Featured Questions below.

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Question............I was wondering what anenomes would be good to start off with in a tank, like are there certain kinds that are more durable than others or have special requirements? I have a Hawaiian pink tip anenome and it seems to be doing well. What other anenomes would you recommend or which do you find to be the best for a tomato clown to go in. I have a 75 gallon with 2 40watt bulbs. If that makes any difference like for size or lighting needs of the anenomes. Thanks in advance. Adam Answer.........Adam .... I have found Condylactis anemones to be a good first anemone since they are durable and low priced. If your Condylactis anenomes do well, I would say it would be safe to move on to other species. Even though Condylactis are form the Caribbean sea and Tomato Clowns are from the Pacific, they will eventually go in to Condylactis Anemones. Carpet and sebae anemones are also good anemones for a Tomato clown to go into. "The Aquarium Doctor" Just wanted to say thanks for the help. My local pet store has a condylactis so I will probably buy it and see how it does. Please explain setting up a refugium The Refugium Thanks again, Sincerely Adam Question........I have a Gonipora coral in my tank and I understand that they are very difficult to raise...I have him or her on the extreme left of my tank about midway up the tank with some water movement from the Aquaclear filter spillover from above but not in a direct stream from my Power head...it seems to be doing OK and I will keep you informed about the health of this coral... I know that the conditions of the water and the  lights have to be almost perfect..I may need more light in my tank? At another site I read that one of the problems with raising Gonipora could be excessive Protein Skimming...I wonder if this could be my problem since I am using the CPR Bak Pak Filter with a Protein Skimmer...also,. my little clown fish is constantly playing in and out of my Gonipora Coral...MY water conditions and lighting and; position in my tank seem to be ideal but I am already starting to notice some deterioration...tentacles not as long and more of the bottom rock showing...also my anemone crab is also attaching himself to the bottom of the Gonipora...it would be a shame to lose such a beautiful coral... Thank You! Vince Couchara Answer.......Vince ..... I know you have been waiting for a response for a while. Thanks for being patient. You have the right idea to place this coral in a location that has good current flowing by it. I am more of a fish expert, you probably have more ideas that will help your coral than I do. However when I went to St. Louis to my Fish Wholesaler, I was told it is a very fragile coral very sensitive to nitrates. Gonipori is a beautiful coral and it is definitely worth keeping healthy. Also what kind of invertabrete additives are you using. Please fill me in on the additives you are using and I will get back with you. "The Aquarium Doctor" Question..........Hi, I have an 75g aquarium of fresh-water, and I bought two crabs yesterday. They are a couple of inches big, and have two red arms, and they were called sri lanka crabs, have you got any information about them? What to feed them, do they eat fish ? Thank You, Eric Answer...........Eric .....I am not familiar with these crabs. But most all crabs are true scavengers and will eat just about anything that settles to the bottom. Crabs can be a threat to any fish that is small enough to be held by the crabs pinchers. Don't be shocked when the crab molts. It will seem like he is dead, but if you look around you will find a exact living replica of his shell some where in the tank. "The Aquarium Doctor" Question.........Hi Doc, I have two anemone crabs, another rangy crab, a cleaner shrimp & a coral banded shrimp...The one crab & the two shrimp seem to be doing excellent...the two anemone crabs are missing or hiding...my question is how long between moltings and how long before a new shell is formed? I realize each one is different, but an approximation would be appreciated... Will tangs Or damsels eat crabs?... It seems lately I am losing a few snails (5 or 6) and I can't see any reason for it since the water quality, filtration, lights are all in good order...I heard that a lack of algae can be the reason...what do you think???I am leaving for Bonaire next week so I will check for your answer when I get back...thanks... Vince Couchara Answer.........Hi Vince .... Good to hear from you again. Your question about the crab is an interesting one. I have not found any definitive time span in which shrimp and crabs molt, but I have read that they molt in order to grow. So I would imagine it would differ depending on how good your crab or shrimps diet is and if food is readily available. The new exoskeleton will be soft and unprotected for a few days and this time period would be the period a tang would perhaps decide to dine on one. My yellow Tangs enjoy feasting on krill ocassionally so I don't see why they would hesitate to take a soft newly molted crab or shrimp especially if assisted by other fish. "The Aquarium Doctor" Question........ Do anemones actually eat? should an anemone have a corresponding clown anemone fish? What kills corals like these? to be more general, what kills corals? is it the dirt? Its easy keeping the fish alive , what is troubling me though is keeping the invertebrate alive. What should I look out for? My aquarium has been alive for almost a year. The corals though don't look so healthy. Please answer soon. Thanks! Erwin Answer..........Erwin Yes, Anenomes do eat. They are filter feeders and feed by extracting very minute particles of material from the water. In the oceans this soup of particles is called plankton. Perhaps your tank is lacking the microorganism population needed to sustain your corals. Powerfilters may sometimes extract matter too efficiently. there are also many invertabrete formulas on the market that will help add some of these organisms to provide a more natural diet to your corals and anenomes. Let me know how your tank does. "The Aquarium Doctor"

