There are a whole host of different creatures that you can keep in a saltwater aquarium but many people often only think of fish. However, including stunning anemones in your tank is a great way to recreate a scene from the ocean, not to mention that these are fascinating animals.
That said, if you want your anemone to thrive in your aquarium, it is vital that you provide it with the best care from the moment you bring it home. Acclimatizing these delicate creatures correctly is of the utmost importance.
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Types Of Anemone
When you head to your local aquatic store, you will find that there are several common types of anemone available for purchase. One of the most common is the bubble tip anemone which comes from the Indo-pacific ocean and can live up to eight years. These stunning creatures can grow up to 12 inches so make a beautiful feature in any saltwater aquarium. They are one of the easier types to take care of and so are preferred by newcomers to fish keeping.
Another of the most common anemones for hobby aquarists is the beadlet anemone which is found in the wild around the Mediterranean and Atlantic ocean. Much smaller in size, these are perfect for smaller tanks and will grow no more than around 3 inches as an absolute maximum. However, they can live as long as 80 years so you’ve certainly got a commitment on your hands if you choose this type of anemone.
If you are looking for a more exotic-looking anemone then you might go for a pink-tipped variety which hails from the Caribbean. With striking pink tip markings and growing up to a whopping 20 inches, these are some of the most beautiful anemones that you can keep in a home aquarium. Surprisingly, they are also one of the most affordable with some places selling them for as little as $5!
Start By Choosing A Healthy Anemone
Before you even think about how to acclimate your anemone, it is important to start with a healthy specimen. Unfortunately, there are aquatic shops out there that offer inferior creatures that are in ill health and probably won’t last for very long even if you do acclimate them correctly. But while it might sound intimidating, there are things you can look out for when purchasing your anemone that speak leaps and bounds about its health.
Begin by looking at the colour of the anemone. If it looks pale or white in color then this means that the anemone will not have the right amount of zooxanthellae. This is a compound that is created during the process of photosynthesis and without it, the anemone will not be able to grow or retain its strength, therefore, its lifespan will be drastically decreased. This chemical also causes the anemone to retain its color so pale or white specimens are a dead giveaway of this.
When you look at an anemone, you will notice how it ‘sticks’ to the rock so if you see one in a store that is not ‘sticking’ properly, you may think that this is a cause for concern. The good news is that this is normal and while some anemones won’t stick while they are in the store, they will soon reestablish this as they settle in your saltwater tank at home.
An anemone will close up from time to time but it should not remain this way all the time. If this is the case, this is one that you will want to avoid. Moreover, it is important to speak to one of the assistants in the store to get information on when the anemone was brought in and its current condition.
It is vital to check the condition of the feet and this is one of the most important things you should be looking for to make sure it is healthy. If you notice that the foot is cut or damaged in any way, do not buy it. Moreover, the foot should be anchored to something in the tank, if it isn’t, walk away.
Finally, you will notice that some anemones are barfed. This term refers to an anemone whose stomach is expelled and whose mouth is wide open. Making sure that you choose a healthy anemone will ensure that it stands the best chance of being well acclimated in its new home.
How To Acclimate Your Anemone
Once you are happy with your selection, it is time to bring your new anemone home but before it can settle into the tank, you will need to acclimate it. Not doing this could cause the anemone to go into shock which would likely be fatal. Even in the best cases, the anemone may survive the sudden shock of being thrown into a new tank but its overall health would be affected and its lifespan shortened.
But don’t worry, it isn’t difficult to acclimate an anemone but just in case, we have put together a short step by step guide to help you make the change easily and effectively.
Before you get started, it is important to remember that you should always wear gloves when handling an anemone. One of the main reasons for doing this is that many can sting and some have toxins. While these won’t usually cause any serious problems in humans, the results can be unpleasant. Moreover, and what a lot of aquarists don’t think about is that the oils and bacteria on your skin could be damaging to the anemone who is a delicate little creature.
The first step is to place the bag with the anemone inside into the aquarium without opening it. You should leave it here for at least 20 minutes. This will allow the water in the bag to get to the same temperature as the water in your aquarium.
Next, you will need to gradually add small amounts of the aquarium water into the bag. Add just a little at a time and do this over the course of at least an hour. If you have time to do this for a couple of hours, we would recommend this.
By this point, you will be ready to put the anemone into your tank. You can discard the water from within the bag before transferring the anemone to the tank.
Depending on the species, they may prefer to be placed in different locations. Going on the example of the bubble tip anemone, we would recommend placing it within the rocks since they like to anchor their foot in the small crevices.
Caring For Your Anemone
It is important to provide the right conditions for your anemone in order for it to thrive. Keeping the tank temperate between 78ºf and 80ºf is ideal but you must also ensure that there is a good balance within the tank with ammonia and nitrate levels kept to an undetectable level. Moreover, you should never attempt to add an anemone to an unestablished tank. Most experts would recommend leaving it between six months and a year after setting up the tank before adding an anemone as they need the conditions to be spot on.
Feeding your anemone is a pretty simple task since these creatures only need to eat around once a week. What they eat may vary from species to species but on the whole, as long as you are providing foods that are rich in protein, you should be fine. Things like thawed frozen shrimp are ideal.
Conclusion
When you purchase a beautiful anemone to add to your reef tank, it is important to give it time to acclimatize to its new surroundings. Simply dumping it in the tank could send it into shock and if it doesn’t die, it will likely suffer with health problems. But acclimating these creatures is relatively easy and only takes around two hours. Once settled, you will enjoy your anemone for many years with some varieties living into their 80s!
