Looking for Suggestions - Unusual/Pest Nems for a Nano Tank

[bradleym]

So the background is that I have just set up a 3g Picotope at my work. I have a serious interest in anemones and collect every kind I find, ESPECIALLY if it's a random hitchhiker that noone is familiar with. As a result I am going to be putting these kind of things in my 3g.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xtw5S9BTPiY/UPmuveTPpHI/AAAAAAAACXE/Z9C7_FYrBCw/s800/IMG-20130118-03916.jpg

So far I only have 2 in there:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NmwANblQKr4/UPmulAMQLxI/AAAAAAAACW0/O6uZUvuTfZY/s640/IMG-20130118-03915.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1T7jfSQWjHc/UPmuW7HeNJI/AAAAAAAACWU/b3t8SL645v0/s640/IMG-20130116-03907.jpg

I will also have a maxi mini carpet, an all red mini carpet, and (if I ever find one again) a green mini carpet (considered a pest by some). I don't wan't majanos, mostly cuz they end being too much green for one tank, and aiptasia is ugly IMO :thumbdown but otherwise I am open to ideas, and if you guys have some, I'm all ears!

Small nems are best, obviously, but if you know of a wierd pest or something that could look cool I want to hear about it. Thanks!

[velvetelvis]

One LFS in my area periodically has to trim down its collection of hellfire anemones that hitchhike in on imported live rock. They're probably hardy as all git-out and worthy of their own display...not sure if they'd play nice with other nems, though (or with aquarists doing tank maintenance)!

I like your idea. I already have a BTA tank and recently converted my FW 50G into a planted tank/maxi-mini garden. My next dream, after seeing coldwater nems at the Monterey Aquarium, is to someday have a coldwater anemone tank. :D

[OrionN]

I suggest one of these. They are beautiful and they do reproduce in captivity but to the pest level. I bought one for 20 dollars 10 years ago and now I have about 20 in my 24 g tank.
They get to about 2-3 inches or so and split. They split horizontally. The foot become one small anemone while the top pinch off and re attach to form another,

[accordsirh22]

rock/flower anemones. small and cheap

[velvetelvis]

Probably not suited to the same system as your current livestock, since they're a coldwater/temperate species, but I like these (http://australianmuseum.net.au/Waratah-Anemone) pretty little anemones. I've seen them offered on a couple of vendors' sites.

[bradleym]

One LFS in my area periodically has to trim down its collection of hellfire anemones that hitchhike in on imported live rock. They're probably hardy as all git-out and worthy of their own display...not sure if they'd play nice with other nems, though (or with aquarists doing tank maintenance)!

I never thought of them as a hitchhiker! That would be pretty cool if I got a small one. Thanks for the new idea! Now I just gotta find one, lol.

[bradleym]

I suggest one of these. They are beautiful and they do reproduce in captivity but to the pest level. I bought one for 20 dollars 10 years ago and now I have about 20 in my 24 g tank.
They get to about 2-3 inches or so and split. They split horizontally. The foot become one small anemone while the top pinch off and re attach to form another,

Very good idea too! I actually have 2 in my home tank, but they haven't split yet. I wasn't sure if they did, but now I'll start watching for a new one to take. Thanks!

[bradleym]

rock/flower anemones. small and cheap

They get about 6-8 inches, but if I got a small one that's pretty colorful, I bet I could fit it, lol. Thanks for the suggestion!

[bradleym]

Probably not suited to the same system as your current livestock, since they're a coldwater/temperate species, but I like these (http://australianmuseum.net.au/Waratah-Anemone) pretty little anemones. I've seen them offered on a couple of vendors' sites.

Oh man I wish! The tank sits at 76f. I think that's too hot, right?

[velvetelvis]

I will also have a maxi mini carpet, an all red mini carpet, and (if I ever find one again) a green mini carpet (considered a pest by some).

Not sure if this is the exact morph you're looking for, but Tidal Gardens has a nice green maxi-mini (http://www.tidalgardens.com/pages/coral/haddoni.html). I bought a blue maxi-mini from Than that is beautiful and doing really well.

[velvetelvis]

Oh man I wish! The tank sits at 76f. I think that's too hot, right?

