Anemone and Compatible Corals

BlackiceClowns · May 14, 2023

Hello everyone :)

I have a new tank that is still in its early setup and cycling. I'm planning on adding a bubble tip anemone after about 5-7 months but I wanted to get some soft corals in the following months. I'm just wondering what kind of corals I can keep with an anemone and what the best options are. I 100% want an anemone but I know that I need to wait for the tank to stabilize.

Can I keep Hammer corals and Alveopora with Bubble tips or will they fight?

Thanks

Stephen8169301 · May 14, 2023

What size tank do you have

Idech · May 14, 2023

5-7 months is still early to get an anemone. Just be aware that it might not survive.

BlackiceClowns · May 14, 2023

A 45-gallon tank. The dimensions are 20 by 20 by 28 inches with a 20-gallon sump.

Stephen8169301 said:
What size tank do you have

BlackiceClowns · May 14, 2023

Idech said:
5-7 months is still early to get an anemone. Just be aware that it might not survive.

Really I thought that was ideal. What do you think the best time is then?

Idech · May 14, 2023

BlackiceClowns said:
Really I thought that was ideal. What do you think the best time is then?

I had read around 12 months. I got my first one at about 18 months but it died. Mind you I got it at a really bad time and there were lots of changes in the tank.

You need to wait until your corals are doing well, the uglies are over and especially dinos. They are said not to do well with dinos.

BlackiceClowns · May 14, 2023

Idech said:
I had read around 12 months. I got my first one at about 18 months but it died. Mind you I got it at a really bad time and there were lots of changes in the tank.

You need to wait until your corals are doing well, the uglies are over and especially dinos. They are said not to do well with dinos.

Yeah, my Dino stage hasn't even begun yet. That's how new the tank is. I might just see how the tank is doing after 6 months and decide then if it's worth it. Just back to my other question do you think I could keep torch or hammer corals with a BTA Nem or do you think the sweeper tentacles would fight.

natashakay. · May 14, 2023

I have several bubble tips, long tentacles, rock flowers, and mini carpets with zoas, hammers, torches, Duncan’s, mushrooms, Xenia etc in my 60 gal cube and have zero issues

BlackiceClowns · May 14, 2023

natashakay. said:
I have several bubble tips, long tentacles, rock flowers, and mini carpets with zoas, hammers, torches, Duncan’s, mushrooms, Xenia etc in my 60 gal cube and have zero issues

Awesome thanks. Good to know that it is possible. Worst comes to it ill just move one or the other.

natashakay. · May 14, 2023

BlackiceClowns said:
Awesome thanks. Good to know that it is possible. Worst comes to it ill just move one or the other.

Yeah I could just be lucky but it’s very rare my nems ever move. I’ve had it this way for several years and never had an issue even with upgrading the tank a few times

KQuillan · May 14, 2023

natashakay. said:
Yeah I could just be lucky but it’s very rare my nems ever move. I’ve had it this way for several years and never had an issue even with upgrading the tank a few times

I would love to see a picture of your tank.

Mowen44 · May 22, 2023

natashakay. said:
I have several bubble tips, long tentacles, rock flowers, and mini carpets with zoas, hammers, torches, Duncan’s, mushrooms, Xenia etc in my 60 gal cube and have zero issues

can you mix a supernova anemone with Colorado anemone? Thanks

natashakay. · May 22, 2023

Mowen44 said:
can you mix a supernova anemone with Colorado anemone? Thanks

Guess I’ve never tried. In my opinion you don’t know till you try lol

Keko21 · May 22, 2023

BlackiceClowns said:
Yeah, my Dino stage hasn't even begun yet. That's how new the tank is. I might just see how the tank is doing after 6 months and decide then if it's worth it. Just back to my other question do you think I could keep torch or hammer corals with a BTA Nem or do you think the sweeper tentacles would fight.

Hopefully your dino stage never starts! Diatoms yes- natural part of tank maturation. Dinos should only show up if you let your nutrients bottom out and then you have a whole different issue on your hands!

I added nems around the 6 month mark (which admittedly is early)- that said they are doing great and my rainbow BTA actually already split. The key is not necessarily time but how consistent and stable your parameters are, which obviously comes with time but may vary from tank to tank.

I am unaware of any coral that is "compatible" with nems. They are bulldozers and will sting anything they touch, and will inevitably move someplace you don't want them to lol. They are awesome but be prepared to look in your tank every now and then and just yell "NO! Why?! BAD ANEMONE!"