Does anything eat anemones?

[Carterfish]

I currently have a Maroon clown but am thinking of getting rid of him and buying a couple anemones and a pair of clowns instead. I do worry about the anemone though because I have some fairly large emerald crabs in the tank. Other tank mates are flame angel, Naso tang, blue jaw trigger, and a couple wrasses. I’m more so worried about the crabs picking at it. What do you think?

 

[hijinks7]

I'd say keep an eye on the crabs. They can pick at them but its unlikely. My emerald crab lives right under my anemone.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Emeralds won't pester it. Large Angels and Puffers are your common nem predators.

 

[davocean]

No issues w/ any of your livestock.

I'm curious why getting rid of maroon instead of pairing it up?
Keep in mind, maroons will quickly reside in any nem given, natural match or not, while other clowns may not be as eager, so like if the nems you are looking at might most likely be BTA's, some clowns like occs or percs may take longer to recognize them.

 

[Carterfish]

No issues w/ any of your livestock.

I'm curious why getting rid of maroon instead of pairing it up?
Keep in mind, maroons will quickly reside in any nem given, natural match or not, while other clowns may not be as eager, so like if the nems you are looking at might most likely be BTA's, some clowns like occs or percs may take longer to recognize them.

How would I be able to pair it up? I would love to do this if possible. I always thought that the resident clown would become aggressive to later added clowns.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Definitely agree with puffers, non-reef safe ones treat some anemones like a delicacy. Some puffers are fine like the valentini puffer.

 

[davocean]

How would I be able to pair it up? I would love to do this if possible. I always thought that the resident clown would become aggressive to later added clowns.

They can be, and maroons are known to be a little more fussy in this area compared to other clowns, but not like it's super difficult or anything really.
Just make sure you get a very small young male, so about an inch, and introduce in a floating breeder container or acclimation box, petco or foster smith has them for like $8

You can usually tell if your existing is curious or trying to kill it.

Sometimes you get lucky first try, sometimes it takes several tries, ya never know, females sometimes reject certain males for some reason, but if you wish to keep it, definitely try.

If BTA's are your choice anemone, maroons will dive straight in, it's a natural host match for them, but really maroons do seem to accept any nem given

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Some species of sea turtles do:


I feel bad for the poor clownfish..

 

[Carterfish]

They can be, and maroons are known to be a little more fussy in this area compared to other clowns, but not like it's super difficult or anything really.
Just make sure you get a very small young male, so about an inch, and introduce in a floating breeder container or acclimation box, petco or foster smith has them for like $8

You can usually tell if your existing is curious or trying to kill it.

Sometimes you get lucky first try, sometimes it takes several tries, ya never know, females sometimes reject certain males for some reason, but if you wish to keep it, definitely try.

If BTA's are your choice anemone, maroons will dive straight in, it's a natural host match for them, but really maroons do seem to accept any nem given

Thank you for the help.
How long should they be in acclimation box? How will I know if they accept each other?

 

[davocean]

It will vary, sometimes you put new guy in and see existing right away just very curious, and if so I still will leave new guy protected at least the day, let her get used to it.

If less than obvious, if she seems confused, darty, I may leave new guy a few days.

And then sometimes she flashes aggressively, cheek spines flared, it can look quite obvious she wants to kill it.
In that situation I may not even release new guy, or at least have net ready if I think of at least trying.

I've had females flat out refuse the first couple/few tries, I've even had to swap for different males, but eventually took to a male, so it just depends on your luck, and your females attitude.

Their instinct should bring them to wanting a mate at some point eventually, could even happen first try, never know.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Some species of sea turtles do:


I feel bad for the poor clownfish..

Looks like a flesh wound, I'm sure it will be fine ;-).

Those clowns were going to town on the turtles face. Haha looks like he flinched a few times.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Most all butterflies do