New Print and eBook on Amazon:   Anemone Success Doing what it takes to keep Anemones healthy long-term by Robert (Bob) Fenner Anemone compatible     11/2/18 Good morning <Good morrow to you Richard> I am trying to find out if a LTA and flower or rock anemone are compatible. <They can be; given space/room around the two, propitious circumstances (food, light...) and determined, slow introduction (see WWM re Anemone Compatibility; the use of "quarantine" acclimation systems)> I have a 55 gallon tank 2yrs old. I already have the LTA and would like to add a flower anemone only if they are compatible. Any info would be of great help. Thanks v/r. <I'd hold the flower anemone in a separate system, add water from either system, mixing a bit (like a cup) every day for a few weeks for introduction; place the new one distal to the established. Bob Fenner> Re: Anemone compatible       11/3/18 Thanks for your fast response. Thanks v/r. <Certainly welcome. BobF> LTA eating fish?     8/13/12 Hello all, <Karen> Thanks again for such a fabulous site and all of your help. My family and I recently went on vacation and I neglected to feed my LTA before we left (we were gone for four days). It is host to a pair of maroon clowns who are pretty docile and spend most of their time tending it. All of the fish have lived together without incident for quite sometime. When we returned, my dotty back, starfish and flame hawk were missing and the lemon peel was dead and rotting in the opposite side of the tank from the LTA :( The blue damsel, green Chromis, mandarin goby and clowns were left and healthy. Needless to say, the water was gross. I did a 50% water change (thanks heaven I keep water premixed), cleaned the skimmer and changed the canister filter's charcoal packs. All of the equipment seemed to be working fine and temp was normal. The remaining fish are still healthy a week later. Is it possible the LTA ate the fish? <It is; yes... though these animals can dissolve quite quickly when dead> BTW, no one had access to the house to fish sit so the fish were not fed while we were gone. Thanks for your input. Karen <Welcome. Bob Fenner> Re: Long tentacle anemone - 5/9/2012

Hi there

wwm: Ewan

I have a question about the Majestic Angel with a Long Tentacle Anemone. Now that the angel is eating mysis, flakes, spirulina, and chopped shrimp, he is now bold and shows himself more. He also nips at the anemone as expected from previous posts.

wwm: Anemones and large Angelfish are an ill advised combination.

If I get a pair of Ocellaris to host the anemone, will that help the anemone?

wwm: Possibly, if the clowns are large/aggressive enough to fend off the Angel and if they take to the LTA. Ocellaris are not a natural symbiant of Macrodactyla doreensis. I would remove the Majestic until a pair of clowns are established in the anemone and defend it aggressively. The Majestic will likely kill the anemone if not removed in the meantime.

Will the angel and clown fight from your experience?

wwm: Not likely.

Thanks

wwm: Quite welcome.

Ewan

wwm: Jordan

All fish Under Stress - Anemone?/Macrodactyla doreensis/Compatibility 7/20/11 <<RMF>>
<Hello Aaron>
I recently acquired a small "long tentacle" anemone about 4" across when fully open. My clown immediately hosted in it. This morning I found a XL chromis and a Domino Damsel stuck in the anemone both dead. The chromis was partly digested. When I got home from work, my Yellow Tang was also stuck in the anemone and all the rest of the fish are breathing hard, staying towards the bottom and appear to be near death. What could be causing this?
<This is exactly why keeping fish other than anemone hosting species is not a good idea.>
are the anemone's digestive juices poisoning the other fish?
<Unlikely, my guess is the stressed fish got a poke.><<Or also too likely, there is a dire battle going on twixt the Actinarian and "corals"... Need to be acclimated to each other... gone over on WWM. RMF>>
The odds of an anemone catching 3 fish in the same day seem pretty low.
<Can, depending on tank size which you did not mention.>
The water quality is good and all corals and inverts are open and doing well.
<If the anemone decides to move, your corals will also be in danger.>
Any clues?
<Do an ammonia test and act if necessary. Bob may comment here as well.><<Return or separate this Anemone. RMF>>
Course of action?
<Best to keep anemones and clownfish in their own aquarium. I suggest taking the anemone back if possible, or find a new home for it.>
Much appreciated
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Aaron
More: re: All fish under stress - anemone?   7/20/11
Thanks for your input, Bob.
James
<Glad to be of assistance. B>
Re All fish Under Stress - Anemone?/Macrodactyla doreensis/Compatibility 7/20/11 <<RMF>>
Thanks.
<You're welcome.>
Its a 75 gallon tank. I've had anemones before without any issues but this one did position itself in the entrance to a cave the fish like to swim through.
<Is the risk you take. I've been down that road in the past and have lost fish to anemones.>
No ammonia. In the last 24 hours I've lost three 8 year old fish including a Yellow Tang and my original damsel from the cruel cycling process. (Btw Ill never cycle that way again and go a more humane route.)
<Have you read the dailies on our site today? Bob added his comments to this as well but he likely sent them along to you.
James (Salty Dog)><<Yes, I did/do. RMF>>