Yeah, the temp range I've seen given for coldwater/temperate critters is 55F-60F. On the other hand, that gives you an excuse to set up another anemone tank... ;)

[bradleym]

Not sure if this is the exact morph you're looking for, but Tidal Gardens has a nice green maxi-mini (http://www.tidalgardens.com/pages/coral/haddoni.html). I bought a blue maxi-mini from Than that is beautiful and doing really well.

I... actually bought that exact one, and a blue one as well, about a year back from them! But I am actually looking for a smaller carpet, kinda purple/green mixed, and only gets about 3 inches. They split almost monthly when healthy. Unfortunately I traded all mine when I broke my tank down and can't find any more. :(

[AquaticEngineer]

If you go coldwater there are lot of different anemones available now like these ones:
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/aggregating_anemone_medium.jpg?41
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/green_surge_anemone_medium.jpg?41
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/painted_anemone_medium.jpg?41
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/strawberry_anemone_medium.jpg?41
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/actinia_fragacea_medium.jpg?41

[AquaticEngineer]

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/Actinia_equina_-_green_coloration_medium.jpg?41

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/bunodactis_verrucosa_medium.jpg?41

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/Corynactis_1_medium.jpg?41

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/Moonglow_Anemone_Orange_1_medium.jpg?41

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/actinia_equina_2_medium.jpg?41

[AquaticEngineer]

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/anemonia_viridis_medium.jpg?41

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/metridium_senile_plumose_medium.jpg?41

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0151/2679/products/WaratahAnemone_medium.jpg?41

[bradleym]

Interesting! Do you have sources for those species? I've only found the actinia equina and actinia tenebrosa. If I could find a few more species it might be worth buying a chiller.

[velvetelvis]

There's a site called Coldwater Marine Aquatics--they sell all the nems I saw at the Monterey Aquarium (and a species I saw in a tidepool there too). I have drooled over their anemone selection ever since...someday...

[AquaticEngineer]

Interesting! Do you have sources for those species? I've only found the actinia equina and actinia tenebrosa. If I could find a few more species it might be worth buying a chiller.

Yup, every single one of them :)

There's a site called Coldwater Marine Aquatics--they sell all the nems I saw at the Monterey Aquarium (and a species I saw in a tidepool there too). I have drooled over their anemone selection ever since...someday...

That's it :)

[bradleym]

Thanks guys! I think I'm gonna stick with tropical species for the time being. I'll be drooling over there too, but first I gotta learn how to keep a coldwater system healthy. :reading: After I get the gist of that, I may just go for another tank.

[Chihuahua6]

I had two of these and one split to three so I had four. They're very sticky. I thought they were cool until one detached during tank maintanance and got stuck on my finger. I quickly shook it off and continued cleaning my tank. 1/2 hour later my finger was red, burning and itchy. It swelled up a little too. This lasted for several days. After experiencing that I removed and disposed of them.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq86/AmandaChihuahua/2012-08-27_16-16-03_854-1.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq86/AmandaChihuahua/2012-08-27_16-15-42_409-1.jpg

[bradleym]

Aw man! :(

Thalassianthus Aster, one of the only pest anemones I can't seem to find. And I've been looking. I remember when you got an ID on here not long ago. Sorry to hear they didn't work out. But GREAT suggestion!! If I find some I'll be sure to add them. Thanks! :thumbsup:

[Chihuahua6]

I thought they were cool too until they hurt me ; ) I think you were the one who showed interest on my other thread? I had thought about giving them away but it didn't seem worth shipping in the middle of the winter. There might be some hope though. My boyfriend had one too that also split. He got rid of his but one disappeared in his tank. If it ever shows up I can give it to you. Just send me a pm so I remember.

[bradleym]

Yea that was me. Nothing gets me excited like a nem that you don't see every day. Strange hitchhikers always make my day. :) PM sent.

[FishNutty]

Cool idea for a tank! What about tube nems? Not a hitchhiker, but also not really mainstream...

[bradleym]

I like tube nems (btw not actually nems!) and had 2 in my last tank, and have one pink one in my current tank. The downside - those buggers max out at almost 2 feet when fed right!! Since my work tank is only 8x12, I don't think that'll go well, and I don't feel right starving one to keep it tiny. Thanks though!

