Getting an anemone off a rock

[Danielj]

How do I get my BTanemone off of the rock it is attached to? I purchased it when it was about 6 inches in diameter. Not is has at least doubled it and is laying over my mushrooms, and button polyps. I think it is attached to the very same rock as the polyps, so if I do something to the anemone it has to be safe for soft coral. I am going to take it off and try to sell it. Thanks

 

[Serk]

Getting an anemone off a rock can be VERY tricky...

Few things to try:

Put an ice cube alone the base of the foot, trying to irritate the anemone to release.

Use a low power powerhead to blow a stream of water at the base of the foot, trying to get the stream to go UNDER the foot, between the anemone and the rock. Be very careful, this CAN damage the foot and hurt/kill the anemone.

Share the anemone, encouraging it to move to a better position, and get it while it's moving, and thus less well attached to the rock.


If possible, the best solution would be to sell the anemone with the rock it's on included, and just use the money to replace the rock and any other corals on the same rock...

Good luck!

 

[Danielj]

@Serk wrote:

I would do that, but it is a 25lb + rock totally covered with button polyps, and metalic green mushrooms. I doubt anyone would pay what it would cost to replace that big of a rock + softies and purchase the 16" + bubble tip anemone. That gets expensive fast.

Is there anything I can do to "slightly" irritate it into moving so I can maybe get it on a smaller rock? I want to stay as far away from injuring it as possible.

So does the ice cube method hurt it, or just irritate?
Thanks

Edit: AHH sorry you said "share" when you meant "shade", I just put 2 and 2 together! i will try to shade it and see what happens.

 

[Serk]

D'oh! Bad place for a typo, eh? Yeah, shade it...

That's probably the least invasive method...

Also, moving smaller rocks near it's foot to move on to...