Hi just thought I'd put my .01 in. I was talking to one of the biology profs at uvic last week who has numerous anenomoes (?sp) in her saltwater tanks. Not tropical but local ones. She says we should be able to keep them alive years like hers, they're easy. I can't say I've had any sucess but them I tried them under the conditions Brad mentioned, poor lighting, no experience etc. She didn't have any tips that would be useful as it sounds like she doesn't do anything but chuck food at them once in awhile. Go figure, maybe if we had Dr. before our names it would help? Rachel

Rachel, I'm not sure they're the same. I maintained local species in a tank at Camosun when I worked for the biology department. They had been in there for years and I don't think food was ever thrown in. They just kept going. They also come from the shoreline which has a couple of contaminants here and there. This might make them tougher, and able to live in a captive environment.

I have had a couple of Anemones, one was a BTA clone. the other an LTA that someone gave me. As you all know I don't skim and I use PC lighting. Neither of these animals gave me a moment's trouble. The reason both died is that I tried to give them both to a friend. Yes, probably he was not really ready for which I will take all the blame. But no, if Anemones are supposed to be difficult to keep I am an anomaly. :eek:

You had three different anemones in a 90? :eek: I think that could be the problem??? Wouldnt supprise me if they are killing each other. Just a thought. :biggrin:

Anemone, not anenome.

It might help on your search for information.

If you have a multi anemone tank, you better be sure they don't come in contact with each other, at least that.

Likely people bought anemones that were all dumped in a tank together and already beyond hope.

I kept my original (ordered in specifically LTA) for over four years. It is doing well with a fellow aquarist now into it's next few years.

I have a three year old sebae showing me how tough he is waiting to move back under MH.

Don't buy anemones from an LFS unless it is a special order of one specimen, and healthy upon purchase. Best to buy a clone from a reefer.

seen this?

http://www.reefaholics.com/AnemoneFAQ.pdf

tryed your website Brad, no luck getting into it. Did a water change. the anenomies look like they are already getting better. Will see what tomorrow brings. Did the carbon thing also. Thank you ALL for the hints and all the info

site worked. Opened in different format. Got some interesting reading to do. Cheers all

I have kept a pink tipped bta for over 2 yrs now and the previous owner 2 yrs before that. It split on him once and me three times.

The only hiccup that I had was one of the clones did not seem to form properly. It moved under a rock, never came out, and deteriorated. I discarded it after a week or so since I did not want mass tank contamination.

My tank is a 90 gal with 2x175W MH and 2x40W NO Actinics and a remora pro with an oversize pump. NO3 and NH3 have never been detectable. From my experience I would call bta's moderately difficult to keep.

I think the main factor with my success was obtaining a confirmed healthy specimen. Emily's point about not buying anemones from LFS is one of the best made in a long time. Either they do not ship well, or proper collection techniques (or both) are not used but the bulk of deaths that I read about involve a specimen purchased from a LFS within a few months.

I cannot comment on three dawgs' system' adequacies since I don't know the details but IMO the mixing of multiple species and the timeframe of purchase (health specimen from LFS?) are the two factors that I would look at.

so you guys suggest only purchasing clones from other hobbiests?

I never see them for sale by hobbyists - I need to make more friends :(