[bradleym]

Just tossing out some of the nems I am thinking of adding. I have a few in my home tank that aren't being appreciated; some due to bad placement, some due to a lack of time on my part.

Red mini carpet. This guy recently split into 3, so one is headed to my work tank. They max out at about 2 inches, so he'll fit right in.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zqOCh27xwJI/UQlLpKprf_I/AAAAAAAACYc/rQqkK0JAfwk/s640/IMG-20121007-02886.jpg

Red beadlet anemone. Although typically these are not tropical, this one has been with me for 3+ years in my tropical reef tank. It is non-photosyntetic, but has done well with minimal feedings, so a weekly mysis or two should be enough to get him by.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EkZIfRaatHo/UQlMSGJxyuI/AAAAAAAACZ0/P-I7Wye24K4/s640/IMG-20130130-04047.jpg

Green rock anemone. Formerly a good solid green, he was displaced by GSP, and I assumed dead. Recently he resurfaced white as a ghost and smaller than a palythoa. Since then, I have been feeding him and have relocated him to the sump so I don't lose him again. His color is improving, and he has doubled in size.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-de4Y9shBZeQ/UQlMW3MhmMI/AAAAAAAACaQ/hZ08sCC2fPo/s640/IMG-20130130-04051.jpg

Green BTA. This one had to be removed from my display and placed in the sump. It has been sadly mistreated and deserves a better life, so it is going to work with me, where it will receive good light, flow, and food.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kWSl1MFJk2k/UQlMWl2LGGI/AAAAAAAACaM/-mlU7Mk6bBE/s640/IMG-20130130-04052.jpg

Blue maxi mini. This one came from my 1.5g cube, and is currently in my sump also. He, as well as some of the corals shown, will be coming back to work also.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yhRoQc2U8GA/UQlOiJABbcI/AAAAAAAACa0/nFOqkNjFLiI/s640/Maxi%2520Minib.jpg

All of these anemones can easily be taken home again if they don't fare well, but hopefully, they will thrive in my pico.

[bradleym]

Not sure if this is the exact morph you're looking for, but Tidal Gardens has a nice green maxi-mini (http://www.tidalgardens.com/pages/coral/haddoni.html). I bought a blue maxi-mini from Than that is beautiful and doing really well.

I found a pic of the ones I used to have. Cool little buggers, and split about once every other month, like the red one in my last post.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-thFzLnAYbKQ/UQln-R1fj2I/AAAAAAAACbE/R0vWH1QTHyw/s640/Picture001.jpg

[bradleym]

I added some things to my tank!

So far I got...

a GBTA
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9jN_nD-j4GE/USLy_sPMKZI/AAAAAAAACbk/vdwqB8k11mY/s640/1.jpg

a blue Maxi Mini Carpet
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yKLBLaC4KwM/USLzBfWW1tI/AAAAAAAACbs/IlDOAQ0dHM4/s640/2.jpg

a purple mushroom
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VO3NL2xnvhQ/USLzDSP1vJI/AAAAAAAACb0/zTdwulvzpeE/s640/3.jpg

and some nuclear green and purple death palys
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jAyOQabBbTs/USLzGOmN8vI/AAAAAAAACb8/SPkazrfnT1Y/s640/4.jpg

which are being guarded by a T-Rex :lmao:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ytfzRIIhxPo/USLzJ3ilXWI/AAAAAAAACcY/9-H1RxS7Mc4/s640/5.jpg


So far that's it, but more to come for sure!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ir-3Gb2Dapc/USLzHt1qnjI/AAAAAAAACcI/hdOYiI181cY/s640/6.jpg

Oh yea,and my chaeto is going nuts in here! I wish it grew like this at home.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bFccHxnxbMM/USLzJby3B8I/AAAAAAAACcQ/KAZVWUx6N1Y/s640/7.jpg

[velvetelvis]

Looks good! I started out keeping my maxi-minis in a nano, but as I became more anemone-crazed I ran out of room. I ended up converting my 50G FW setup into a dedicated maxi-mini/macro tank. It's a good thing they actually seem to prefer (so to speak) being packed in together--I'm up to 11 different colors and counting. :D

[bradleym]

Time for an update! I've added a good pile of stuff, and I'm almost out of room already. BTW, much thanks to Salty Underground. They sell stuff online, but since they are local for me, the owner lets me come look around sometimes. Since she breeds Berghia, she has HUGE pest tanks, and yeah, that was fun!

