Anemone Plants for Salt Water

Culture

• Anemones need bright light to survive in a saltwater aquarium. They have a symbiotic relationship with Zooxanthellae, a marine algae, which they depend on for food. To photosynthesize, the algae also need bright light. Water containing anemones should have a pH of 8.2 to 8.4 and be kept clear and clean, so you will need to use a protein skimmer regularly. Keeping a moderate current going in the water helps rid the anemone of waste products. Water temperature should range between the mid-70s to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Feeding

• Anemones need trace minerals that you can provide by changing the water frequently or using supplements. They also thrive with extra iron in the water. Solid food consists of shrimp, lance fish, mussels, clams, scallops and other marine organisms, cut in small pieces. Touch the piece of food to the tip of one of the anemone’s tentacles, and it will do the rest. Feeding schedules range from three times a week to every two weeks.

Safety

• Wear rubber, latex or vinyl gloves or cover your hands with plastic bags when handling anemones so you won’t get stung. At first, a sting may not be noticed but it can cause an allergic rash or pain later. As soon as you know you are stung, place the injured area under hot water and then pour vinegar over it to neutralize the toxin.

Varieties

• Anemones come in numerous colors, including white, green, orange, yellow, deep blue, purple, red and pink. Some are shaped like coral or resemble a brain or chrysanthemum. Others have long, tubular tentacles that wave in the water’s current. The easiest anemones to care for are the Condylactus species. Also known as Haitian anemones, they are hardy and inexpensive and come in a range of colors with different-colored tips on their tentacles. They grow to about 6 inches and prefer to bury their base in sand or in a rock crevice for protection, although they also frequently move around the aquarium.