Freedom from shells: Have you kept bubble tip anemones?

[zoomonster]

Oh, and to prove I'm a glutton for punishment I'm getting a green one on Friday to mix up the new tank LOL. Other than early 90's when I had some nasty, fish eating/hand stinging, Atlantic anemones this is the first anemone that wasn't an RBTA.

 

[LPS Bum]

I have a couple of green BTAs in my reef. Had them for years. They do well under my ReefLED 90s, at the top of the rock work in a decent amount of flow. They haven't moved in a very long time and have survived multiple tank moves. Nice to see their fat, bubbly tentacles wave around in the current.

Unfortunately I've been a little too successful with them, as they've split about 10 times over the years. I take the extra ones to my LFS and give them away. Don't want a dozen anemones rolling around my reef.

 

[Dorinda]

Love the motion in the tank. I also have sold a couple of rocks full of them for 300.00+ . Bonus!

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

My first BTA comes in the mail tomorrow.

I am excited

 

[Minifoot77]

I have had some in the past that died and I bought 5 and have 9 now but they aren't in their correct tank so I said other...

 

[SaltyCabbage]

I’ve kept a few and absolutely love them! Currently rainbows are my favorite, hope to get a sunburst sometime this year!

Love the speckled pattern on this one!

 

[Aspect]

Got a small RBTA in a package deal about 6 months or so back. Haven't touched/fed it since it has been in my tank. It has since split into 4 other anemones all looking healthy and still retaining their "bubble" appearance.

 

[topjimmy]

They grow like a weed in my tank, I've given away lots of them, and they just replace them. Had the original for probably 15 years or more.

 

[littlefoxx]

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.

Ive got 5-7!! My nems walk around all the time even after messing with lights, so I just let them do their thing! Beautiful creatures and one of my favorite inverts!

 

[Joe.D]

Here’s my first BTA - got it in mid-May and looks like it’s doing well. Still in the same spot where I originally dropped him in.

So far, no interest from the clowns. The Bangaii seem interested but haven’t gone in. They are always hanging around it though.

My DT is about 75gallons and has been up and running for a little over a year now.

 

[zmax]

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.

I just got one a few days ago. Is it possible to have way to much light? It seems to close up during the day when the light ramps up and and night when the light goes off. But in the early morning and late afternoon its completely out. Im just not sure if its still acclimating to my tank and schedule cause its only about 3-4 days old.

 

[RichReef]

I had some that started to multiply and grow so fast it became obvious they were going to take over. I ended up removing the rocks they were on and giving them away. They just became too much for the time I willing to invest in them. I did really like them though. I've moved on to the LTA and it's a great anemone although it is now the size of a basketball. But I'm cool with that.

 

[unchaotic]

I'm one of the few people in my town that is actively growing SPS. I may also be the only one who can't keep an RBTA alive.

 

[mdanchqst]

I just got my first Chicago sunburst BTA and a RBTA a few weeks ago. They are slowly moving out of the caves they found and are now reaching towards the lights. I'm feeding them every other day and they seem to be very happy.

 

[BionicReef73]

I have had the mother nem going on 3 years not she has spit 3 times and all are healthy and growing up

 

[GDiaz]

I currently have a colorado sunburst, a rose bubble tip and one small one that I don’t know the name of. They are doing good, BUT my only issue is color. If anyone knows how I can color them up better please share. The Colorado sunburst was my first which almost died on me. I was able to save it but the color has not returned the way I first got it. For now I keep the small one in an isolation box because it wondered under a rock.

 

[Sump Crab]

 

[maxfund]

Our RBTAs are beautiful. They have multiplied a few times.

 

[BionicReef73]

I honestly believe the success in having one that thrives is a stable and mature tank to begin with. My nem really didn't explode in growth until about the 1 year mark.

 

[GDiaz]

Our RBTAs are beautiful. They have multiplied a few times.

What do you feed? The colors are beautiful!