keeping sebae anemone
 

Hi all...I was just trying to do some research on keeping a keeping a sebae anemone for my 2 clown fish. I was over at the LFS and they said anemone dies quite frequently in captivity...is it true? are there certain types that are easier to keep then others?
what exactly is some things you need to what out for and pay extra attention to?

Usually the big killers of anenomes are:
1) inadequate lighting
2) inadequate water conditions
3) powerheads/pump intakes

If possible, always look for a captive bred/cloned anenome. These will be much more accustomed to aquarium life and a much better choice. Also, make sure your system is mature enough and your water conditions have become stable (at least 6 months after a tank has been set up). Anenomes, while beautiful creatures, are not nearly as forgiving as some other things availble to aquarist that can also be used as serrogate hosts for clowns.

Sebaes need MH lighting, I believe. BTAs & LTAs are slightly more forgiving.

Really? Because at the LFS their Seabaes are under just regular NO antinic and 10,00K lights...maybe they don't care since they have high turn over rates?

there are counting on selling them quickly. LFS' usaly have lower lighting to keep there costs down and concidering it will take several weeks for something to loose color and longer than that to die they are usaly sucessfull.

Steve

Sebaes grow to 18" across in captivity. Not the best anemone to choose , ime.

If you have a tank smaller than 100gals, you will lose a fair bit of room once it starts growing. I had a sebae go from 6 inches to about 14 inches in 8 months. I think you would want to put the sebae under halides. PC's may work, but you will probably have to supplement with more food.

Al

I think Dez keeps his sebae under flourescents... not sure which kind, but definately not MHs. Its been there for awhile now, and still looks pretty good.

-Rich

lights
 

pet stores can put them under the lower light conditions because they aren't keeping them long term. I also find that they open up more trying to increase their surface area for photosynthesis in lower light but that may just be a coincidence ime.
long term, they will need stronger light. some people can put them under vho if they put them high up in a rock pile.

You have to remember though Rich, that Dez' has the anenome about 3" from the surface....also, I'm not sure if it expands as much as it did in Al's tank. I think Al said it was about 18" across when he had it. I think its only about 10" open in Dez' tank.

Mine was at the bottom of my tank and it grew to 12" in about a year under 110W of PC only. It was one of the first things I bought for my reef (before I got Halides) and the first thing that outgrew my tank. I have posted lots of growth pics of it on here. I stopped target feeding it once I realized that it was not necessary.

Thats good then . . . I heared that anemone only expand themselves when they are in need of more lighting . . . :question:

Ok...so what are some that is recommended for a 33 gallon?
I really like how the clown fish attatch to them and wiggle around...sooooo cute. my son specially a NEMO fan...(for almost 2 years now....he's crazy)

before going out and getting an anenome , Make sure you have the proper
lighting first or your anenome will die a slow death . I had one , but my lighting wasn't up to par so I gave the anenome back .

The bubbletip seem to be the best choice ( from what I've been reading ).
But weather or not your clown will host in it , is hard to say . You may just want to look around for one already hosting a clown and buy them both .........but remember , Lighting is the first step .

I have just purchased Invigor's 2x96W PC light.
this is a 36" for my 33 gallon. So What can I keep in there?
right now I have a 2 inch long ocellaris clown (Amphiprion ocellaris) and a 1 inch long true percula clown (Amphiprion percula).

They seem to be very happy hanging together....
I also have 3 giant snails and a small one. and also a coral banded shrimp.

So what is something that I can keep easily? with my setup?

The thing is, your system should be "mature" or at least thru the first 6 months' worth of algae cycles, and has good steady water quality that doesn't change much. The light will be fine for your 33 to keep any colour of BTA, and people seem to have had success with a Sebae or two as well using PC lighting, but I wouldn't recommend one for a beginner.

In fact, many will caution you to have your tank running for up to a year before adding any anemone. When the LFS says many die after purchase, it's because people often take them home before they're in a good position to care for them. That's why you wil hear the "1 year" guideline - it's pretty safe that after a year, you'll have some good experience and will be able to provide a suitable environment for a fairly challenging animal to keep.

I don't think longterm success, imo 5years or more, has been attained with PC's over the sebae. I could be wrong. Having kept one for at least that long, I will say, decline is rapid in lower lighting.

how bout bubble tips? Seems like a lot of people say they are easier to keep...