Clarkii Clown And LTA 5/16/10
Hello.
<Hello Jennifer>
Hopefully you can help us out. My husband and I recently started a saltwater aquarium, and love the new hobby. I purchased a Clarkii clown and a LTA at the local store yesterday. These two were together at the store and hoped it would be the same at home. The clown has still taken to the LTA at home, but the LTA hasn't had a chance to foot in the sand because the clown keeps bothering it. Does it or can it hurt the LTA if it doesn't foot somewhere? Any suggestions on helping it foot somewhere safe? Please help...
<Yes, it is best to allow the LTA to get a foothold before introducing a clownfish. The simplest way is to place an egg crate plastic divider in the tank separating the two until the LTA settles in.
The egg crate material is available at Home Depot or similar stores and can be found in the lighting
department. You may want read/learn about your LTA here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/macrodoreensis.htm>
thanks in advance.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>

Purple LT Anemone... poor env., incomp...    4/15/10
Hello!
<Hi Brandon>
Iv tried figuring this out on my own, but I have had the toughest time keeping my Purple Long Tentacle Anemone. Everything seems to be OK with it, it is sticky, mostly purple, base is vibrant orange, but I can't keep the thing still.
<It is not happy>
It doesn't seem to latch on to anything, All he seems to do is explore the tank, and almost always stays in a shady area. I call him Marco by the way, after the explorer :)
Here are my tank specs to the best I know to give :
(I wish I'd found this site before I made purchases)
<Ok>
29 Gallons (I know, small)
<Yes. Probably too small for one LTA. Impossible to keep two here>
Basic Lighting (Photosynthetic and Daylight)
<Not enough>
A good amount of rocks (15-20 pounds?)
<Probably too much if it is covering the sand>
3 Inch deep Sand Bed
<Too shallow>
1 Ocellaris Clown
1 Maroon Clown
<Not compatible. Better to swap this out for another Ocellaris>
1 Engineer Goby (He stays to himself)
<Not surprised with the Maroon in there>
(This is where you really yell at me)
<No yelling! Promise!>
1 newly obtained Hermit Crab (quite big) with a Calliactis attached to him
(This is how I found you guys, and I've learned that I'll be doing plenty of feeding)
<http://www.wetwebmedia.com/twaanemfdgfaqs.htm>
1 Long Tentacle Anemone
1 Purple Long Tentacle Anemone (Marco)
What can I do to make this guy stick to a nice spot?
<Nothing. He is doomed in this setting>
I feel like he is committing suicide when he holes up under a rock with no light. Do I just let him hole up wherever he likes even if there is no lighting and i cant see him?
<No, I would try to take him back to the shop. They should not have sold you this animal. Read here, they need at least a foot square space of sand each, with good lighting and a sand bed of at least 6 inches. Also, two together are not compatible unless they are clones, so one is also killing the other. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/macrodoreensis.htm >
