Care
The Atlantic Anemone, sometimes referred to as the Condy Anemone, is a frequently imported species from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic. It prefers a mature reef type environment with live rock, but is not suited to every set up due to its tendency to sting and damage sessile invertebrates and it is a species that is known to slowly roam around the tank to see if it is able to better its position. It is much less likely to roam if it is initially placed in a favourable area; try placing it in a rocky crevice (so that its body is protected, but from where it can easily extend its tentacles to feed) and where it can also receive powerful lighting and moderate current. Unlike many anemones, there are only a handful of species that associate with this particular species, including the Banded Clinging Crab (Mithrax cinctimanus), Diamond Blenny (Malacoctenus bohlkei), Sexy Shrimp (Thor amboinensis), and several of the Periclimenes anemone shrimps. The Atlantic Anemone is not a natural host for clownfish, and introducing the two together is fraught with risk and not recommended. In the confines of the aquarium (and in addition to corals etc being at risk from the Atlantic Anemone) placid fish species such as mandarins, firefish etc are likely to be grasped by the anemone overnight, and will be consumed " the chances being greater if swimming space is a bit tight. Much care must be taken when considering tankmates, as so many are unsuitable. A biotope type setting with some of the aforementioned natural symbionts is perhaps the best option. This species shows quite diverse colour variations; the base colour can be anywhere between white-brown, and the tentacles may or may not have green or purple tips. Sometimes these tips may appear bulbous, although this trait seems to be less obvious in captive specimens. It is vitally important to cover powerhead intakes with coarse foam to ensure that these anemones cannot be drawn in whilst wandering around the aquarium.
Feeding
A healthy Atlantic Anemone should be fed two or three times per week with meaty foods that are smaller than its mouth size. Shrimp, mussel, silversides, lancefish, smelt etc should be cut/shredded to the appropriate size before feeding and offered to the anemone with a pair of tongs. If the pieces of food are too large, the anemone may regurgitate them, and they could even cause the animal internal damage. Keep the pieces small, and for added health benefits, soak the food in a vitamin supplement before feeding.
Breeding
Atlantic Anemones can reproduce sexually or asexually (the latter by bilateral fission). This is not a common occurrence in the home aquarium.
