From: wissler@stsci.edu
Subject: Re: (M) Killer Anemone : ( + Coral Q.
Followup-To: rec.aquaria
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 13:38:25 GMT

In article <19269@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu>, putzolu@toadflax.cs.ucdavis.edu (David Putzolu) writes:
> The situation: I was cleaning the tank (had finished siphoning crud,
> cleaning front glass) & noticed a snail that had been where he was
> for over a day. Decided to move him in case he was stuck. Reached
> for snail. All the fish in the tank were unsettled by this huge arm
> thing in their tank, fled to their usual spot. Chocolate clown nestled
> into his anemone. As I reached the snail, I slightly nudged a piece
> of live rock, which slightly nudged the anemone. Suddenly anemone is
> 1/8 its previous size & clown is gone but for the tip of his tail!!!
> To make a sad story short, the anemone ate the clownfish that had 
> been its companion for two short weeks. :( :( :(
> Now, to compound things, the Royal Gramma has taken it upon itself
> to revenge the clown and is nipping at the anemone. :(
> 
> The question: Is my anemone a 'rogue' anemone that eats clownfish?
> Can anemones develop a taste for clowns? I don't know the species,
> but it looks almost exactly like the anemone on the cover of FAMA
> Nov 92, except that the lighter stripes extend up the tentacles as
> well. The trunk is whitish at the top (near the disc) and darkens
> to a orange-red at the base (foot?). Is this just a freak 
> occurrence & it is safe to get another anemonefish, or should I
> leave this anemone without one?
> 
	I believe the clownfish is normally "immune" to the anemone
	because of a protective coating it builds up by initially
	rubbing up against the tentacles. If a clown darts into
	an anemone prior to building up this protection, or if the
	protective coating is lost the clown can be eaten by the
	anemone. In your case it sounds like the anemone was spooked
	into closing up and the clownfish just happend to get in the
	way.

> On a cheerier note, I believe I am ready to add some coral to my
> reef system. All the essential readings have reached excellent
> levels (Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate zero, calcium 500, SG 1.245, pH 8.2)
> and the various stuff on the liverock is all sprouting new shoots,
> tentacles, leaves, etc. I would like to know some good coral that
> could like in the following light levels:
> 40G tank, 6-12" between rock & surface.
> 2 40W 50/50's
> 1 20W blue moon (similar to actinic blue)
> 1 20W ultralume
> 1 20W plant grow light
> NO metal halide
> 
> Are there corals that would do well with excellent water quality and
> the above light levels? Tetra's Marine Invert book isn't very clear
> about required light levels, and it is the only resource I currently
> have on the matter.
> 
	I have 2 40 wat ultralimes, 1 40W blue moon and 1 40 wat actinic 03.
	I have had an open brain coral and a giant clam for about 8 months 
	and they are doing great. I recently purchased a bubble coral and
	a hammer coral. They appear to be doing fine with the current lighting.

> Thanks for the answers!
> 
> | David M. A. Putzolu               | putzolu@cs.ucdavis.edu               |
> | Senior, CS & Psych, U.C. Davis    | op disclaimer(opinion : ptr mine)    |
> | "Put your hand on the TV screen and repeat after me: I do hereby promise |
> | only to watch the Ren & Stimpy show,  to make underleg noises during the |
> | good scenes,  to wear unwashed lederhosen  every single day  of the rest |
> | of my life! That's it! You are in our secret club!"                      |
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