Emperator Angel terrorizing Carpet Anemone: need advice

Steve175 · 07/06/2012, 09:42 AM

I recently (~ 2 weeks ago) added an ~ 15 inch red carpet to one of my 2 DTs. This is a very healthy specimen that I observed at the LFS for 6 weeks before buying and he was placed into a well eatablished tank. Unfortunately my 8" Emperator (which is the show fish in that tank and needs to stay and has otherwise been a model citizen) has slowly and consistently been picking off tentacles. The nem now has some enlarging bald patches. Obviously, I do not want either animal hurt and am in need of advice. Am trying to decide whether to:
1) Wait it out
2) Add a pair of compatable clowns who may then protect it
3) Try to free his foot and move him to the other DT (no angels/ tangs only) or a 220 grow-out in the garage (kole tang and scribbled rabbit only) [both of these tanks are also lit with 400W MH]
4) Cover him with a vented clear plastic cover for a bit (with or without a new clown pair) to keep the angel at bay

Advice?

Voxboy · 07/06/2012, 09:47 AM

Number one is not an option. Cross that out.
I would move it to the other DT. JMO

CoralReeferGal · 07/06/2012, 10:17 AM

^^ Agreed; you cant wait it out. IME, it can be very hard to remove the foot, without hurting the nem or yourself. we have a large green carpet (average about 10-12 in, closer to 18 in when he fully spreads out) and he can be very stubborn... if its happy where its at, it can be very hard to move them. Personally, if theres enough room in your tank, I would add 1 or 2 maroon clowns. They tend to be little more aggressive than other clowns, and will "guard" their nem. From my research and advice I have gotten, we are actually in the process of finding a pair right now to keep our lionfish at bay (he hasn't even gone near our nem yet though, so its not an imperative situation for us) but anyway, maroon clowns were recommended to us to keep other fish away from the nem.

JohnV8r · 07/06/2012, 10:25 AM

Move the nem. To get its foot off, place a powerhead in the tank blowing right on it so that it becomes irritated and begins to move itself. It will be easier to get the foot off once it starts to move on its own.

CoralReeferGal · 07/06/2012, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnV8r

Move the nem. To get its foot off, place a powerhead in the tank blowing right on it so that it becomes irritated and begins to move itself. It will be easier to get the foot off once it starts to move on its own.

IME, that won't work... I think it may depend on the nem maybe, but ours likes the power head?!? he actually moved himself into the direct flow... when we put it in the tank, we placed it out of direct flow, and he moved to the sand bed and has been in the same spot ever since (about 6 months or so). Maybe ours is just weird? LOL! Worth a shot though, if you're trying to move one!

JohnV8r · 07/06/2012, 10:40 AM

Using a powerhead is the only tried and true safe way to get a large anemone to move on its own. You place the powerhead in a position so the flow is irritating the anemone, not making it happy.

And just for the record, Maroon clowns (Premnas biaculeatus) do not host with carpet anemones (neither Stichodactyla mertensii, haddoni, or gigantea) . There is an Anemone FAQ on a sticky at the top of the Anemone & Clownfish forum which lists anemones and the clownfish they host.

http://www.wifeofnerd.com/images/AnemoneFAQ.pdf

CoralReeferGal · 07/06/2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnV8r

Using a powerhead is the only tried and true safe way to get a large anemone to move on its own. You place the powerhead in a position so the flow is irritating the anemone, not making it happy.

And just for the record, Maroon clowns (Premnas biaculeatus) do not host with carpet anemones (neither Stichodactyla mertensii, haddoni, or gigantea) . There is an Anemone FAQ on a sticky at the top of the Anemone & Clownfish forum which lists anemones and the clownfish they host.

http://www.wifeofnerd.com/images/AnemoneFAQ.pdf

thanks! I thought it was weird our nem moved into the flow, but perhaps he'd move away if it was stronger flow hitting him...

Weird; I was told by several people that maroons would be the best choice for us?!? Glad I didn't get any then! Thank you! (And to the OP, sorry for offering inaccurate advice)

fishome25 · 07/06/2012, 03:41 PM

Maroons are the most aggressive so would be the best. but they aren't supposed to host in carpet anemonies. but clowns also aren't supposed to host in frogspawns, feather dusters and leather corals and they do if there are no other options. give it a try. I've seen it happen.

robs.mark · 07/06/2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voxboy

Number one is not an option. Cross that out.
I would move it to the other DT. JMO

Why not, i dont see any reason why it isnt worth a try, whats a carpet anemone without hosting clowns anyway?!

