About the difficulties with the keeping of Zodiac anemones
Zodiac anemones are popular and stay small. They come in every imaginable color of the rainbow. Therefore, sooner or later they can be found in almost every saltwater aquarium. Some collect them like stamps. As beautiful as they are, capeing with them isn't always easy.
Are they really as easy to keep as many claim?
Zodiac anemones do not thrive in large carpets in every aquarium. In some home reefs they vegetate and disappear over time.
The question then arises as to why this is so.
Zodiac anemones in particular need constant water parameters (especially a KH value above 7,5 and a salinity that is not too high) and a certain amount of nutrients, which is best ensured by a healthy fish stock. They are extremely sensitive to any change.
Most Zodiac anemones also don't tolerate that much light and thrive best under blue-heavy lighting. Exception: The pastel blue Vice Zoanthus from the Caribbean. These need a lot of light and current.
In addition, they are often victims of various predators such as dance shrimp, woodlice spiders, duckfoot starfish and various snails). Once a predator is dragged in, the entire stock is usually destroyed in a short time.
Are they really that poisonous?
All Zodiac anemones are poisonous. You should never forget that when dealing with them. They contain the poison palytoxin - one of the strongest contact poisons in the world. If you want to fragment them, you have to take certain protective measures (safety goggles, gloves and preferably cut them up under water).
Interesting report. Unfortunately I haven't had too much success with fragmentation so far. Apparently I injure the animals despite careful cutting with a scalpel. I think some species such as Utter Chaos are at least very sensitive, is that possible?
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