Also, I drop frozen Mysis that I thaw out in water directly from the tank almost every day, and it seems like the Regular Anemone eats it, I haven't seen Marco (who has no host, for the life of me I don't know why the Maroon wont warm up to him) eat the Mysis (which is all I have, do i get something else?) even after the Mysis touching its tentacles.
<Feeding is not the main issue here'¦ the environment is. You make no mention of water quality either>
The regular Anemone has been there for about 2 months, Marco about 1 month, and I just added the Hermit today. Have I doomed someone along the way or can I fix this?
<You can fix this by.. removing one Anemone, providing 6 inches of live sand for the other.. removing the Maroon, improving your lighting.. and oh yeah'¦ these should not be placed in systems that have sand beds under a year old either.>
Maybe the Hermit would love our Florida beaches . . . : p
<Please don't release this animal into the wild.. this is appalling practice for many reasons>
Thank you for any reply :)
<No problem Brandon. I'm sorry I could not provide better news for you.>
Brandon
<Simon>
Re: Purple LT Anemone 4/16/10
<Hello Brandon>
First Off, Thank you so much Simon for helping me!
(Water quality seems to be fine by the way)
<No worries!>
I've decided I will get another tank, because I know the supplier won't help me. In fact I won't be helping them much anymore either!
<Mmm, this is a very common practice - mis-selling Anemones>
On another note, the regular Anemone is currently attached to a rock and loves it there (and is great for show). The current sand bed is 2 years old, has copepods, and tons of other micro-organisms (it is so fun to watch!)
<Great!>
From my understanding I need to add at least another 6 Inches and remove a few rocks.
<No, you need to add TO 6 inches. Since you have 3 already, this can be done an inch at a time, once every 6 weeks or so. There is plenty of guidance here & related http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dsbmaint.htm>
So would the best move be getting another tank and working from there or find someone to donate poor Marco to?
<Either/ or would be better than the current situation. I would have a larger tank with just the one Anemone if it was me>
The Manifest Destiny depends on Marco's survival.
<Yes, for sure! Expansion of the available territory IS required>
Also would it be best to move the Maroon into a new tank? I believe I can obtain a seasoned 35 Gallon tank from my girlfriend, who always has it running, but no much in there but rock.
<It is better to choose one species of Clown, OR another, and have a pair. If you have a bigger system then the larger and more aggressive Maroon would be fine. If you stick to the smaller system then you are better off with the Ocellaris>
And lastly, since the sand needs to be deeper, how do I go about putting it in when it would be younger than 1 year?
<Posted. An inch at a time>
The Hermit seems to be quite happy where he is :) I would never release him, only find a new home.
<Good to hear!>
Thanks again!
I'm glad I've found a place with seemingly all the answers
<Heee! Not necessarily all, but definitely 'some'. Simon>