So let's see, what's new...

Well, the old nems are really loving this tank. Both much improved!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_BBDF8vznxU/UTbRqYpORTI/AAAAAAAACnc/xfPVLvMGPd4/s800/old2.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y3__H5uRWfI/UTbRrIP3rxI/AAAAAAAACno/0EAsCtB_gAk/s800/old1.jpg
and this guy even split
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ihpl2WtC90s/UTbRrNV9r4I/AAAAAAAACns/Tdn-44QFO4Y/s800/old3.jpg

I built up my ATO float switch after a snail took it for a joyride and flooded my desk
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0Fgroj-xxH4/UTbRmh_I6tI/AAAAAAAACmw/jYbXbEUpOKA/s800/fix2.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CF9nXQI5a7o/UTbRkNWbDOI/AAAAAAAACmM/3mUgMpPlLXA/s800/fix1.jpg

And I added some corals
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KjyTe7PxOQ4/UTbRnHhNzMI/AAAAAAAACm0/1ge8eqheHw0/s800/frag5.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sj7Sk-Qsv8A/UTbRl0XixPI/AAAAAAAACmk/dy02LHf8P50/s800/frag4.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qAHULxyI6f0/UTbRl17sUlI/AAAAAAAACmg/fMw3TeObsNM/s800/frag3.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j8iBYoVNQuI/UTbRklPDn8I/AAAAAAAACmU/2dm9Dwn5p_0/s800/frag2.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B-tSgFskf04/UTbRjRy1h_I/AAAAAAAACmE/b0PZYbIUWD4/s800/frag1.jpg

[bradleym]

Then, of course the new nems!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-S-r9dqRCDV0/UTbRo-fr4-I/AAAAAAAACnM/VBUBeX90k_A/s800/new3.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pMpU5iKKdaE/UTbRnrIC1aI/AAAAAAAACm8/BCzU_KBH1n8/s800/new1.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x5Ro45F2rao/UTbRonC5uNI/AAAAAAAACnE/Wrefx_RVCZs/s800/new2.jpg
And the snail that ruined my day
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vXFcDvrskMM/UTbRpWcoyGI/AAAAAAAACnU/IlhzhLpEUHI/s800/new4.jpg

Here's the tank now. As you can see, I mised some of the ones I wanted. If I ever find them, I may remove some coral to move them in, but this is all I got so far.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G_l-F8BiDuY/UTbRtqV8bAI/AAAAAAAACn0/ogqXDdHhq_g/s800/tank1.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u7-fXTzCNro/UTbRvMoTjxI/AAAAAAAACn8/Xn4n2AYaKVg/s800/tank2.jpg

Thanks for looking!

[velvetelvis]

bradleym, have you seen this book (http:/http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0866225390/)? I just got it Monday. It's been a hectic week at work so I haven't sat down and read it cover to cover yet, but it includes profiles of all sorts of non-clownfish-hosting species that we don't usually see stateside. :reading:

[bradleym]

bradleym, have you seen this book (http:/http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0866225390/)? I just got it Monday. It's been a hectic week at work so I haven't sat down and read it cover to cover yet, but it includes profiles of all sorts of non-clownfish-hosting species that we don't usually see stateside. :reading:

The link doesn't take me anywhere.. :(

It sounds like a good read though.

[bradleym]

NM I figured it out. :)

I think I might have to order me a copy, especially if a used one is only $4. Thanks for the tip!

[velvetelvis]

Saw these (http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?did=11&pid=17410&cid=354) and instantly thought of you. They're out for now, but you can go on a waiting list...

[bradleym]

Haha I'm 2 steps ahead of you. I got one from this store for my 210g at home.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2270111

They get 10 inches across and dig into the sand. The scientific name is Heteractis Aurora.

