How to move Rock Flower Anemone

[SourAngelfish]

I’ve had him for about a year now, when I first got him, he was small. I placed him in the center of my rockwork in my 14g nano. Now, he’s 6” in diameter... I would like to move him to the side, but I fear of tearing his foot. I’ve moved away some of his shelter to see if he will get mad and move, but I’m not sure if it’s working.. Any way to get him out of his hole?

The reason I want to move him is because he’s managed to eat two of my fish (not necessarily recently, but he just keeps growing lol).

 

[James M]

Ice cube method
Pointing a Powerhead at it

 

[reef lover]

Use a piece of pvc tubing to make him crawl out to get to the light.

 

[TheEngineer]

It ate two of your fish? I didn’t think RFAs were aggressive like that.

 

[Katrina71]

Do you mind sharing a pic?

 

[SourAngelfish]

Do you mind sharing a pic?

He’s the green one in the middle

 

[SourAngelfish]

Luckily he moved where I wanted to overnight.
He must have heard my complaints

 

[Katrina71]

Wow! That's a monster!!!

 

[SourAngelfish]

It ate two of your fish? I didn’t think RFAs were aggressive like that.

He somehow grabbed my blenny and neon goby, I think the blenny was already becoming weak with age though.

 

[Katrina71]

I've never seen one that big!!! @Ron Reefman look!!

 

[Nburg's Reef]

They don't have a strong sting so they may have been either sick or dying when he ate them. My fish always swim in and steal food from my rock nems without flinching

 

[nrenn]

Ice cube method

What is the Ice Cube method? Mine moved to the backside of a rock where I can't see it

 

[James M]

You put a ice cube in a sandwich bag and rub the foot area. The coldness will cause to detach

 

[saltyhog]

I have 3 that size and they have never bothered a fish. In fact the fish steal from them so often if I want to feed the RFA's I have to feed the tank first. Bet the fish were ill or already dead.

When they are on the bottom glass(all of mine are attached to the bottom glass at the interface with a rock) I push against the foot with my fingers. Just keep putting pressure and they will eventually let loose.

 

[SourAngelfish]

I have 3 that size and they have never bothered a fish. In fact the fish steal from them so often if I want to feed the RFA's I have to feed the tank first. Bet the fish were ill or already dead.

When they are on the bottom glass(all of mine are attached to the bottom glass at the interface with a rock) I push against the foot with my fingers. Just keep putting pressure and they will eventually let loose.

I think you’re right about the fish, the blenny was acting odd, but I’m not sure with the goby.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've never seen one that big!!! @Ron Reefman look!!

I'm looking!

They don't have a strong sting so they may have been either sick or dying when he ate them. My fish always swim in and steal food from my rock nems without flinching

I have a virtual carpet of RFA's in pvc end caps in the sand at the front of my tank. When I feed the nems (I'm trying to encourage breeding) I turn off all the pumps and use a turkey baster to set food right on them. My fish, shrimp and even my sea cucumber have all wandered in, on and around the nems without issue. But if they are hungry, or a super easy opportunity comes along, they can take advantage of it. One of mine took 4 hours to ingest a cleaner shrimp's molt yesterday!

I have 3 that size and they have never bothered a fish. In fact the fish steal from them so often if I want to feed the RFA's I have to feed the tank first. Bet the fish were ill or already dead.

When they are on the bottom glass(all of mine are attached to the bottom glass at the interface with a rock) I push against the foot with my fingers. Just keep putting pressure and they will eventually let loose.

I've had 1/8" and smaller babies attach to the glass and move their foot just below the sand. We snorkel a site covered with the plain RFA's and there is 1" to 4" of sand covering solid rock and the RFA's set their foot in any hole and will dissapear in the sand if you bother them!

 

[Flipsquad81]

I'm looking!



I have a virtual carpet of RFA's in pvc end caps in the sand at the front of my tank. When I feed the nems (I'm trying to encourage breeding) I turn off all the pumps and use a turkey baster to set food right on them. My fish, shrimp and even my sea cucumber have all wandered in, on and around the nems without issue. But if they are hungry, or a super easy opportunity comes along, they can take advantage of it. One of mine took 4 hours to ingest a cleaner shrimp's molt yesterday!



I've had 1/8" and smaller babies attach to the glass and move their foot just below the sand. We snorkel a site covered with the plain RFA's and there is 1" to 4" of sand covering solid rock and the RFA's set their foot in any hole and will dissapear in the sand if you bother them!

I just added a new little rfa and he's hidden on the underside of a rock where i can't get to him to spot feed him. Do you think he's getting enough nutrients? Would he move on his own if he was starving?

 

[Ron Reefman]

I just added a new little rfa and he's hidden on the underside of a rock where i can't get to him to spot feed him. Do you think he's getting enough nutrients? Would he move on his own if he was starving?

They have a mind of their own. There is no telling if it will decide to move or stay until it dies. The colorful RFAs do not do photosynthesis as well as the ordinary off white, brown and green RFAs from shallow water. So food is an issue.

Is it in a spot where you can use something like a turkey baster and blow some food to it under the rock? I assume you mean it's under some kind of rock ledge and not under a rock sitting in the sand?

If it is at the edge of a rock at the sand, that is a VERY common place for RFAs to set up shop. They like to attach to the rock just below the sand and then can retract into/under the sand when disturbed. But the usually come back up from under the sand is a few minutes to maybe 30 minutes.

I hope that helps?

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

So I've got a new 5gal pico tank in my office and I was an idiot and did not turn the return pump off and put my RFA in a crevice facing the back of the tank. I will not make that mistake twice. Any ideas on how to get this guy out for relocation?

Thanks!