LTA attacking Torch Coral? Usual lack of reading re comp.  1/7/10
Hi, the other day my LTA floated itself around the tank,
<Mmm, not good>
and ended up interlocking tentacles with my torch coral.
<Ohh>
since then, the anemone has seemed to settle down to one suitable spot. at first it looked like the anemone got the worst of it, but now seems just fine (even growing), but the portion of the torch coral that tangled with the LTA is definitely dying off. should I be worried about the other sections of torch coral in the colony, or will they be okay as long as they aren't bothered by the anemone? Thanks, Jay
<Not a good idea to mix Actinarians... as you can/could read on WWM. Too likely this situation will repeat in future. Both organisms have a great capacity at regeneration. See WWM re. Bob Fenner>
Re: LTA attacking Torch Coral? 1/7/10
Cool, I actually didn't find your website until I did a search on Electric Flame Scallops (very helpful). lets just say the malevolence of my LFS is apparent to me now.
<!?>
my wife is very attached to the LTA, so would it be terribly inhumane if I were to contain it under some sort of clear plastic basket or inside a hang-on quarantine box?
<Wouldn't work in any case... Perhaps her own new system...?>
oh as it seems the norm here this is what I'm running. 30 gal rectangular, 30 lbs of Fiji live rock, tom aquatics rp3 filter/skimmer (without the foam pad in the intake, it was holding to much decaying material in the tank),
<Good move>
Eheim 120v heater, Hydor Koralia 2 circulator, 24" Coralife t5 vho actinic/10,000 bulbs less than a month old, running a simple blue LED for moon lighting. water temp stays between 78-80 degrees. ph 8.4, ammo 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0, kH is a 12, calcium stays a little low at 380 ppm consistently,
<No problem>
0 phosphates. livestock is 1 torch coral, 1 green digitate Acropora, Christmas tree worm rock (arrived with glass anemone, waiting for Aiptasia-x in the mail), one long tentacle anemone, 1 clownfish, 1 electric flame scallop that I hope now to give the most compassionate existence to that I can (as the LFS said it wouldn't take it back unless it died within the two weeks I bought it, and I know nobody else to give it a better home), 7 electric blue hermit crabs, 4 turbo snails (two are VERY large), and a neat little conch that hitched a ride on the live rock. it might be a little apparent that I put a lot of trust in my LFS prior to finding this site.
I've only been doing this for 2 months, 3 if you count the month I let the tank sit with just live rock to cycle, so I wont let it get me down. thank for the help, Jay
<A pleasure to share with you Jay. Bob Fenner>

Re: Bubble Coral Split/Long-Tentacle Anemone Removal -- 10/22/2009 Thank you for your help! Justin and you, Bob, have been awesome. <Glad to assist!> My next question is what is "cleaving" and then, the next question has to do with another coral I have. <I'm fairly certain the 'cleaving' Bob referred to, would also be known as 'fragging' -- often these individual coral polyps on these types of LPS are broken down into individual branches, each with their own polyp... He was recommending not to do this, as they will grow largely as one unit if uninhibited. Do correct me if I'm wrong here, Bob!><<This is what I intended. RMF>> My Pagoda coral is about 9" across now, and I would like to make it smaller. How do you recommend going about that? <Typically done with a diamond cutting blade attached to a Dremel or similar device -- just work slow.> Last, but not least (sorry for the 3 part question), my anemone (whose photo I've enclosed) has outgrown my aquarium. He is a Long Tentacle Anemone I bought 1.5 years ago as a 2" specimen. (The clownfish in the photo was only around 1" long and the Coris Wrasse, about 2" long...Okay, I have to just put this in here...that male clownfish turned into a gold barred maroon this year. They both took 3 years turn colors and she's about 4" long now and bites. ). I have included both photos so you can see the incredible amount of growth over a year and half of my Long Tentacle Anemone. His rate is around 1" monthly. The problem is, if you notice, he's outgrown his environment and I am afraid he will begin stinging corals. I can't get him loose. I tried to move him to his own aquarium, but I can't seem to get him to come loose, even using a big soup spoon. He's approximately 18" tall when he's floofing in my tank. <Allelopathy is a very real possibility here -- I have read varying methods for removing such anemones (or at least getting them to loosen their grip a bit) by using somewhat direct flow from a powerhead, as well as some ice against the glass where its foot is resting -- do be careful with the ice suggestion, if the temperature differential is too high, the glass could potentially crack.> Thank you in advance for your very welcome and knowledgeable expertise. Bonnie <Glad to provide it! -JustinN>

