yeah, it would be a great idea if we can put it into the softie tank with MH and flow, but once it attach to a rock or hide behind all the rock work, it would be a impossible sale... maybe i have to build it a little corner, with eggcrate?? not sure... any idea? maybe put a strong powerhead in the existing tank?

another problem i "foresee" is that since the shop only have MH in 2 of the tanks, and i think i cannot stock 2 anemone together, they touch and might get damage... space is of concern...

i guess in a shop setting, sacrifice must be made, until there exist a balance between cost and benefit... any opinions on improving the state of the anemone habitant yet not costing the shop an arm and a leg?

:rolleyes: :razz:

Split a tank with eggcrate, slap 250w halides over it (available pretty cheap, look into Sun Aquatics stuff), put each of your anemones in a separate compartment. I don't feel there is any excuse for not providing an acceptable level of care. Theoretically you could save money if less of your anemones die before they are sold.

Thanks guys! Never been inside but been buy many times.

Oh, and - they had a small Purple Tang with HLLE, on special for $50.

Nice fish, but needs care... Mom Tang kind of care.

well, teevee, if it is this cheap, can you get a store going and see what happens?

i will see what i can do... as for your idea :rolleyes:
i already put a powerhead into the anemone tank... as i said, budget is really tight and i must find a balance between cost and benefits.

Aussiefishy, I'd love to come into your store and take a look at your ritteri. I've kept one for three years now. Definitely my favourite species.

It is unfortunate they get so large. I have more than I can handle with the one I have right now.

The "rules" with this species is, as much light as possible, as much current as possible, and plenty of food. I agree with the already-suggested mysis. Other things, small chopped up pieces of shrimp, maybe some fish (silversides? not too much though), basically seafood.

Now. If yours is eating (and keeping down the food it is offered), this is a good sign. He is sitting on the glass though, because he is looking for a spot with more current and/or more light. Instinctly, they move upwards if they are not getting enough of what they're looking for. In the wild, you will find these anemones at the very top of the reef.

The best way to keep them from wandering is to make a pillar (or "bommie") of rocks and have the anemone sit on top. This will mimic it's natural environment. For current, maybe aim two powerheads at each other, have the point where the currents converge/meet just slightly adjacent to the anemone. This will create some great laminar flow. You want the point of convergence to be slightly adjacent because we don't want to aim the powerheads right at the anemone (powerhead output is an unnatural flow type). If possible, have a source of light directly above. Halides are best.

I know it would be annoying to have it attach to a rock, but, ... well two things. One, it will look better. Someone will likely buy it more easily. You can either sell the rock with it (this is what I'd do, actually). Or, if you use a smooth surfaced rock, you might be able to tease the anemone off. This has both advantages and disadvantages. A smooth surfaced rock is what he'd likely be attached to in the wild. A smooth surface will be easier to coax him off. But, coaxing an anemone off a rock is never fun, and if rushed, can lead to injury of the foot. So, it's a judgment call I suppose. I know if it was me, I'd just try to sell it with the rock.

Take this all as free advice. I don't know the first thing about running a store, and I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it myself. I do know, however, a small bit about anemones and I'm happy to offer to any advice to anyone who wants to listen to me. :lol:

I thought you were an economics major. I gave you a suggestion to save you money in the long run, do a cost-benefit analysis. You don't need to do exactly what I said. If you look around you will find that metal halide setups aren't that expensive if you put them together yourself.

oh now i am getting comment on my specialty of studies....

thank you for your advise on the anemone... as we look at the sales we are selling these anemone within a timeframe of between 7-21 days... and the shop currently are not planning on getting another HQI setup... we do not use MH. the way i think about this issue is how much anemone can i sell to cover the expense on them... this is the store's cost-benefit analysis. i am not sure if i am correct but i think it is a sensible way of how a petstore is to be operated.

i do not want to start an argument on store ethics but i don't think our store's setup is abusing the anemone, at least we are not trying to abuse it and provide the worse possible habitat for them. tony's opinion is well accounted for and i am happy to try-out the powerheads. see how it goes.

we have 2 ritteri's, one is sold... today and the other is still healthy.
if you want to talk about how fish store are handling their livestock, i am confident to say we are not the worst but the point is we are not trying to be one. that is why i am taking my own time to come and talk about this. i am not paid for the time i spend in this forum and i do not get any benefits from se4lling anything in the shop rather than my hourly pay.

please remember one thing, i don't owned the shop, and by all means i am a hobbiest. but i have a fair view on things. :redface:

thank you
:smile:

and if possible, may i meet tony in the shop on sunday from 1230-1730?

LFS care
 

Pet stores are not designed to hold creatures for a long period of time and to pick on one because of something you have noticed is unfair. I could find something that isnt recommended in just about every LFS I go into. Take it one step further and take a look at the dogs and cats next time your in a pet store, I have never read any piece of literature that recommends keeping cats and dogs in 3x3 square cages, but it goes on every day.

Back to fish, they are pulled from thier natural habitat, put in a holding container for days (weeks), put in a plastic bag, shipped around the globe, put in a tank at a pet store and finally put in the aquarists aquarium. I see one cruel thing in this chain (can you pick it out). Unless your tank is fully captive bred you shouldnt be throwing any stones.