anenome light

jessie

jessie

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Mar 3, 2004
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i would like to know everyones opinion on lights for anenomes. most people say they need MH. i have 3 freinds that have anenomes, one has MH, one has PC, and one has regular power glow bulbs. they are all established tanks by at least 3 years. oldest tank is around 7 years and has the regular lights. why all the hoopla about MH for anenomes. you cant tell the difference between the quality of the anenomes, i mean they are all large, nice looking and seem to be doing great. is it the fact that they can live without MH but prefer them?? im not trying to start an argument, just dont understand the concept of MH for anenomes when i have seen so many flourish whitout MH. someone edumacate me about the situation.
 
well, it depends on what kind of anemones we're talking about? There are some out there that are filter feeders only and don't have symbiotic zoolanthe "diatoms" that provide a lot of their nutrients and waste removal. Most of the one's seen in captivity epi's "rock anemones", bubble tips and kin need lots of light so that their algae can carry on waste removal and nutrient production . Others like condies don't need as much light like condies " could probably make it real close to a vho fluorescent. Again some and I'm drawing a blank here on both common and species names"octopus anemones maybe?" only filter feed and don't need bright lights. Be careful though a lot of them have really powerful stings! Also some of the other photosynthetic ones can make it under very low light conditions ," they loose their zoolanthe" and can make it for a very reduced life span on just filter feeding. If you'll let us know what sort you're talking about you'd get a much better answer.
hth
Chris
 
I want one of those anemones that can live for years under NO fluorescent! Your friends sound like the exceptions. I have seen way too many "I killed my anemone" posts, and do my best to avoid the topic.

It really does depend on the species. I don't know anyone who has kept carpet anemones successfully without MH.
 
Also as of yet I doubt that many can claim "success" in keeping an anemone. for a creature that potentiallly can live hundreds of years making it a few years in an aquarium is but a start. It would be like claiming success on having a Macaw parrot live 4 years.

One problem is that not enough is known about how to keep these guys. So if you ever do wish to try to keep one in your aquarium do everyone a favour and actually keep a diary of eveything it does. The more information like this that gets out the better it will be for everyone.
 
Do you happen to know the species that are surviving in this low light environment? And how long has the anenome been in the tank I know you said the tank is 7 years old but how long has the anenome been in the tank?
 
The anemone debate can get out of hand, partly because, as TKOS points out, there isn't a lot of info out there. The most complete info I have seen is in this survey:
http://trickstr.tripod.com/survey_r.htm.

Anyway, your friends must be doing something right, and I would love to hear more about their conditions. Sounds like maybe they could do a little edumacating themselves :D

Edit: Rats! I just realized that's not the link I want. There is a very complete survey done by the Breeder's Registry, and I can't find it. Maybe when the coffee cup's all the way empty.
 
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ill ask to see if they know what type of anenomes they have. i dont have a camera to post pics so does anyone know of a good id page i could look at. i dont have any anenomes, nor do i really care to get any. i was just wondering about it.
 
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