Strawberry anenome???

Question

I bought a strawberry anenome a few weeks ago and since then i have had 2 shrimp die (one i found the anenome eating) and 2 other anenomes have died. is the strawberry anenome killing them or is it just coincidence. He is really small he is about the size of a half dollar maybe smaller more like a quarter.

Answer 1

There are a few species on anemones that are called strawberries. It's very possible the anemone is killing the others. If they are close enough, it could be stinging them if the tentacles can reach each other. Also, most corals andd anemones produce chemicals that keep other similar organisms from living too closeby to keep them from competing for food.

It's also possible that your lighting may not be bright enough for any of the anemones, especially is the ones that died were older than the strawberry and you didn't have them for more than a few months. Anemones have a photosynthetic algae inside their cells that produce some of their food - withouth intense enough light for photosynthesis to take place, the anemone can starve. And the water temperature, if you do have compact fluorescent or better lighting may be warming the water enough that the anemone is expelling the algae and dying as a result if your water temperature is consistantly over 84o.

Answer 2

If you don't have a clown fish with the anenome, it is definately the anenome that's killing the other fish. Clown fish bring the fish food to the anenome. You must get a clown fish.