Anemones - Do you bother with them? Yay or nay?

Do you bother with keeping anemones? I know that some people don't keep them simply because of the risk factor of them crashing a whole system down if they die. So, do you:

A) Have an anemone(s) in your tank and are happy with it/them
B) Don't want an anemone because of the risk factor of toxins possibly being released into your tank
or
C) Don't have one cause you just don't want one.

A friend of mine had a BTA split about a year ago and he's had the second anemone in his Q tank slowly decreasing due to bad lighting, while his other anemone is huge and happy in his reef tank. He's going to let me have the second one if I want it, and it will be going into a 9 gallon mantis tank with 2x24 PC lighting (over 5watts per gallon) and I'm wondering if I want to go through with it or not.

Suggestions? Comments?

 

To me, one of the coolest things around is the interaction between a clown and it's host anemone. And I don't mind living on the edge at all. That's what it is all about. It keeps you on your toes and practicing good husbandry. Except when a PH eats your long tenticled friend.......that is bad.

 

I would not keep one in a coral reef community tank is a species specific tank they are fine I have never heard of one crashing a well established tank . And there in Lie's the cause behind that statement many try to add the anemones way too soon into the new tank life and its on a razor blade as it is where the systems biological stability and maturity are concerned and then the new anemone dies in the new system then boom it rolls up.

 

I agree and I have a mystery anemone for 5yrs now with no problems and just a few months ago added a bubble tip that my clowns love all are doing great. I just make sure I have plenty of back up water to hopefully stop a total crash.

 

I would be a little worried about how big it would grow in a 9 gallon tank. My GBTAs get up to 18 inches in diameter sometimes. I know not all of them get that big but some do. I have never had anemone die in many years of reefkeeping. I will always have at least one per tank they are always interesting to watch.

 

I will not keep them. I have had them crash my entire system.
As for the cool factor, get something else for the clowns. An anemone is not the only thing clowns will host and form symbiotic relationships with by far. My clowns host in a patch of long stemmed zoo's. Bring food to them and everything All of the cool factor with none of the risks

 

I've always thought they were cool but I won't keep them for the same reason packleader stated. I don't want to risk my community reef tank but have always thought of getting a specific tank just for them , but haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

I wouldn't put it in your mantis tank. The anem may eat your mantis.

 

I had a GBTA until I moved. It died and killed the corals (my fault). My maroon clown never left the side of the anemone, and he was either guarding it, sleeping in it, or rubbing on it constantly. It was cool to watch, but now that he has no anemone, he's out surfing the currents in the tank, swimming from end to end, swimming around the glass watching me, etc. I see so much more of his personality that I do not want another anemone.

A 9g tank is a bit small for a BTA, as well. They do get large and you probably want to let the tank establish more before you attempt to put one in there, even a small one.

 

I got one but I think I will get rid of it...my clowns have never hosted in it (16 months)...and it takes up alot of real estate in my 55 when it opens ...and it has moved and layed on a zoa colony and killed them all....very cool and gets lots of comments...but it is on my hit list....I think ...lol

LG