To catch an anemone...

[JustAnt]

My RBTA split about a year ago. I don’t want a 2nd anemone. She’s been stinging my corals and is taking up a lot of space I can use for new coral.

LFS recommended pointing a power head at it in hopes it would move to the glass and I could get her then. That hasn’t worked. Have had a mj1200 power head blowing directly on her for about a yr and she hasn’t moved.

Another LFS recommended surrounding it in pvc pipe in hopes she will go into pipe to move towards the light at other end of pipe. I’m trying that starting today. Here is a pick...

Comments, ideas, or suggestions appreciated.

 

[Coralreefer1]

If that doesn’t work you can try to use a screw driver or similar and try gently breaking the live rock where it is taking up residence. You may be able to break off a piece of the rock where the base is attached. I’ve done this before with success.

 

[Brett S]

It’s an interesting idea. The only thing I would worry about is if the pvc is too close to the rocks and there is no room for water to circulate into the pipe then the water in the pipe could get stagnant.

 

[JustAnt]

It’s an interesting idea. The only thing I would worry about is if the pvc is too close to the rocks and there is no room for water to circulate into the pipe then the water in the pipe could get stagnant.

Because of the unevenness of the rock it’s not a 100% flush fit so I think the water is circulating. But you raise a good point for me to watch out for. Thanks.

 

[PaulPerger]

You could cut some holes in the PVC pipe to allow water to flow through it.

 

[JustAnt]

You could cut some holes in the PVC pipe to allow water to flow through it.

Great idea!

 

[Jay Z]

Ice cube. Run it around the base of it. Should release rather quickly.

 

[Phil D.]

Put a butter knife in the freezer for a while and then touch momentarily to side of foot on and off and it will start to release.

 

[biecacka]

I just went thru this. I took my whole rock to my LFS and he used a band saw to cut off the section the anemone was attached too. We tried ice cubes, fingers, credit cards, and resorted to cutting it. 10 seconds and done.

Corey

 

[CindyKz]

A trick that worked for me once was to take the rock out of the tank and kind of balance it over the top of a bucket of tank water with the tentacles hanging down into the bucket so they just brush the surface of the water. In theory, the 'nem will let go and drop into the water. I did have one stubborn 'nem that hung on for over 4 hours - that's when I pulled out the dremel tool and cut the rock.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Is the rockwork all glues together?

 

[JustAnt]

Yes unfortunately the RBTA is on a part of a large rock structure which is glued together so removing the rock would be very difficult

 

[Jon Fishman]

 

[Leadfooted]

Can you share a top down? What about getting some black plexiglass and making a roof to shield the light. Maybe if you take it's light away he'll follow? Even make black plexi box pace it upside down on the em so it can crawl out but can't get light unless if crawls out.

Usually the cold spoon on the foot works, I feel your frustration.

 

[JustAnt]

Do uptake the rock out of water and then put ice on foot? Or while it’s in the water? The foot is buried deep in the rock

 

[JustAnt]

Ok i tried ice b4 and it did nothing but I just tried ice again and still nothing.

Also tried a frozen spoon and no effect. I start using the spoon to try to scrape the foot off but I think I injured it bc it started ti release a slime. And the foot was so deep I couldn’t get it all so it’s still there.

 

[ChiSox Rabbitfish]

If you could remove the rock and place it upside down in a bucket of water the anemone will let go and fall the the bottom of the bucket that’s how I’ve seen it done a few times it won’t let go right away might take an hour

 

[shred5]

A trick that worked for me once was to take the rock out of the tank and kind of balance it over the top of a bucket of tank water with the tentacles hanging down into the bucket so they just brush the surface of the water. In theory, the 'nem will let go and drop into the water. I did have one stubborn 'nem that hung on for over 4 hours - that's when I pulled out the dremel tool and cut the rock.

When attached to a rock this is the only thing that has worked for me.

You have to grab the rock when the Anemone is fully expanded, if deflated they wont release. It is the weight of the water that makes them slowly release.
I have tried the other methods and no go unless on the glass.

 

[ChiSox Rabbitfish]

Unless it’s a large rock obviously

 

[Leadfooted]

What about lowering your water level so it stays out of water for a long period of time? Add air pump and flow to remaining water in Display. Leave it as long as possible and see if release it's foot to crawl down.

Never mind, I thought the one you didn't want was up top. Now I realize it's under that PVC rig lol