07/06/2012, 09:42 AM	#1
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,186	Emperator Angel terrorizing Carpet Anemone: need advice I recently (~ 2 weeks ago) added an ~ 15 inch red carpet to one of my 2 DTs. This is a very healthy specimen that I observed at the LFS for 6 weeks before buying and he was placed into a well eatablished tank. Unfortunately my 8" Emperator (which is the show fish in that tank and needs to stay and has otherwise been a model citizen) has slowly and consistently been picking off tentacles. The nem now has some enlarging bald patches. Obviously, I do not want either animal hurt and am in need of advice. Am trying to decide whether to: 1) Wait it out 2) Add a pair of compatable clowns who may then protect it 3) Try to free his foot and move him to the other DT (no angels/ tangs only) or a 220 grow-out in the garage (kole tang and scribbled rabbit only) [both of these tanks are also lit with 400W MH] 4) Cover him with a vented clear plastic cover for a bit (with or without a new clown pair) to keep the angel at bay Advice? __________________ Steve ---------------------------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, BK DeLuxe 300, 400W MH x4, closed loops, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Ca reactor, 60G surge tanks, & a huge elec bill

07/06/2012, 09:47 AM	#2
Voxboy Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sault Ste Marie Posts: 410	Number one is not an option. Cross that out. I would move it to the other DT. JMO __________________ Like my Grandfather...I wish to die peacefully in my sleep....unlike the screaming passengers in his car Current Tank Info: 130g mixed reef.

07/06/2012, 10:17 AM	#3
CoralReeferGal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Amish Country, PA Posts: 775	^^ Agreed; you cant wait it out. IME, it can be very hard to remove the foot, without hurting the nem or yourself. we have a large green carpet (average about 10-12 in, closer to 18 in when he fully spreads out) and he can be very stubborn... if its happy where its at, it can be very hard to move them. Personally, if theres enough room in your tank, I would add 1 or 2 maroon clowns. They tend to be little more aggressive than other clowns, and will "guard" their nem. From my research and advice I have gotten, we are actually in the process of finding a pair right now to keep our lionfish at bay (he hasn't even gone near our nem yet though, so its not an imperative situation for us) but anyway, maroon clowns were recommended to us to keep other fish away from the nem. __________________ Sarah 120 gal established 15+ years, Home to a pair of clowns, Professor Khaos (the diamond goby), Oscar (green mandarin dragonette), and Larry the (purple reef) Lobster.

07/06/2012, 10:25 AM	#4
JohnV8r Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: El Dorado Hills, CA Posts: 399	Move the nem. To get its foot off, place a powerhead in the tank blowing right on it so that it becomes irritated and begins to move itself. It will be easier to get the foot off once it starts to move on its own. __________________ We're not put on this earth to see through one another; we're put on this earth to see one another through - Gloria Vanderbilt Current Tank Info: 175g reef (48"L x 28"D x 30"H), 15g Refugium, 30g Sump w/ASM G3 (gate, mesh, & recirc mods), 10K GPH flow via 3 Tunze 7096 + return, ATO via Tunze Osmolater, 2x250W Radiums, GFO, Carbon, dosing vinegar/vodka, Alk, Ca, via 3 BRS dosers & Apex.

07/06/2012, 10:40 AM	#6
JohnV8r Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: El Dorado Hills, CA Posts: 399	Using a powerhead is the only tried and true safe way to get a large anemone to move on its own. You place the powerhead in a position so the flow is *irritating* the anemone, not making it happy. And just for the record, Maroon clowns (Premnas biaculeatus) do not host with carpet anemones (neither Stichodactyla mertensii, haddoni, or gigantea) . There is an Anemone FAQ on a sticky at the top of the Anemone & Clownfish forum which lists anemones and the clownfish they host. http://www.wifeofnerd.com/images/AnemoneFAQ.pdf __________________ We're not put on this earth to see through one another; we're put on this earth to see one another through - Gloria Vanderbilt Current Tank Info: 175g reef (48"L x 28"D x 30"H), 15g Refugium, 30g Sump w/ASM G3 (gate, mesh, & recirc mods), 10K GPH flow via 3 Tunze 7096 + return, ATO via Tunze Osmolater, 2x250W Radiums, GFO, Carbon, dosing vinegar/vodka, Alk, Ca, via 3 BRS dosers & Apex. Last edited by JohnV8r; 07/06/2012 at 10:50 AM.

07/06/2012, 03:41 PM	#8
fishome25 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: long island Posts: 2,472	Maroons are the most aggressive so would be the best. but they aren't supposed to host in carpet anemonies. but clowns also aren't supposed to host in frogspawns, feather dusters and leather corals and they do if there are no other options. give it a try. I've seen it happen.