How to attach/mount an anemone?

[chizerbunoi]

I didn't see a post for this so thought I just create one that can be referenced. This is my method that works really well. Please contribute if you have other methods.

Before anything, obivously make sure you purchase a healthy anemone with a foot that is not injured (no rips/tears) and the mouth is not open (gaping or wide with the insides coming out).

How to attach a rock dwelling anemone?

This example looks at a Condylactis. But Entacmaea quadricolor (Bubble Tip Anemone) and Heteractis crispa (Sebae rock dweller) is the same. Note that Heteractis magnifica (Ritteri, Magnificent), Stichodactyla mertensii and Stichodactyla gigantea will be different.

My Condy decided to go for a stroll onto the egg crate divider. I removed it by rubbing the foot and taking care to not damage its foot as I scraped it off the surface.

You will want to attach it to a rock crevice. I personally found that Condy and BTA like rock crevices that are pointing down.

Turn off all waterflow in that area. Or turn it down.

Insert the anemone's foot into the crevice.

Wait for it to attach. I waited 30 minutes and could tell by the way it was lifting itself up.

Turn waterflow back on. The anemone will move if its not happy with the spot you picked. That is normal. it could move or completely de-attach.

 

[chizerbunoi]

How to attach a sand dwelling anemone?

This example is looking at a Macrodactyla doreensis (Long tentacle), but also works for Stichodactyla haddoni (Carpet) and Heteractis malu (Sebae).

Here you can see that this LTA does not like the rock area I made for it. I bordered it in on 3 sides to see if it would attach, but it just fell over like this.

Turn off water flow. Take a cylinder with a diameter that is larger than the foot of your anemone. This is a plastic coffee cup that I cut.

Now insert it into the sand.

And siphon out the sand inside the cup. You want the foot of the anemone to attach to the glass at the bottom of the deep sand bed.

Insert the anemone into the cup.

At this point I turn the waterflow back on and wait for the anemone's foot to attach. You will know based on its disposition.

Not completely attached yet. Foot can still be seen on the side.

Yes your clowns will be very eager to host right away.

At the end of the day, bingo it is attached. Notice how it is standing upright?

I now slowly take the cylinder out. If the anemone comes up then it is not attached yet. Go very slow and you will notice if everything is good or not.

Now I backfill the sand around the column by gently pushing it. And it should open out like this.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I didn't see a post for this so thought I just create one that can be referenced. This is my method that works really well. Please contribute if you have other methods.

Before anything, obivously make sure you purchase a healthy anemone with a foot that is not injured (no rips/tears) and the mouth is not open (gaping or wide with the insides coming out).

How to attach a rock dwelling anemone?

This example looks at a Condylactis. But Entacmaea quadricolor (Bubble Tip Anemone) and Heteractis crispa (Sebae rock dweller) is the same. Note that Heteractis magnifica (Ritteri, Magnificent), Stichodactyla mertensii and Stichodactyla gigantea will be different.

My Condy decided to go for a stroll onto the egg crate divider. I removed it by rubbing the foot and taking care to not damage its foot as I scraped it off the surface.

You will want to attach it to a rock crevice. I personally found that Condy and BTA like rock crevices that are pointing down.

Turn off all waterflow in that area. Or turn it down.

Insert the anemone's foot into the crevice.

Wait for it to attach. I waited 30 minutes and could tell by the way it was lifting itself up.

Turn waterflow back on. The anemone will move if its not happy with the spot you picked. That is normal. it could move or completely de-attach.

Very nice! I would completely agree that the security of the foot in a crevice is equally important as lighting or flow for these types of anemones.

 

[chizerbunoi]

Here is an example image of a healthy foot.

 

[OnyxPerc]

dude that trick with the cup is genius. Will definitely keep it in mind for the future.

Thanks for sharing this!

 

[Katrina71]

dude that trick with the cup is genius. Will definitely keep it in mind for the future.

Thanks for sharing this!

Agreed

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

How I got my carpet nem to attach exactly where I wanted it to was really interesting. With how the flow is in my tank it kept getting blown out before it could attach.
I first dug a small divot in the sand and surrounded it by a few small rocks so it was protected from current. About 20 mins later is anchored and hasnt budged since then !

 

[baumer1781]

Great write-ups and this helped me get my LTA to attach. I glued some frag plug stems to the cup to add a little weight, as mine was wanting to float. These then acted as handles on the side when removing the cup. It was so helpful to find this 4 years later as I was struggling to get it to anchor in other ways I'd found.

 

[chizerbunoi]

Glad it worked out for you. haha nice to see an email prompt to come back. I haven't been logged on for so long since my little ones came into my life. But I still enjoy this hobby. Hope you have fun with it.

 

[Surf City Corals]

How to attach a sand dwelling anemone?

This example is looking at a Macrodactyla doreensis (Long tentacle), but also works for Stichodactyla haddoni (Carpet) and Heteractis malu (Sebae).

Here you can see that this LTA does not like the rock area I made for it. I bordered it in on 3 sides to see if it would attach, but it just fell over like this.

Turn off water flow. Take a cylinder with a diameter that is larger than the foot of your anemone. This is a plastic coffee cup that I cut.

Now insert it into the sand.

And siphon out the sand inside the cup. You want the foot of the anemone to attach to the glass at the bottom of the deep sand bed.

Insert the anemone into the cup.

At this point I turn the waterflow back on and wait for the anemone's foot to attach. You will know based on its disposition.

Not completely attached yet. Foot can still be seen on the side.

Yes your clowns will be very eager to host right away.

At the end of the day, bingo it is attached. Notice how it is standing upright?

I now slowly take the cylinder out. If the anemone comes up then it is not attached yet. Go very slow and you will notice if everything is good or not.

Now I backfill the sand around the column by gently pushing it. And it should open out like this.

This cup idea is fantastic. I'm trying it right now with my beautiful turquoise indo-pacific long tentacle (Macrodactyla doreensis) I bought a few days ago. He's been wild and moving, not for lack of trying to keep him stable, but now so far the cup is holding him steady. I'm encouraged. Super great idea. I'll check back.

 

[Surf City Corals]

dude that trick with the cup is genius. Will definitely keep it in mind for the future.

Thanks for sharing this!

absolutely. Using it right now on my long tentacle anemone.