Can I mix bubble tip anemones

[LxHowler]

I have a couple of tanks with an anemone in each, I am thinking about moving them all into one 20g and having an anemone only tank. I was wondering if there are any problems with mixing bubble tip anemones. I can't seem to find a straigh answer online to the question. It would be 2 rose bubble tips and a green bubble tip, one of the roses is already in the tank.

 

[Hugh Mann]

I could be wrong, but I don't think so, as they're all the same species, just different flavours.

 

[Soren]

I have no experience yet, but I have read that they are safe if they are clones of each other from splits but may cause each other problems if not and are too close together.

 

[James M]

Mixing bubble tips gets tricky when’s it’s high end nems. You should be okay

 

[Cell]

You should have no issues mixing RBTA and greens.

 

[GaryE]

I had a green in with two rose and he was never happy, moved him to my other tank that has only green and he's happy again.

 

[LxHowler]

Mixing bubble tips gets tricky when’s it’s high end nems. You should be okay

Interesting mixed replies. This might sound stupid but can I ask why higher end bubble tips are harder to mix than the more common varieties? Probably a really obvious reason but I'm still sort of new to anemones and still learning

 

[Cell]

It's all mostly anecdotal evidence but there is a widespread belief that Colorado Sunburst's dont do well with other bta's, but pretty much all others are fair game together.

 

[laverda]

My Experiance is that one type will dominate and the others will decline in size and numbers. My rainbow have taken over my tank while my Rose and green&purple BTAs have both declined in size and numbers.

 

[Cell]

Here's the rub with BTA's, you could have 5 of the same strain, all split off the same original, in the same tank and 1 or 2 could be doing poorly while the others are as healthy as can be. I think sometimes we forget they are individual creatures, despite being the same species or sharing genetics.

 

[laverda]

Here's the rub with BTA's, you could have 5 of the same strain, all split off the same original, in the same tank and 1 or 2 could be doing poorly while the others are as healthy as can be. I think sometimes we forget they are individual creatures, despite being the same species or sharing genetics.

I have 36+ anemones in one tank from 3 strains, 2 for 15+ years and never had that happen. To this day, none have ever looked sickly or unhealthy. The roses just get smaller and smaller. I added one rainbow 3 years ago. At that time I had four 10-14" green/purple BTAs, and ten 8-14 rose BTAs. Now I have three 4-12" G&P BTAs and two 3-5" rose BTAs, and 30plus rainbows 4-14". In the last year alone, i have sold at least 30 rainbows on top of that. The rainbows lower in the tank are lighter in color, but far from unhealthy!

 

[Mindy Walker]

I have a couple of tanks with an anemone in each, I am thinking about moving them all into one 20g and having an anemone only tank. I was wondering if there are any problems with mixing bubble tip anemones. I can't seem to find a straigh answer online to the question. It would be 2 rose bubble tips and a green bubble tip, one of the roses is already in the tank.

I have three types of bubble tips that live great in the same rock touching for last couple years with no problems

 

[Anthony Scholfield]

It could work fine or it could not. I never believed in the whole ”can’t keep different BTAs together” thing. So I setup a Nem tank and put in several BTAs. A black widow, rainbows, wildfire, CSB and supernova. Well after about a month the CSB and supernova about withered to nothing. I had to move them to their own individual tank and thankfully they are recovering. The widow and wildfire and growing like crazy and the rainbows are marginal.

It’s so strange but somebody once mentioned maybe it is a bacterial thing linked to the xoozenthelle being incompatible between the color strains....who knows.

So my experience is that some may work together but some may not. It’s a risk and if you are going to take the risk monitor it closely and be prepared to take action if needed when needed.

Another thread with some info.....
Post in thread 'Mixing high end (CSB) anemone with long tentacle?'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/mixing-high-end-csb-anemone-with-long-tentacle.685096/post-8114298

 

[chizerbunoi]

I did not have luck keeping rbta and gbta together. The gbta thrived before the addition of certain strains of rbta, in which it would get sick (deflate/gaping mouth) and then eventually die.

But I should note that even with the same rbta specimen, it has cloned itself many times. And each clone takes on different color variations so they don't all look the same. So if you thinking about similar hues of bta, the same clones could provide what you are looking for.

 

[chizerbunoi]

I have 36+ anemones in one tank from 3 strains, 2 for 15+ years and never had that happen. To this day, none have ever looked sickly or unhealthy. The roses just get smaller and smaller. I added one rainbow 3 years ago. At that time I had four 10-14" green/purple BTAs, and ten 8-14 rose BTAs. Now I have three 4-12" G&P BTAs and two 3-5" rose BTAs, and 30plus rainbows 4-14". In the last year alone, i have sold at least 30 rainbows on top of that. The rainbows lower in the tank are lighter in color, but far from unhealthy!

Would you mind posting a pic of your current tank? I would love to see your 300 gal with all those anemones.

 

[laverda]

Would you mind posting a pic of your current tank? I would love to see your 300 gal with all those anemones.

Most of my anemones are on the right side of my tank. Although one escaped to the left side. You can see containers in lower right with 4 rainbows a waiting sale.

Close up of my newest additions 2 purple rain BTAs.

Left to right rainbow. Rose. Green and purple BTA, rose G&P and more rainbows. The rose and rainbow are easier to tell apart under more blue light. The roses have a darker greenish center.
My tank is 300 gallon 96x24x30"T.

 

[dazzler]

My Experience is... Depends if they Have enough room to be happy or not more over the Different Strains / Types..... I Currently only have 1 type of BTA (But I have 20 or So at the Moment), plus 1 Tube Anemone And 3 Different Carpet Anemones (One being about 20in in size)...... I also Previously Had a Haitian Anemone in there for a While until it decided to Take a Trip through my power Head

 

[Sharkbate]

I have a mixed Nano full of Nems. Rose, greens a Ritteri that split and a mini maxi that’s more maxi than mini .....A breeding pair of mixed clowns love it in there ....
never had any problems ..

 

[GoReefin]

I have a mixed Nano full of Nems. Rose, greens a Ritteri that split and a mini maxi that’s more maxi than mini .....A breeding pair of mixed clowns love it in there ....
never had any problems ..

Not really seeing the greens in there but wow beautiful.

 

[DenverSaltyFarm]

most of the high end morphs do not mix well with any other morphs or species in the same tank. I see so many people try and say they are successful for x number of months then it all goes south fast. even mixing a Chicago sunburst with a Colorado sunburst will end up one dying.

Crazy I still see people buying a $1000 anemone and mixing with a $80 rainbow even after all the warning signs are out there ;Wacky