Question......I have purchased what was called a long tentacle anemone. This specimen has a base about 1 1/2 inches around and about 2 inches high with many long (2 to 3 in) translucent tentacles on it . When I placed it into the tank I first placed it near the top of my tank, after a few hours it started to move down between the rocks until it was almost hidden, so I moved it to a spot lower in the tank and again it did the same thing. This happened a third time ending up with the base of the anemone buried in the sand so I moved it into an open area of the sand where it is now and again the base is buried in the sand. Would this be a normal position for this type of anemone? if not why does it want to bury it base? I also would like to know what is the best food to give it? Thanks, Don Taylor Answer.........Don!!!!!, the best recommendation I can give you is to let the anenome go where it wants to. By moving the anenome you may damage his fragile body. Also the anenome has a natural instinct on where to locate himself for optimum protection and filter feeding. Kent Marine makes a good anenome nutrition formula. I have constructed a pipette that I inject the food directly at the anenome. This can be made by attaching a flexible air tube to the end of a small rigid air tube. Then squirt a little of the food in the end of the rigid tubing and blow lightly into the flexible tubing shooting the food into the mouth of the anenome. I hope your anenome does well. Let me know if you have further questions. "The Aquarium Doctor" Question........"When is it safe to add snails and crab to a aquarium?" Answer: Opinions differ. It has been our experience that both the snails and the crabs do not do well when introduced to a tank that is high in nitrites & nitrates. We recommend that you add your clean-up crew after your tank has cycled, and nitrates are below 10ppm. Hi: .......I am thinking about setting up a 20 gal quarantine tank to place new specimens in and to have an extra tank in case something goes wrong with any of my fish or coral...thanks... Vince Couchara Vince ... A quarantine tank is a good idea and will help in introducing new specimens. I have often seen a confused new specimen swim into an anemone inadvertently just because they are unfamiliar with the environment. Quarantine will act as an adjustment period for new introductions, increasing their chance for survival. "The Aquarium Doctor" Question........I have a 55 gal. saltwater tank (approx. 6 mo. old) and recently added a giant green anemone. The anemone formed a large white "balloon" structure from the "mouth". Any help as to what is going on would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Liz Answer.......Anenomes are very sensitive to Ph changes. Perhaps your Ph is lower than the source tank of theses anenomes. Also make sure that in bagging and introducing anenomes not to take them out of the water as their thin membrane can not withhold the forces of gravity. Always bag them and release them underwater so they will not rupture from their own gelatinous mass. another possibility is high gas levels of one type or another. Fish are more able to cope with fluctuations in gas levels than anenomes. If one Anenome should die it often causes a chain reaction, because the anenomes are very rich in protein and create a high ammonia condition as they dissolve. If this should start happening remove any mucus left over from the anemones that have deteriorated. "The Aquarium Doctor" Question.........Hello Maybe YOU can help me.... I have recently decided to add 3 Florida Anenome to my 90 gallon, year old tank. They shrunk up shortly after I put them in (was told this was normal and that they'd be ok in a couple of days). In the meantime, my Dog Faced Puffer and hermit crab decided to dine on them!!! I'd like to try again, but of course- can think of better things to feed my puffer.  Would there be another type that may not be so tasty or is there any way to protect them or am I just doomed to be anenome less?? Thanks for your help!! Jodi Answer.........Jodi ...Try condylactis Anenomes. I have a porcupine Puffer and several hermit crabs and they do not bother them. other anenomes I would suggest are carpet anenomes or sebae anenomes. "The Aquarium Doctor" Question.........I have a Condylactis Anemone and my Clown will not go near it...he loved the Gonipora but alas the Gonipora is gone...what type of sea anemone do you recommend that my percula clown will have fun with... Thanks Vince Answer........Vince... Clownfish love carpet, Sebae, and Tomato Anenomes especially. I have a sebae anenome and my percula clown goes into it quite frequently. hope your clownfish finds an anenome he likes. "The Aquarium Doctor" I have just changed my lighting from 3x48"x40 watt fluorescent bulbs to 2x48"110 watt VHO bulbs and the change to my aquarium has been terrific...I am going to try to experiment with new corals that need more light...I couldn't believe the change as to the color & beauty to my tank... Vince Our interest extends beyond these pages, to promoting conservation and aquaculture research projects worldwide-from helping understand environmental changes, to saving the endangered reefs, and endangered species with captive bred freshwater and marine life. Opinions expressed are based on personal experiences and knowledge that gained through books and practical application.    55 years of experience. Members may ask questions on any aquarium related subject and look for information returned on their own personal email faster than most can look it up. If you are really serious about this hobby, check out Andre's Aquarium Club's SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP Click Here

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