Freedom from shells: Have you kept bubble tip anemones?

Peace River · Jul 5, 2023

Freedom from shells: Have you kept bubble tip anemones?

When you think about invertebrates that don’t have a shell, one of the most popular is the anemone and specifically the bubble tip anemone. They come in an array of colors and shapes and are a favorite for many reef keepers for many reasons including their potential for a symbiotic relationship with clownfish. However, because they can be finicky and a mature tank is recommended, not everyone has successfully kept bubble tip anemones. Please let us know if you have successful kept this invertebrate, if you have any related stories, and share any tips that you have for their care.

Pro Tip: Don’t be surprised if your bubble tip changes size or shape or if it goes for a walk. However, this is a good time to evaluate the lighting, flow, temperature, water parameters, feeding, and potential threats to see if there is a reason for these behaviors.

Photo by @Epic Aquaculture

This QOTD is sponsored by Nutramar: https://www.qualitymarine.com/nutramar/

“Nutramar’s 100% natural food products are used by public aquaria and breeders around the world. They offer superior nutrition to your most finicky and delicate fish and invertebrates.

Gumbies R Us · Jul 5, 2023

Have not currently kept any but plan on keeping some in the future!

Nano_Man · Jul 5, 2023

yep love my anemones

JoJosReef · Jul 5, 2023

Long learning curve to get to where I am with 2 successful BTAs. First failure was a very immature tank with not enough light. Second was a still-too-immature tank with... not enough light. Third was a bit of a mystery: came in tiny and just went into a hole and never came out.

Black widow was a big gamble, but I had a hugely successful office nano with all ocean live rock/sand and good light. It's still alive and growing. Most recent rainbow also went into a more mature tank with much better light and is doing great.

Wait until you have a mature system and really good light and your chances of success will likely be much higher with these animals.

randomfishdude · Jul 5, 2023

Got a green bta pretty early on. About 3 months into my 75 gal. It decided to detach when I was cleaning my guards on the mp40. Got shredded.

I now keep a purple lta in a 80gal I have though.

vetteguy53081 · Jul 5, 2023

Have them and they split regularly for me

i cant think · Jul 5, 2023

Peace River said:
Freedom from shells: Have you kept bubble tip anemones?

When you think about invertebrates that don’t have a shell, one of the most popular is the anemone and specifically the bubble tip anemone. They come in an array of colors and shapes and are a favorite for many reef keepers for many reasons including their potential for a symbiotic relationship with clownfish. However, because they can be finicky and a mature tank is recommended, not everyone has successfully kept bubble tip anemones. Please let us know if you have successful kept this invertebrate, if you have any related stories, and share any tips that you have for their care.

Pro Tip: Don’t be surprised if your bubble tip changes size or shape or if it goes for a walk. However, this is a good time to evaluate the lighting, flow, temperature, water parameters, feeding, and potential threats to see if there is a reason for these behaviors.

Photo by @Epic Aquaculture

This QOTD is sponsored by Nutramar: https://www.qualitymarine.com/nutramar/

“Nutramar’s 100% natural food products are used by public aquaria and breeders around the world. They offer superior nutrition to your most finicky and delicate fish and invertebrates.

I had a gorgeous BTA that was a pale green (It wasn’t bleached but it wasn’t a deep green) with blue tips. Unfortunately I never successfully kept that guy as my CBB decided to turn on it after 6 months. Prior to that though it was loving life.

KingSyn · Jul 5, 2023

I have one that’s recent split, anyone know why or how to make it look more “bubbly” mine are healthy but long stringy arms.

shakacuz · Jul 5, 2023

yes! i have a CSB from thirstysreef (on IG). was a small baby at 2 inches or so. now it seems to be about 4 inches.

peter86 · Jul 5, 2023

I have two many they have multiplied like crazy and r becoming abit of a pest if any one would like to buy any and can collect in Leeds £20 per nem

Sharkie_Conch · Jul 5, 2023

We just added ours in the last couple of months but it seems very happy and one of our clowns immediately took it as a host.

This tank is just under 2 years old and started really tanking off in January so it's exciting. We're definitely glad we waited until we had a mature tank with good lighting because the nem seems quite content!

reefiniteasy · Jul 5, 2023

I have 5 rainbow bubble tips at the moment and one large 12” black widow that will not split for me. It’s not a bad thing, it’s happy, but it would be nice to sell a split and have the extra cash. I regularly sell the RBTAs for good cash. Usually $50-$100 depending on size.

bushdoc · Jul 5, 2023

Yes I did. It took a bit for anemone to get established, but then it became a nuisance growing and multiplying and new ones were moving around to find suitable place destroying lots of other coral on the way.
They kept majano infestation at bay though, so when I removed bubble tip, majanos took over the niche, forcing me to brake the tank Down.
I wonder if I should’ve kept bubble tip?
From my experience I concluded that it is more of a species tank than general mixed reef stuff.

peter86 · Jul 5, 2023

Same as what mine r doing now must have at least 20 started with 2

bushdoc said:
Yes I did. It took a bit for anemone to get established, but then it became a nuisance growing and multiplying and new ones were moving around to find suitable place destroying lots of other coral on the way.
They kept majano infestation at bay though, so when I removed bubble tip, majanos took over the niche, forcing me to brake the tank Down.
I wonder if I should’ve kept bubble tip?
From my experience I concluded that it is more of a species tank than general mixed reef stuff.

Stephen8169301 · Jul 5, 2023

Feed small cut up frozen mysis once a week release slowly into it

Kristopher Conlin · Jul 5, 2023

I have a RBTA that just split into three for me. I have had it for a about a year I believe

I have had really good luck with it staying at the top of its rock structure. I target feed mysis or LRS once a week plus what it catches when I feed the fish.

Troylee · Jul 5, 2023

My heart shape bubbly! Colorado..

zoomonster · Jul 5, 2023

Back around 2000 I bought my first one (and a pair of percs) and before I knew it, I had a tank full. Took a break from the hobby when I moved and sold or gave away everything. I started this tank about 10 years ago and the first occupant were a pair of true Perculas and a RBTA. Between the RBTA's (and best efforts to control them) and an alk crash I eventually lost most of my SPS. I had cleaned out about 2/3 of the tank of RBTA's and then during the pandemic just let it go on autopilot. Well getting serious this time and gotten rid of most so far. I started a 32g tank for RBTA's and clowns and still have maybe 5 left to remove and a clown I have not been able to catch yet. Getting close and I can finish coral placement/remodel of my 200.

Here's big mama in her new home yesterday and below a picture showing more recent and below that the first time they took over. If you have at least moderate-high nutrients and good lighting, they will reproduce like cockroaches. So be careful what you wish for with RBTA's. I have literally removed hundreds in the past 10 years.