And Then There Were Six, Chromis beh.  6/25/09
Hi Crew,
<Darryl>
I recently added 7 small (3/4 inch) Chromis Viridis to my reef tank.
Then, on their second day of residence, I watched my LTA consume one.
<What they do>
He was still breathing, very slowly, as he went down. I figured that was the stupid one. ;-) Now I'm finding that the Chromis are sleeping with the LTA at night.
<Also natural... associate with stinging celled life to avoid fish predation>
Often as many as four of them in there among the tentacles. Is this common/normal/safe behavior?
<Normal yes, safe, no... Would "hang" in and about an arborose stony (likely an Acropora sp., perhaps a Pocillopora...) if you had one present>
They've plenty of nooks in the LR that they're eschewing. Maybe they know about the Stomatopod and figure the anemone is the lesser evil.
<Mmmm>
I've tried to get that darn mantis out. Traps have failed, hyposaline dips have failed. My LFS suggested leaving the rock out to dry for a couple hours, but that seems unlikely to work, in my opinion, and his
lair has some nice Porites sp. that I'd like to keep if possible. He's rather small, sub-one-inch and so far and hasn't wrought so much havoc. He walloped some hitchhiker Xanthids, but who's complaining.
I'm hoping that as he gets bigger he'll get hungrier for bait I periodically leave out.
<Ok>
I know, now, that the LTA wasn't the wisest addition. Purple tentacles, green and fluorescent green oral disk, about 6 inches across (on average), bright orange base. But I've noticed that he never quite closes his mouth. It's usually open about a centimeter. Is this gaping?
<Not necessarily>
He seems otherwise happy, hasn't moved since I buried him in the gravel, stands up at night and flattens out during the day. I'm a bit worried about allelopathy with the Euphyllias, Faviidae, Zoanthids, and Sinularia in there.
<Worth consideration...>
Thanks in advance,
Darryl
<Bob Fenner>
Re: And Then There Were Six 6/27/09
Hi Bob,
<Darryl>
Thanks for your input...
<Welcome>
It seems that the chromis had the last laugh. The anemone coughed out what was left of the fish as a whitish ball the following morning but not before busting its gut, so to speak.
<How they... egest>
I've noticed looks like a tear along the column with a small amount of what appears to be mesenterial filaments bulging out. I'm entirely not sure what to make of this, but I've read ( on WWM ) that there's a good chance that this will heal within a few weeks.
<Yes>
I'm a bit hesitant to remove it
<I would not>
to a hospital tank in this condition for fear of causing more damage. The water parameters all appear normal/unchanged: SG = 1.023,
<I'd raise...>
pH = 8.2,
NH4 = 0, N02 = 0 NO3 = 5 mg/l, Ca = 450 mg/l.
<A bit too high... what is your Alk, dKH?>
The nem's behavior hasn't changed and there's no apparent necrosis. So I've got my fingers crossed.
I have a couple other concerns. The Ctenochaetus strigosus has come to regard the nem as its toilet.
<Not unnaturally>
It repeatedly defecates on the anemone, which doesn't seem to mind/react, but this leaves a large pile of poo on the surrounding substrate that I have to very carefully vacuum out.
<Many anemone species... make a good part of their nutritional base thus>
Might an Anemonefish prevent this by keeping the surgeon at bay and/or cleaning up the area around the anemone?
<Mmm, yes>
Not to mention keeping the chromis away. I've read ( WWM, again ;-) that they often do more harm than good but I'm wondering if this is a special case....
Finally, The shifting from my vacuuming has caused the nem to "float" to the surface of the substrate. It's still holding on but it's only got a grip on the surface grains and I'm afraid it will fall over when it stands up. The nem has never been willing and/or able to sink itself into the substrate, which is a coarse-ish crushed coral.
<Mmm, maybe put a semi-flat smooth-ish rock underneath>
The grain size varies from 1/8" to 3/8" with similarly sized shells mixed in. Should I try to dig a hole all the way down ( about 3" ) so it can get a good grip on the glass?
<... the rock>
Alternatively, I've considered taking a small polyethylene tub ( the ones that CD ROMS come in ), setting the nem in that, and sinking it into the gravel filled with soft fine oolitic aragonite. Alas, I learned too late about the disadvantages of crushed coral.
Darryl
PS - Lighting = 4 x 39W 36" T5 HO. (2 6500K, 2 actinic). Water Depth = 12" Is this too weak, marginal, or ok for the nem?
<S/b fine>
I'm thinking marginal as it seems happy. It has never moved from where I put him a month ago. There's no apparent bleaching, but admittedly I have no idea how long it would take to show symptoms.
<Most captive systems are over and inappropriately illuminated intensity wise... Bob Fenner>

