Would you risk it? Adding a Mertensi with favorite fish?

[Seancj]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 12" Mertensi anemone. However, I'm hesitant to add this, not because of it's potential size (I've got a 360 gallon, 96"x36"x24" tall), but because I have a couple of fish that are favorites, raised from tiny juveniles, that are precious to me. These being a Regal Angel, a female Bellus Angel, and a Christmas Island Flame Angel. They are now between 3" and 4" long.
The concern being the sting and stickiness of the Mertensi. I have read every thread here on R2R pertaining to Mertensi and it appears that they are not quite as risky as a Haddoni.
These angels have grown up avoiding my 15+ Magnifica, several LTA's, a few sebae crispa, and a minefield of BTA's, so they are "environmentally aware". :)
Is this nem too high a risk for these fish, even given the tank is large with plenty of space to avoid it?
Thanks for the opinions/advice!

 

[D-Nak]

It's a calculated risk. Since mertensii like to live in the rockwork (versus haddoni that live in the sand) fish that cruise along the rockwork can definitely become a meal if they're not careful.

 

[Seancj]

It's a calculated risk. Since mertensii like to live in the rockwork (versus haddoni that live in the sand) fish that cruise along the rockwork can definitely become a meal if they're not careful.

I believe you have had a few Mertensi in the past. This would be my first. Are they as sticky as Haddoni? Did you lose any fish to your specimens? I'm so torn! I'd love to get one for more nem diversity, but I also don't want to lose my angels.

 

[D-Nak]

I believe you have had a few Mertensi in the past. This would be my first. Are they as sticky as Haddoni? Did you lose any fish to your specimens? I'm so torn! I'd love to get one for more nem diversity, but I also don't want to lose my angels.

I only had one and it wasn't for very long. Unless it's brightly colored, I'd pass. Most specimens turn into a drab brown as they get bigger and they take up a ton of space. In terms of stickiness, I'd rate them the same as any other carpet anemone. Since they have shorter tentacles than magnifica, I'd actually consider them "safer" since the fish would have to get closer to it, but the risk is always there, especially if something spooks the fish and they try to dart into the rockwork and accidentally run into the merts.

 

[backbayreef]

My Haddoni had a very expensive dinner a few months ago. With any carpet nem, the risk is there so why do it? I've since moved all Haddoni's to a species-only tank (eh with zero fish) so can really sleep at night. If it were me, I would pass on the Mertensii unless I'm willing to accept that any of the fish may go missing.

 

[A real man]

Its all about how much risk it is and if your in the right situation to take it

 

[Seancj]

Unless it's brightly colored, I'd pass. Most specimens turn into a drab brown as they get bigger and they take up a ton of space.

Thanks for the replies everyone! I know it goes against the popular advice, but I'm going to risk it. I kinda feel guilty as I asked the seller to hold it for me several days ago. If I can't sleep at night, I'll move it out to the 55 gallon refugium.
This is the specimen:

 

[mkpetersen]

Good lord. That's beautiful.

 

[ieatbugman]

I can see why you want it. hopefully it doesn't get your fish!!!

 

[Seancj]

This Mertensi comes in Thursday morning. Quick question: if its flow and light requirement are met, is there any reason why it wouldn't secure its foot on the back glass of the tank and remain there in that general vicinity?
I'm thinking to try and get it to seat itself up high on the back glass in an area that I have noticed most fish don't frequent, top right corner of the tank, in hopes of significantly decreasing the chances of accidental capture.
I know they are rock dwelling, but do they prefer securing their foot in a crevasse like BTA's and some gigantea, or do they prefer a flat rock surface like Magnifica?

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

I personally would just put it in the 55 right from the start….

 

[D-Nak]

This Mertensi comes in Thursday morning. Quick question: if its flow and light requirement are met, is there any reason why it wouldn't secure its foot on the back glass of the tank and remain there in that general vicinity?
I'm thinking to try and get it to seat itself up high on the back glass in an area that I have noticed most fish don't frequent, top right corner of the tank, in hopes of significantly decreasing the chances of accidental capture.
I know they are rock dwelling, but do they prefer securing their foot in a crevasse like BTA's and some gigantea, or do they prefer a flat rock surface like Magnifica?

It might attach to the glass, but I suspect it'll only be temporary. Merts like to attach their foot to the rockwork, much like a gigantea, and unlike a mag that typically likes flat surfaces. I still find it fascinating that something without a brain is picky about where it plants its foot.