thinking about getting an anemone. Do I really want to do this?

My wife and I have been in this hobby since 2007. We love it. We also love anemones. We've been discussing if we should get one for 75 gallon reef tank. We don't have too many corals yet. I know the risks there may be with owning an anemone, but are there any anemones out there that stay rather small? Like the size of a dessert plate. I have much research to do about them. We've seen an orange one at a LFS that was the size of a tennis ball, but idk how big it will get. We know our clowns may never host one. But there's something so beautiful about clowns in an anemone. It MIGHT be fun to try.

Current fish: 2 false percula clowns, 1 McCoskers flasher wrasse, 3 tierra anthius, 1 coral beauty and 1 soon to be removed flame angel.

 

Are you set on an anemone? Mine is hosted by a frogspawn.

Bubble tips are a good start.

How old is your system? Lighting? Filtration?

 

We are thinking RBT. We have 2 types of frogspawn.

Tank is a year old. 2 Kessil a150w ocean blue LED lights.

 

I would agree, bubble tips do not get to big. Plus they are the hardiest of them I think. I would recommend to get one. They are awesome. My clowns hosted it immediately.

 

Where do you live? My RBTA just split and I am looking to sell/trade it. ;D

 

Gonna disagree here. LFS has a RBTA that is roughly 1.5' when expanded.

OP, are you set on having an anemone to host? If not I'd suggest a flower/Caribbean rock anemone or a maxi mini, both max out at around 4." I hear aiptasia are pretty nice too. (lol)

Unfortunately most hosting anemones get easily over a foot, though this takes a while and typically split before max size. (surface area vs. volume)

If you must have a hosting species, BTA are your best bet as they are typically the most forgiving.

 

One day it will be doing terrific, the next your going to find is sucked in a power head laying on top of your most priceless or coral, or melting somewhere in the sand bed nuking your tank.

 

as suggested, Entacmaea quadricolor or smaller still Epicystis crucifer, Ceriathus sp.

if i had to chose from the selection I just gave you I would go for the bubble tips, love them!

similar to anemones you have the elegance coral which is a difficult but awesome coral.

 

+1 Also clowns don't host (except parasites,parties, and gameshows)anemones do.Anemones are a pita.IME

 

lol...