Tips for keeping solitary anemone as a wet pet?

[knifegill]

Thinking of doing a specimen tank with a green anemone alone. I read that they turn white when they live in caves. But then what? If I skimp on lighting and my anemone turns white, is he going to be missing a crucial component of his health? I do have a nice 75 watt 5000k CFL light that ought to work. But if it's not enough, how terrible is that?!

Thinking of a 20 gallon with sand substrate, a chunk of white coral in the middle and hope he perches on it below the light. Probably will do a HOB and small powerhead. Going to end up with amphipods most likely, would they hurt the anemone? I won't need a protein skimmer for one anemone will I?

I found only one care sheet for these and it says they eat about once a week. And because of the metabolism in cold water minimal water changes are necessary, as in 25% per month. But can they live at room temperature? Or my basement stays at about 55ºF all year, that might be better.

 

[makoshoemaker]

I believe they may be photosynthetic, i could be wrong. Just make sure to feed it directly and you should be fine

 

[FLESHY]

I always recommend a skimmer.

An anemone will hardly ever move itself into a location that will hurt it (minus filter intakes).

That being said...I know nothing about this cave dwelling/bleaching habit.

If you did skimp on lighting you would need to make up for it in feeding.

 

[Joao M]

You are asking about anthopleura? (giant green anemonae, I believe is the English common name, but i´m not sure)

If this is the one and you want to keep it green and in good health, a good light is required.

Although it´s a bit controversial if it´s all the green or only part of it, at least "some of" the colour comes from the zooxanthellae that live in the anemonae (in a symbiotic relationship, like happens with corals). And they are photosynthetic organisms.

The zooxanthellae produce sugars that are part of the diet of the anemonae.

Without the light (in a cave), the zooxanthellae will eventually die, and not only its color will fade (up to being totally white) but more important, it will not be able to consume the sugars produced by such organisms.

(+1 on the skimmer recomendation and on having special care with pump intakes... they´re a fatal atraction to anemonae)

 

[knifegill]

Although it´s a bit controversial if it´s all the green or only part of it, at least "some of" the colour comes from the zooxanthellae that live in the anemonae (in a symbiotic relationship, like happens with corals). And they are photosynthetic organisms.
The zooxanthellae produce sugars that are part of the diet of the anemonae.

Bright light it is. Think a 75 watt 5000k CFL on 20 gallons is hot enough?

 

[Joao M]

I think 5000k is "cold" enough (a good temperature of light for anemonae) and the 75w are also good.

 

[BradT85]

What kind of anemone are you talking about?

I think lighting is more important than feeding in most cases. I hear about people who successfully keep anemones with no feeding and proper lighting. I also think 55 degrees would be too cold for most of the species commonly kept.

 

[knifegill]

No, this is a coldwater species. They are said to die at tropical temps. This is not a commonly kept anemone, but I suspect general anemone care with modifications for coldwater biology will suffice. Most sea life around here is quite hardy and accustomed to the extremes that tidal variations and horrid puget sound pollutants can bring. The catch is that I've never kept a marine invert on a large scale before. I mean, I've had amphipods, crabs, bristle worms, barnacles, etc., but nothing quite so majestic as an anemone before. I don't want to learn the dumb way, by watching one slowly die as I scratch my head and beg for help. I want to be ready to spring into action at the first sign of distress.

What kind of anemone are you talking about?

Green anemone.

 

[BradT85]

Oops, sorry. I didn't even know there was a "green anemone", I just figured you were thinking of one of the other green anemones like a GBTA or green carpet or something.

Keep researching and hopefully you get one so you can show it off to us.

 

[Kevin8888]

As far as I know nems need food more then they need light, the light. True the simbiotic zooxanthellae do provide sugars for the anemone, but as far as I know they are not strickly speaking nessisary to the health of the anemone, if fed regularily with a varried diet of fish/inverts etc, then most verieties of nem should thrive with less lighting. Since they can move, if it was detrimental to their health why would they stay in a cave to bleach? Nems are know for moving around untill they find the "perfect spot" to live, so clearly they do not "need" the zooxanthellae though they are a good supliment as a food source.

As for temp/water changes I couldn't say I know little to nothing about cold water nems.