Anemone in a 46 bowfront?

I've heard some mixed things about putting an anemone in my tank. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm going to have 2 ocellaris clown fish to start and I'd like to put an anemone in the tank for them. Is my tank too small?

 

Anemone's are not in any way necessary for a clownfish (or any other fish). In fact, odds are your clown will completely ignore it.

The anemone will move around. If you have coral, it will sting them (very well may kill them) on its way around the tank.

Anemone's require very excellent lighting and mature tanks (1+ years old) to really do well.

Anemone's die from the inside out, so even if it *looks* like it's fine... well, you wouldn't really know.

Anemone's have the potential to nuke your entire tank.

They are not worth the risk to me.

 

Hello Star Wolf - i think you just made a post about cycling your tank?? If you are currently cycling your tank, then generally it is recommended that you wait 6 months at least before adding an anemone. But honestly, they are more trouble then they are worth.

 

Saved by 3reef patrons again! ;D Thanks guys!

 

I've always been a little skittish about anemones, too. My mated pair of clowns don't seem to be missing anything - they host their "corner."

 

I really love my anemone and watching my clown swim in it. You need to understand the risk though.

First wait a year before adding one.
Second, bubble-tip anemones are among the hardiest for a home aquarium.
Third, don't expect ocellaris to host a BTA. If you are planning to eventually get an anemone for your clowns get a pair of Tomato clowns instead.

 

My anemone would constantly move around my tank stinging things. Plus if you have koralia powerheads like I do you must watch out or else they will get chopped up. You must have an established tank with good lighting.

 

Ok, no anemone till I get a bigger tank maybe.

 

If you really like anemones I would actually recommend doing it in a smaller tank. Somewhere around a 30 gallon biocube with upgraded return pump and metal halide lighting is great for a nem. Keep it a species only tank so the only things your risking loosing to it are the clowns you put in there with it. Its really not worth putting one in with coral because you stand to loose a lot of money if you coral tank is nuked.