[velvetelvis]

:lol:

You got me. I've never seen H. aurora before. I'm still a newbie in the world of nems. ;)

I think those will host clarkii, but only the juveniles...am I right?

[Postal]

I got this guy from the LFS after it came in as a hitchhiker, but it's not going anywhere.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/postal33610/40%20Breeder%20-%2025%20Cube%20-%2040%20Breeder%20Setup/Telmatactis.jpg

[bradleym]

Nice telmatactis anemone! I have one in there (2nd pic in post 31) but it's nowhere near as nice. That pattern and color on the oral disc is very nice!

[bradleym]

The tank has changed a bit, so I thought I'd post an update:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ueg-aFk0wgs/Ua-k2doB0zI/AAAAAAAAC74/DULwaLP9uqk/s800/IMAG0669.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VnMi3dwMFLE/Ua-k4xSLrgI/AAAAAAAAC8A/j3ILmcih_dw/s800/IMAG0676.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yH72ac06nZM/Ua-kePZX4SI/AAAAAAAAC7k/FUvRirFgvl8/s800/IMAG0668.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T0CDCm95XEk/Ua-kegV1eqI/AAAAAAAAC7o/2Cuzuc8QMKU/s800/IMAG0670.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PUs1YZKuEIc/Ua-kFVPCeeI/AAAAAAAAC7M/-cQbOWCxbRk/s800/IMAG0667.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cNB1uHZ8Zfk/Ua-kGTlu1YI/AAAAAAAAC7U/FrsZs7ol_B4/s800/IMAG0660.jpg
I added a Frilly Phymanthus from my home tank:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QW_62I7iKEI/Ua-kuwevF_I/AAAAAAAAC7w/5efxMYijl3g/s800/IMAG0675.jpg
Finally got the mini carpet, thanks to The Corner Reef over in Illinois:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rbzAA4nPA-g/Ua-j1X-x7cI/AAAAAAAAC7A/_TI_ZfdFmBI/s800/IMAG0664.jpg
And I'm loving my little Thalassianthus Aster from Saltwater Island:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UVXuh7-TpP8/Ua-kHEdzBvI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/nObDqntkKAk/s800/IMAG0659.jpg

[bradleym]

Couple new pics. Adjusted for color accuracy.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yJCyNYQuYeQ/Ubnt711k9uI/AAAAAAAAC84/4jBDIoPm0rg/s800/IMAG0731.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-987UFbL-Gsk/UbnttKwzYMI/AAAAAAAAC8o/oR1vUaS00lA/s800/IMAG0775_1_1.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fPxxu-zLWrY/UbntnFArG-I/AAAAAAAAC8g/l4pvHbnBRk0/s800/IMAG0716.jpg

[cichlidconvert]

Is that second pic of snakelock nem? Your tank is looking great and I love the concept. I've been putting together an 8 gallon desktop Coldwater tank for a coworker. It has red and green beadlets, aggregating, green surf, painted nems, mini orange and white plumous nems in an 8 gallon. I love nems and especially love tanks with diverse nem populations. Bravo sir:)

[bradleym]

Is that second pic of snakelock nem? Your tank is looking great and I love the concept. I've been putting together an 8 gallon desktop Coldwater tank for a coworker. It has red and green beadlets, aggregating, green surf, painted nems, mini orange and white plumous nems in an 8 gallon. I love nems and especially love tanks with diverse nem populations. Bravo sir:)

Unfortunately, it is only a lowly tulip anemone, a variety of majano. But I do love it all the same. :-)

I have always wanted a snakelock anemone, but they are very uncommon in the Midwest, and I believe they are temperate also? I've always been scared to try a temperate tank because of the cost of keeping it cool. What temp do you run that 8 gallon at?

[cichlidconvert]

I run it at 60f. I use a thermo electric chiller from chill solutions. Between that and the cost of the tank it's 270. I use the stock pump to power the chiller. If you have AC in your house this is a great Coldwater combo. And Coldwater Marine Aquatics has plenty of snakelock anemones. I seen them in person there. I almost snagged one myself! They'll get you started just tell em Paul sent ya. lol