Glass Anemone

Question
Hello

I have a fish only tank with live rock. Today I bought 2 live rocks and I found several Glass Anemon on the rocks. I have been doing lots of research on the internet and I have heard nothing but bad things about these pests. The thing is that I enjoy the way they look and being a beginner I am not sure if it is a good idea to keep them. I think that they add more life to my fish tank and that I already do have a peppermint shrimp in my tank that I hope will help keep the population under control.

I would like to know if they can kill my clown (percula and clarki), goby (yellow sleeper head), and my damsel fish. My damsels and clowns are small, but my goby is about 3 inches. Thank you for your time and consideration I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely
Kash

Answer
hello

No, the aptasia will not affect your fish... but, they will cover every square inch of your tank...on the sand, on the rock, on the plumbing nozzles, onthe glass/acrylic...

they will be all over, and although you may think thay look good/attractive, they really arent... (I know, subjective)

they are blah coloration, and funny shape, although shape is acceptable i guess...

If you really think the life and 'natural' looking growh is something you are interested in, you might want to try finding some 'zoanthids'....  you can buy small 'frags', (fragments of the colony), and place them near or on some rocks, and they will grow, just like the aptasia, but not as fast.

The aptasia will grow all over, not just spread from this area to that area.. you will have them pooping up here and way over there...

the zoanthids can do that sometimes too, but typically the growth is symetrical in that it spreads

you might want to try looking at www.zoaid.com   and www.liveaquaria.com

the first site is kind of like a zoanthid  wikipedia, and the second is a great online store that has great information... and a great 'stay alive' guarantee...


Also, you can log onto my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com  and post something in the introductions section, and meet a few others that maybe in the same stage as you...


good luck and hope to hear from you soon



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