Anemone Spawning Event -- 4/24/08 Good day to you and everyone who reads this. <Hello, Brenda here!> This was a first for me, I came home from work to find my LTA normally the size of a dinner plate down to the size of a cup saucer but standing up a good 10 inches with the tentacle's tight and curly. The mouth was out about half an inch to three quarters of an inch with white "smoke" coming out no pun intended. This lasted for about three to four hours as it slowly went down in size. My 72g tank now looks very milky and the skimmer has stopped working (just like when oils from your hand get to it). So I guess my question is: Is this sperm and what is the best way to clear my water without over doing a water change? <Yep, your anemone spawned! You need to do a large water change, no other way unfortunately. I also recommend running some fresh carbon. I would do this as soon as possible. Keep an eye on everything, and be prepared for more water changes. Good luck! Brenda>

Was Hair algae invasion, now Relocating LTA - 3/15/07 Alex (or whoever we are fortunate enough to get): <Hi Michael and Dianne, you got Alex again tonight'¦> Thanks for the recent answers about our long-haired algae invasion.  We are planning to spend this Sunday cleaning ALL the rock in the 120 with a toothbrush and, while we're at it, rearrange everything. Part of this process involves dismantling our 12-gallon nano (we prefer to give our attention to the larger tank). Since we have three clarkiis in the 120, we returned to our LFS the two small clownfish, and since we have two lawnmower blennies in the 120, we returned our algae blenny. Very sad to have to return fish we've come to enjoy watching, but preferable to seeing them die. <That is sad.  But the right thing to do.> Anyway, that leaves us with one question. Our nano has a very healthy, very happy LTA living in it. When he's wide open, he's about six inches in diameter. We are not thrilled with the idea of putting an anemone into the 120. <No'¦> However, we have a clarkii living in our Goniopora (and we are afraid he will eventually kill it). Perhaps having an anemone will encourage him to move to a more appropriate home. (Although it is kind of cute to watch him in the morning sleeping with his head on the closed-up coral like it was a pillow.) <Awww'¦> But are we making a bad decision? Should we return the LTA to the LFS instead of moving him into our reef tank? (We listed the contents of our tank in the long-haired algae communication.) <Unfortunately, it would not be a good idea to add an LTA to the reef tank.  Corals and anemones are a volatile mix in the confines of an aquarium.  Read here and linked files at top of page: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ltacompfaqs.htm If you are still considering getting out of the coral side of things, you could keep the LTA in the large tank, but not with the corals.  Otherwise it should go back to the LFS also if you do not want to keep another tank.> Thanks for helping us keep our tank safe and healthy for our adopted occupants! <Sincerely hoping we can help'¦ Alex> Michael and Dianne

Toadstool sys., Percula/anemone hosting 12/18/06 Hey everyone! <Greetings, Mich here.> Sorry if I ask too meany <many?> questions.  <little, nasty, or number?  I'm guessing you mean number.> I know you are busy! <How did you know?> But who else am I going to go to?...The LFS...? <Hehehe ...there are some good ones out there.>      I have an LTA. I was wandering how rare it is for p. clowns to host these? <In the wild only four species of clownfish are typically observed with this anemone, the Percula Clowns (Amphiprion percula) is not one of them.  However in an artificial environment, artificial things happen.>   I also have a green toadstool. I know, shouldn't be together. It came on a VERY small pc of rock. Too small to weight it down upright, and too small to wedge into the live rock without hurting the coral itself. I've tried super glue gel. Didn't work so well. <Yes, I have experienced this frustration also.> So I resorted to a rubber band (natural color). <Good solution!> Will there be any trouble with this being in the system? <No.  This should not cause problems.  The rubber band will dissolve with time.> Hopefully it works for a while! <It should.> The poor thing probably has fallen 5 times in a month! <and can't get up!> It is pretty secure now though. <Did it get Life Alert?> Thanks so much for your help! <You are quite welcome.> By the way, the clownfish anemone page on the chat forum isn't working! <Oh, thank you for this, will notify.> <<On WWF? On WWM; what is the URL? RMF> Keep up the good work! <We'll do our best!> Hope to meet you all one day! <It's always nice to put a face with a name.  Remember aquarium conferences are fun!  -Mich>

