Smallest anemones ??

[Kershaw]

Ok so I have been reading about anemones. I had one a few years ago that I lost in a power outage. It never hurt any of my coral. But then I was using a MH lighting. Now I am using kessil a360we
I want a anemone that will not grow out of control. I really want a carpet anemone but from what I have read they will grow massive. My tank is 125 48x30x20. I have 2 clowns. They currently are not hosting. But they hang out near my blue sympodiums

So what are the smallest anemones that will host clown fish and that will least likely hurt my coral? Also will they kill coral or just irritate it as it passes by it looking for a spot it likes? My first one was a purple tip white Sabe I think it was.

 

[Kershaw]

Bump

 

[redfishbluefish]

They are in the carpet family but stay very small.....check out mini-maxi anemones. I have two and don't think I've ever seen them more than 1 1/2 inches wide.

 

[Kershaw]

Will clowns host them

 

[redfishbluefish]

Will clowns host them

I can't answer that because mine are in a tank with anemones only.....no fish. Maybe someone on [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] can help.


EDIT TO ADD: Just found THIS article in Coral Magazine which states, "These tiny carpets are not known to host clown fish."

 

[Davesgt]

Clowns usually will not usually host a maxi mini or even some of the small mini carpets that ive seen lately. That's not saying they will not, because ive had clowns host trumpet coral and frogspawn, its just not a highly likely thing that occurs. As far a anemones that will host a clown in that size tank a Long tentacle anemone usually does best for hosting in my experience. It really seems like any clowns love this type. I have a Anemone tank that has multiple RBTA ,and other BTA and the first thing the clowns went to is the green Long Tentacle, plus they usually split before they get to big with the exception of some getting nice sized. If they split you can always take it to LFS and trade.

 

[Kershaw]

Ok thanks. I will consider that. Are there any others

 

[Davesgt]

Yea the sebae anemones usually host well but I've seen them get very large and not split so it's kinda a hit and miss subject.

 

[Kershaw]

And carpets get huge right?

 

[Kershaw]

My old clowns hosted in my hammer coral. But these ones basically hang out near a cave in my rocks like there hosting it.

 

[Kershaw]

I have allot of open space in my tank for a large anemone but that's only if it stays on the sand.

 

[Trex]

The smallest hosting anemone would be an H. malu -- which can be somewhat harder to come by.
They are sandbed dwelling anemones.

FYI, a long tentacle anemone (( M. doreensis )) do not naturally split. The only 2 hosting anemones that naturally split are E. quadricolor (( BTA )) and H. magnifica.

Should note, H. malu will sometimes be referred to as a "sebae" anemone, H. crispa is also referred to by that common name too. The size difference in those anemones can be huge. I had an H. crispa that took up about 1/3 of a 75 gallon tank. One reason I don't care for common names.

 

[Kershaw]

Thank you. I will look them all up.

 

[charleslotz]

Hedoni carpet get very big but if you get one of the Reds, purple or luminous green , and have the guts you can slice them in half I have had a Green green for about 7 years and had to cut him once as he got about 20 " ,... It's takes some effort , and a quarantine system for a week or so but it was successful and I made an extra 200 for my effort. There are loads of videos, that go through this step by step but if you buy a small one it will be years before you need to cut....

You are aware though these carpets are notorious for eating your fish , over the years I have lost +5 fish to him/her. In the end I have had to put him in his own tank with his clown buddies.... Just some more info to help with the decision making process.

 

[Trex]

Would like to see some long term proof (( over a year )) of the cutting of an S. haddoni.

They do not naturally split, and in the ~ 20 years of keeping them, I have yet to see (( let alone hear )) of a true successful split of one.

IMO/E this isn't something that should be attempted.

 

[charleslotz]

Cut approx 2 years ago give or take a couple months will see if I can find pics of the cut itself, ... Admittedly you are not wrong and it is a challenging process but there are a couple references of successful cuts in various sites , but I have also not seen other longer term survivals, does not mean they are not around. Like today now you know one long term survival.

 

[Davesgt]

The smallest hosting anemone would be an H. malu -- which can be somewhat harder to come by.
They are sandbed dwelling anemones.

FYI, a long tentacle anemone (( M. doreensis )) do not naturally split. The only 2 hosting anemones that naturally split are E. quadricolor (( BTA )) and H. magnifica.

Should note, H. malu will sometimes be referred to as a "sebae" anemone, H. crispa is also referred to by that common name too. The size difference in those anemones can be huge. I had an H. crispa that took up about 1/3 of a 75 gallon tank. One reason I don't care for common names.

I have a green long tentacle that has split at least 12 clones in the past 4 years

 

[Trex]

I have a green long tentacle that has split at least 12 clones in the past 4 years

That is an E. quadricolor (( BTA )), and not an M. doreensis (( LTA )).

 

[Trex]

Cut approx 2 years ago give or take a couple months will see if I can find pics of the cut itself, ... Admittedly you are not wrong and it is a challenging process but there are a couple references of successful cuts in various sites , but I have also not seen other longer term survivals, does not mean they are not around. Like today now you know one long term survival.

Sorry, but for me, one picture does not constitute proof that S. haddoni (( the correct spelling )) can be successfully fragged like an E. quadricolor. Should have full documentation ( weekly pictures from beginning to 2 years later ) since there hasn't been any full documentation of their success.

 

[Davesgt]

That is an E. quadricolor (( BTA )), and not an M. doreensis (( LTA )).

Well then I learned something, I purchased it from vivid as a long tentacle. While we are on this subject I also had a purple long tentacle that was bright purple but passed a few years ago but have yet to find another bright purple one again. Where can I find one