Phosphates and Anemones?

[Eznate]

Hello Everyone,

Are phosphates toxic or bad for anemones? If so why? I am an engineer and not a biologist, but phosphates and nitrates seem to be what most algae thrive on. Is zooxanthellae not a photosynthetic algae? Isn't the production of zooxanthellae how anemones survive? I would think that some level of nitrates and phosphates would be beneficial.

Thanks

[phender]

The coral and anemone cells produce enough waste to keep the zooxanthellae happy.

In many cases too much fertilizer is worse than too little if you are a plant. For the most part its not the algae that dies in this symbiotic relationship, its the animal that can't live in the higher levels of phosphates and nitrates.

[Raintree]

Originally Posted by phender

The coral and anemone cells produce enough waste to keep the zooxanthellae happy.

In many cases too much fertilizer is worse than too little if you are a plant. For the most part its not the algae that dies in this symbiotic relationship, its the animal that can't live in the higher levels of phosphates and nitrates.

On top of this, phosphate does not just spur growth of zooxanthellae in the same way it can spur growth of nuisance algae in the aquarium. Although their relationship is considered symbiotic, the anemone and the zooxanthellae are sort of in a constant battle. The nem will regulate the amount of zooxanthellae contained in it's tissues depending on a number of factors.

Also, it's hypothesized that during a bleaching event, the zooxanthellae take on a parasitic relationship with the coral because they are unable to photosynthesize, so the coral expels the zooxanthellae. Pretty cool stuff.

But yes, phosphate can be toxic to anemones but i don't know enough to elaborate more. I would guess that anemones can tolerate higher phosphate than coral, but even so I'd suggest keeping phosphate stable around 0.03ppm and you should be good.