Anemone/LTA - 2/28/2006 Hello, <Hello Chris>  I've got an LTA that is doing excellent in my tank (anchored in the sand at the front of the tank), and is hosting two skunk clowns who love it.  I've had no problems with it and the other corals in my tank, but I've noticed it is growing huge and is getting near my Fiji leather (not touching yet).  Recently,  I read on WWM that keeping anemones in a reef tank is a bad idea, <Yes> and that it is unnatural as they are not found in the same areas of the reef.  If it's one or the other, I'd rather have the reef (an authentic one at that), so should I remove the LTA and will the clowns be affected by the sudden removal of their home? <I would remove the anemone.  It will just be a matter of time before your corals are stung.  Anemones are not necessary for clowns to survive and will do fine without one.> Are clowns found naturally in the reef, without their anemone hosts? <No> Thanks, <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)> Chris Stevens

Reef And LTA...Not A Good Mix - 11/25/05 Good Afternoon, <<Good Morning>> I would like to buy a LTA for my 55 gallon reef, I have been looking up info for about a month now. <<Then you should have discovered these animals are best kept in species specific tanks, not reef tanks.>> Would it be alright to keep it with a Yellow Tang, Maroon Clown, Shrimp Gobi, Plate Coral, Red Mushrooms, Green Mushroom, Cabbage Coral, Yellow Polyps, Gigas Clam, Needle Algae, 2 power heads, Sea Clone 100 protein skimmer , Magnum 350 canister filter, 20 lbs. live rock, and 45 lbs live sand? <<Not in my opinion.  You should not be mixing a motile anemone with sessile invertebrates...the anemone can/will do much damage if/when it goes walkabout.  If you are serious about keeping one of the animals for the long term, do some research as to proper care and set up a tank just for the LTA.>> And I have a Condy anemone would it be possible to keep a LTA with it if not I will put in my other 20 gallon tank. <<The Condylactis anemone should not be in the reef tank either...and it definitely should not be mixed with the LTA.  EricR>>

Clowns and my LTA Hey Bob!  Dude from Miami again!  How are you bro? <Fine, thanks> Sorry, got another question for ya - I just put in my new LTA (see pic) last night and he/she is doing terrific!  (Pleasant surprise!)  Anyway, my question is:  Will my Nemo (Amphiprion ocellaris) hang with this LTA and form a relationship? <Mmm, a good possibility, though these two species are not found in natural association in the wild> I know its only been one day, and it will take time, but I'm wondering what the chances are of them hooking up.  (Nemo seems mostly interested in eating and looking cute)  And, if not, can I get a second, different type of clown that will go to the LTA, and if I can, which type of clown would be my best choice? <Yes... please take a look at the compatibility chart here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm>   I've read through your FAQ's and articles on clowns, but still a little uncertain.  Will a second clown compete with Nemo, or try to kill him? <A possibility... how big is this system? If more than sixty gallons, you've got more than a 50:50 chance they'll "get along"> Or will they sex off and maybe even share the Anenome if the second one is bigger than Nemo (Nemo's quite small)? <Very unlikely> I know lots of questions/details - sorry, but I trust your opinion(s), not really anyone else's! Thanks again for all your help and the ultimate site. Dude <Be chatting. Bob Fenner>
Re: Clowns and my LTA Thanks for the response Bob!  Yeah, I have just a 55 gallon with Ecosystem filtration.  I figure a saddleback clown would be my best bet for a second, but I've also read on your FAQ's that Clarkiis go to the LTA as well. Another possibility I guess would be to get another slightly larger Nemo to pair them up, since you said its a good possibility that the ocellaris will hook up with the LTA despite not being naturally assc'd in the wild............. Thanks so much again Bob for all your help!! Dude <Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Anemone troubles, induced Hey Guys. <John> Just wondering if is possible to put a Long Tentacle Anemone in the same (30gal) tank as a Condylactis anemone? <Not a good idea> also, I was wondering why my LTA appears buried in the sand all day and then when the light go's out, he curls up and comes completely out so that you can see his orange base (foot?) and doesn't bury in the sand again until the light go's back on in the morning? <Trouble... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm scroll down to the index on Anemones... READ> Thanks!   (how do I see a response to this email?) J.F. <We respond directly to all, as well as post on WWM. Bob Fenner>

