedly help out. However I am beginning to get afraid that since the anemone has eaten everything since, what will keep them from getting another snack from these two clownfish.

Be102 · Dec 9, 2016

5806spartan said:
That's too bad impulse buys in this hobbie are bad and can lead to major problems. I'd get a rubber glove and start digging around the anemone till u can feel its foot stuck on the bottom of the tank. Anemone will go into defense mode to be careful it will sting the crap out of your hand. Good luck man and post here w results.

Will I still be stung through the gloves ? Honestly I just am nervous to deal with it. I have some heavy duty cleaning gloves so I'm hoping to be alright.

Diesel · Dec 9, 2016

As @Tahoe61 mentioned that even clown fish need to be acclimated to a carpet others for a healthy a cl as well.
If you so afraid why not trade it for a nice BTA or Rainbow BTA?

Darryl · Dec 9, 2016

if you get 2 clarki clowns they host anything they will help the situation.
as far as moving him just get underneith and carefully tickle and peal at same time the foot and it will lossen up takes a bit of time .as far as stinging it will feel like it is sticking on you like velcro
unless it gets your underside of arm you will not feel a sting. the sting is not like a bee

Be102 · Dec 9, 2016

Darryl said:
if you get 2 clarki clowns they host anything they will help the situation.
as far as moving him just get underneith and carefully tickle and peal at same time the foot and it will lossen up takes a bit of time .as far as stinging it will feel like it is sticking on you like velcro
unless it gets your underside of arm you will not feel a sting. the sting is not like a bee

Will he sting through the rubber? Or will I be alright? Doubling up on gloves? Will the Clarki fight with my current clownfish?

Be102 · Dec 9, 2016

Diesel said:
As @Tahoe61 mentioned that even clown fish need to be acclimated to a carpet others for a healthy a cl as well.
If you so afraid why not trade it for a nice BTA or Rainbow BTA?

Goal is to get him out so then I can try to bring him somewhere for some credit. Will he be alright in just a ziplock bag for transport?

Diesel · Dec 9, 2016

Be102 said:
Goal is to get him out so then I can try to bring him somewhere for some credit. Will he be alright in just a ziplock bag for transport?

Not really.
Ask your LFS if they want it first and if the do ask them for a large bag for transport.

Be102 · Dec 9, 2016

Diesel said:
Not really.
Ask your LFS if they want it first and if the do ask them for a large bag for transport.

Are the concerns of him breaking through? Or of him just leaking or something?

Trex · Dec 9, 2016

Personally, I wouldn't count on clowns keeping fish away from an S. haddoni. In fact, IME, clowns make things worse.

Before you go through the trouble of trying to remove it -- make sure you have a place that will take it.

WEAR GLOVES!!!!
Remove the rock and sand from around the base of the anemone. SLOWLY use the tip of your finger to get an edge of the foot free -- you have to take your time doing this. You do not want to damage the foot. Some recommend using a credit card, I personally don't like that suggestion -- want to be able to feel what I am doing and stop before any damage occurs. Work your way all around the edge of the foot. Take a break if you start to get stressed about it. In the past it has taken me over an hour to remove a healthy S. haddoni.

Be102 · Dec 9, 2016

Trex said:
Personally, I wouldn't count on clowns keeping fish away from an S. haddoni. In fact, IME, clowns make things worse.

Before you go through the trouble of trying to remove it -- make sure you have a place that will take it.

WEAR GLOVES!!!!
Remove the rock and sand from around the base of the anemone. SLOWLY use the tip of your finger to get an edge of the foot free -- you have to take your time doing this. You do not want to damage the foot. Some recommend using a credit card, I personally don't like that suggestion -- want to be able to feel what I am doing and stop before any damage occurs. Work your way all around the edge of the foot. Take a break if you start to get stressed about it. In the past it has taken me over an hour to remove a healthy S. haddoni.

It was silly for me to wait until he went under my rockwork to decide it's a bad idea. I'm an idiot.

Jason mack · Dec 9, 2016

Be102 said:
It was silly for me to wait until he went under my rockwork to decide it's a bad idea. I'm an idiot.

Your not an idiot ..and believe me we've all done something stupid in the beginning .. it's a learning curve that's all

Germ42 · Dec 9, 2016

Youre so right on Jason! Ive made so many mistakes, big and small, but ive learned from every single one! Youre only an idiot if you continue to learn the same lesson over and over and dont do anything to learn from it! [emoji38]