Cardinal fish hosting in Nem? Is this a Doomed union??

Passedyouby · Mar 29, 2020

I picked up a super bleached Nem 2 weeks ago. He has been slowing coloring up and responding to feedings etc. HOWEVER over the past couple days my bengai cardinal has decided to hose with him.

Once the nem comes back to his full self, is he going to make a meal out of him?..

lapin · Mar 30, 2020

Maybe, maybe not

Copingwithpods · Mar 30, 2020

I think I remember seeing a documentary on their invasiveness and saw them hosting in anemones, long spine urchins and sea fans. From what I saw it was mostly juveniles and loners doing this so it might be a product of him being in there by himself and resorting to a behavior he knows provides protection from predation.

Passedyouby · Mar 30, 2020

Hmm. Interesting.

I bought three from a LFS. Didnt tell me that had been shipped in that same day! 2 of the three died in the first 72 hours. He's been a loaner, but happy for 6 months up until now.

Copingwithpods · Mar 30, 2020

I don't think anything bad will come of it other than he won't be out and about

Passedyouby · Mar 30, 2020

Will the nem develop a sting as he colors up?

Copingwithpods · Mar 30, 2020

As far as I know they don't lose them only the algae with in them, even a completely bleached anemone can sting the only difference being a bleached anemone will take much longer to replace them than a healthy one as it lacks the energy given to it by its algae.

jreefier · Mar 30, 2020

Passedyouby said:
I picked up a super bleached Nem 2 weeks ago. He has been slowing coloring up and responding to feedings etc. HOWEVER over the past couple days my bengai cardinal has decided to hose with him.

Once the nem comes back to his full self, is he going to make a meal out of him?..

I believe cardinals are known to host in anemones in the wild so it should be perfectly fine.

35ppt · Mar 30, 2020

Copingwithpods said:
I think I remember seeing a documentary on their invasiveness and saw them hosting in anemones, long spine urchins and sea fans. From what I saw it was mostly juveniles and loners doing this so it might be a product of him being in there by himself and resorting to a behavior he knows provides protection from predation.