RobM76
Community Member
Hi all
I’m UK based, and recently got back into the hobby after quite a few years out. Back in the day, Carpet Nems were my favourite species. I had a 400 gallon mixed reef with a big green Haddoni, and then a 24” cube with green and blue Gigantea. My kids watched ‘Finding Nemo’ again recently, my daughter mentioned getting some ‘Nemos’, my wife said ‘get another tank if you want’, and so 2 weeks later a used RS250 was sat in the kitchen. (Yes, I’m a bit of a daredevil taking a chance on a G1 RS tank! Though it seems sound with good silicone).
It’s a similar story with Gigantea in the UK as the US - they often dont survive shipping, but I was also surprised that they don’t seem very popular anymore. So the tank had been up and running a few months, all stable, few SPS frags doing well and low nutrients being the only issue. An ad popped up on FB for a shop, I clicked through and there were ‘blue carpet Nems’ listed, that looked like Gigs. Curiosity aroused, I messaged the seller and was sent a video of them in baskets at the importers - they looked good, and so a deal was done and I arrange to meet the seller direct from the importer to minimise the transport stages. I never asked how big they were…..
This was early last week, I collected the Nem a week ago and on the way received the message ‘it’s a monster’. It looked pretty big in the bag, and was glad I’d already made the decision to put it straight into the DT due to how it looked in the videos, as QT something that big would be difficult. It’s also extremely difficult to get Cipro in the UK, though I have managed to get some Azithromycin. (Thanks to Orion and Dnak for the superb threads and info on treating Nems - I’ve read them all!).
I got it home, as soon as water started trickling into the bag its tentacles started bristling which was a good sign. In it went, immediately attached its foot and unfolded. Wow, my initial thoughts were ‘what the heck is this thing’ and ‘I’ve now got a species tank!’.
It’s now been a week, and the Gig has given me no cause for worry, even though I do anyway. It hasn’t deflated whatsoever, no discharge from the mouth, nice tan disc and good colour. Its mouth is always slightly open, though if disturbed at all it closes up, so my thoughts are that it’s just a part of acclimatising, plus it’s maybe just what a Gig this size does. Any thoughts/experiences on that are welcome.
I’m thinking of a small harem of Pink Skunk clowns or Occelaris, though it’s only one Nem (even though it’s this big), so I’m still doubtful as to whether it would work.
First photo is of it bathing in the natural sunlight through the window yesterday morning - it looks very purple there, but more blue under the tank lights (an Evergrow 5012pro, which I think are Reefbreeder photon V2 in the US?).
I’m UK based, and recently got back into the hobby after quite a few years out. Back in the day, Carpet Nems were my favourite species. I had a 400 gallon mixed reef with a big green Haddoni, and then a 24” cube with green and blue Gigantea. My kids watched ‘Finding Nemo’ again recently, my daughter mentioned getting some ‘Nemos’, my wife said ‘get another tank if you want’, and so 2 weeks later a used RS250 was sat in the kitchen. (Yes, I’m a bit of a daredevil taking a chance on a G1 RS tank! Though it seems sound with good silicone).
It’s a similar story with Gigantea in the UK as the US - they often dont survive shipping, but I was also surprised that they don’t seem very popular anymore. So the tank had been up and running a few months, all stable, few SPS frags doing well and low nutrients being the only issue. An ad popped up on FB for a shop, I clicked through and there were ‘blue carpet Nems’ listed, that looked like Gigs. Curiosity aroused, I messaged the seller and was sent a video of them in baskets at the importers - they looked good, and so a deal was done and I arrange to meet the seller direct from the importer to minimise the transport stages. I never asked how big they were…..
This was early last week, I collected the Nem a week ago and on the way received the message ‘it’s a monster’. It looked pretty big in the bag, and was glad I’d already made the decision to put it straight into the DT due to how it looked in the videos, as QT something that big would be difficult. It’s also extremely difficult to get Cipro in the UK, though I have managed to get some Azithromycin. (Thanks to Orion and Dnak for the superb threads and info on treating Nems - I’ve read them all!).
I got it home, as soon as water started trickling into the bag its tentacles started bristling which was a good sign. In it went, immediately attached its foot and unfolded. Wow, my initial thoughts were ‘what the heck is this thing’ and ‘I’ve now got a species tank!’.
It’s now been a week, and the Gig has given me no cause for worry, even though I do anyway. It hasn’t deflated whatsoever, no discharge from the mouth, nice tan disc and good colour. Its mouth is always slightly open, though if disturbed at all it closes up, so my thoughts are that it’s just a part of acclimatising, plus it’s maybe just what a Gig this size does. Any thoughts/experiences on that are welcome.
I’m thinking of a small harem of Pink Skunk clowns or Occelaris, though it’s only one Nem (even though it’s this big), so I’m still doubtful as to whether it would work.
First photo is of it bathing in the natural sunlight through the window yesterday morning - it looks very purple there, but more blue under the tank lights (an Evergrow 5012pro, which I think are Reefbreeder photon V2 in the US?).
Finding Nemo family vibes turning into a species tank in two weeks? Legend status unlocked. That “what the heck” unfold moment is pure carpet nem magic—they’re like alien overlords claiming your scape instantly.
