What comes first? Anemone or Coral?

AngeloM3 · 05/04/2006, 09:56 AM

Hey everybody!!

I got a 50gal... only a couple of fish and 2 corals

I do plan on getting a BTA and Clown fish.... but I do want a mixture of coral too.

I know once I get an anemone its going to wander to find a good spot. Should I get the anemone first before I start adding coral? Or will the anemone leave the coral alone while it wanders?

gregr · 05/04/2006, 10:26 AM

The anemone will sting whatever coral it comes in contact with- some corals are more tolerant than others, but most will suffer greatly if the anemone touches them. Best to add the anemone and wait 'til it finds a place it likes then add the corals- but give the anemone lots of room because when they're happy they grow fast.

NCreefwannabe · 05/04/2006, 10:28 AM

if the anenome touches the coral while its moving it will liekly hurt it. even if you get the anenome first and its in a spot it likes, once you add coral, it may deicde it wants to move again anyways. Its just one of those things you have to deal with.

Also if you can find an anenome already hosting clowns, by them together, otherwise, your clowns "may" take awhile before they host it if you buy them seperate.

onecrzyboi4u · 05/04/2006, 10:39 AM

I would put the anemone in first.. let it roam around the tank.. then add ur corals.. cos if not.. your going to lose some corals and money..

SaltyNovice · 05/04/2006, 10:45 AM

I put a BTA in my tank last week. I don't have anything else except for a few featherdusters. My anemone has not moved at all. How long does it take for them to make an effort to move? Do you think there is something wrong with mine? I wish I could post some pics - he seems healthy to me, but no movement whatsoever.

Amphiprion · 05/04/2006, 10:53 AM

If it doesn't move, then don't question it (you'll jinx it

). Seriously, anemones only move (generally) if their needs aren't met, though E. quadricolor tends to do it anyway.

davocean · 05/04/2006, 12:18 PM

Agree w/ amphiprion.
I guessed about right for flow and light for mine, so they barely moved, and have been in the same spot for 4 years now.
They can grow big though.
I like my frags to be movable to accomidate this.
By the way, nems touching corals is not an immediate kiss of death in my exp.
Anytime they've touched I've been able to move frags w/ no problem.

05/04/2006, 09:56 AM	#1
AngeloM3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,016	What comes first? Anemone or Coral? Hey everybody!! I got a 50gal... only a couple of fish and 2 corals I do plan on getting a BTA and Clown fish.... but I do want a mixture of coral too. I know once I get an anemone its going to wander to find a good spot. Should I get the anemone first before I start adding coral? Or will the anemone leave the coral alone while it wanders?

05/04/2006, 10:26 AM	#2
gregr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Studio City, Ca Posts: 7,011	The anemone will sting whatever coral it comes in contact with- some corals are more tolerant than others, but most will suffer greatly if the anemone touches them. Best to add the anemone and wait 'til it finds a place it likes then add the corals- but give the anemone lots of room because when they're happy they grow fast. __________________ 150g mixed reef Apex, 60g sump, MTC MVX-26 skimmer, MTC Minical, Geo kalk reactor, Tunze 6095s, closed loop, Orphek Atlantiks. Utube video: https://youtu.be/pAzqzxVnrUw

05/04/2006, 10:45 AM	#5
SaltyNovice Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Amarillo Posts: 292	I put a BTA in my tank last week. I don't have anything else except for a few featherdusters. My anemone has not moved at all. How long does it take for them to make an effort to move? Do you think there is something wrong with mine? I wish I could post some pics - he seems healthy to me, but no movement whatsoever. __________________ SaltyNovice

05/04/2006, 10:53 AM	#6
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	If it doesn't move, then don't question it (you'll jinx it ). Seriously, anemones only move (generally) if their needs aren't met, though E. quadricolor tends to do it anyway. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

05/04/2006, 12:18 PM	#7
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Agree w/ amphiprion. I guessed about right for flow and light for mine, so they barely moved, and have been in the same spot for 4 years now. They can grow big though. I like my frags to be movable to accomidate this. By the way, nems touching corals is not an immediate kiss of death in my exp. Anytime they've touched I've been able to move frags w/ no problem. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

05/04/2006, 10:28 AM	#3
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	if the anenome touches the coral while its moving it will liekly hurt it. even if you get the anenome first and its in a spot it likes, once you add coral, it may deicde it wants to move again anyways. Its just one of those things you have to deal with. Also if you can find an anenome already hosting clowns, by them together, otherwise, your clowns "may" take awhile before they host it if you buy them seperate.

05/04/2006, 10:39 AM	#4
onecrzyboi4u Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lexington VA Posts: 1,893	I would put the anemone in first.. let it roam around the tank.. then add ur corals.. cos if not.. your going to lose some corals and money..