Starter Kit?

[Ace25]

So, then say, you can only have the smaller species anemone, don't say "No, a 29G is too small for an anemone".

Also, my Maroon clown hosted with my anemone within 10 minutes of placing the anemone in the tank. I have always wondered if it is the type of anemone that matters, or the individual clown when it comes to hosting. Others in my reef club have "hosting" anemones but their clowns still host in other things like colt corals, frogspawns, etc, but not the anemone. Seen many different experiences like that.

 

[Amphiprion]

Well, both matter to an extent. You are dealing with probabilities. The probability of a maroon clown hosting in a bulb tip anemone vs. a Condylactis is skewed. That certainly doesn't mean that the clown absolutely won't accept it, but rather, the chances are lower. Of course, this all depends upon the clown. Who knows what each individual will do.

 

[Grins]

And I don't consider a 29g tank a nano.

30 and under is a nano to me

Also, you are grouping ALL anemones in the same size?

Of course not, but the ones people ask about as hosting anemones tend to be the larger ones. I went by the 20 inch diameter based on the species you listed in the event you were comparing two of the same kind. I don't consider your neighbor's lack of success to be a good variable because I know nothing of his tank other than size.

Here is my Anemone and it is about 12" fully extended

Condy isn't what I would consider a hosting anemone or a wise choice for those daring mixed reefs.

 

[Ace25]

Well, my tank will prove otherwise then won't it? Mine is a full reef, has a condy, is under 30g, and is hosting.. and I don't believe I sat there with a stick and forced the anemone to play nice or the clown to host with it.. it just happened.. very quickly.

 

[Grins]

Well, both matter to an extent. You are dealing with probabilities. The probability of a maroon clown hosting in a bulb tip anemone vs. a Condylactis is skewed. That certainly doesn't mean that the clown absolutely won't accept it, but rather, the chances are lower. Of course, this all depends upon the clown. Who knows what each individual will do.

Exactly. Best chance of success would be to match clowns to the type of anemones you typically find them hosting in the wild and success experiences in captivity. But bottom line is that is the general rule not a guarantee. However, I'd sure take it as a good guideline and tell someone that chances are their clown won't use a condy as a host. Additionally I'd warn them the condy might make a meal of it if it is much larger than the clown. A maroon wouldn 't concern me as much because of their size, but even then the odds aren't there that they'll select the condy. Could it happen, yes. Does it happen, yes. Do I think the odds are in favor of it, no.

 

[Grins]

Well, my tank will prove otherwise then won't it? Mine is a full reef, has a condy, is under 30g, and is hosting.. and I don't believe I sat there with a stick and forced the anemone to play nice or the clown to host with it.. it just happened.. very quickly.

One instance is not proof. I'm glad you had a good experience and I think it is great you are here to share it so people can get a different vantage point. But I still believe your experience is outside the norm of what I'd consider to be common in a successful mixed reef.

 

[Ace25]

What are you saying? One instance of a nuclear bomb exploding isn't proof they exist? Come on! Your seeing it with your own eyes, it IS proof. It may not be the "norm", but it most certainly is proof.

I'm not trying to say a clown with certainly host with it. The only point I was trying to make is you CAN have an anemone in a 29G tank successfully. Maybe not a rose BTA, but you can have a condy.

 

[Grins]

Sorry, but I look at it with a scientific perspective and one istance isn't proof in science.

EDIT: Hit the submit button too soon. What I'm trying to say is that it doesn't provide adequate support that it should be done. I can keep a yellow tang thriving in a 55g reef for most of a year, but I certainly don't consider it proof that it should be done or that it can continue to be done even in my instance.