LTA symbiotic relationship question I have just witnessed my Long Tentacle Anemone doing something I didn't know they did. While it was lying on a Live rock, the center of it started to enlarge (around the mouth area, when it enlarged, it was white in color (mouth area) and it looked like it had opened its mouth and leaned over to the rock and out of it's mouth came a small creature ( about the size of a Japanese beetle but with a small tail and it was as if it had a curtain around it so you couldn't see legs. It slowly moved out of the mouth and crawled up on the live rock and went into a hole in the rock. The anemone slowly raised back up and shrank in size for bout an hour. Like it had a baby or something. I haven't seen the small creature since. The anemone seems to be doing fine though. I was wondering what your thoughts were? Saltwatered in PA <There are many commensal to mutualistic organisms that live in concert with these animals... you likely saw a crustacean one. Bob Fenner>

Long Tentacled Anemone/s I have two long tentacled anemone, one which has settled in nicely. The other though is puzzling. I turned off one of my powerheads (2 in a 45 gal tank). The anemone shriveled up and my husband said it was dying. I turned on the powerhead again and it came back to life. I guess it prefers the powerhead.  Today I added some items to the tank, 5 shaving brushes, one coral beauty two horseshoe crabs (very small) and two curly q anemones, and a pencil urchin.  <Trouble... anemones are not easily kept in home-hobbyist settings... two LTA's are not compatible... mixing in the other species, disastrous> Now the anemone that played dead the other day is just floating around the tank. I have tried to get it settled, but it refuses to attach to anything and keeps floating around. It looks to be in good health, the tentacles are full with purple tips. Any ideas?  <Plenty. The U.S. should stop invading sovereign nations and realize that commerce is "king", people should turn off their teevees and exercise a great deal more. Oh, you mean re your circumstances? Yes, read... on WWM re Anemones, their systems, compatibility. Start here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm.  Read, act, now! Bob Fenner> <<Time for an editorial page!>><Heeeee! RMF>
Re: Long Tentacled Anemone/s I moved the curly q anemones and the long tentacled anemone settled down on the tank floor once again and has blossomed. I guess it just didn't like the new anemones. If push comes to shove, I'll move some to another tank. Thanks for your help. <Sounds good> By the way, I cannot do without CSI in any of its forms or Law and Order.  <Am changing my name to Bob Bruckheimer> Other than that the TV can sit dormant. As for attacking other nations, well, someone has to play nice and since people are too stupid to do that, well, the bigger of them has to be the peacemaker.. . . . <You will never make people free, create peace by murdering peoples families and children. Bob Fenner> 

Evolution, the Conversation Evolves Ok, phasing from politics to religion. . . . .people will never be free, from the beginning some were not free. <Define "freedom"> And, since we are in the last "days", these things must happen. We (Christians) know this and are ok with it. After all, it has been decided. . . by a higher power than any of us here on earth. So get on the ride, strap yourself in, and get ready, it's going to be a bumpy one!  <Heeee Heeee! I put invisible friends like the Easter Bunny and Santy Claus in the same box. Good luck, life to you. BobF>