How Long Does It Take an Anemone to Attach?

Attachment times will vary with the individual, and with the stress of moving to a new tank, some anemones will not attach right away. Anemones move when they aren't satisfied with their environment, so having the right materials for attachment, the correct water flow, good quality lighting and a healthy anemone are all crucial to good attachment.

  1. How Long Should It Take

    • Anemones will attach when they've found an environment that satisfies their needs. If you have a perfectly balanced tank and place the anemone on the type of substrate he prefers, this may take as little as five minutes, although different individuals will settle in at different times. Some species, such as the carpet anemone, are a little more picky, and may spend a few days exploring the tank before settling on a spot. Regardless of the species, if attachment takes longer than a week, it's time to look at your tank parameters.

    The Right Substrate

    • There are a multitude of different anemone species, and as such there are a number of different materials an anemone may prefer to use for attachment. Carpet anemones prefer to bury their foot in a sandy substrate and attach directly to the bottom of the aquarium glass. Long-tentacled anemones prefer to attach in the crevice of a rock. Rock flower anemones prefer a solid substrate like rock or aquarium glass, and bubble tip anemones prefer a solid substrate with a hole or crevice. Taking some time to determine what substrate your species of anemone prefers will greatly speed the attachment process.

    Water Flow

    • The anemone's tentacles should wave gently in the current.

      Low to moderate water flow will allow your anemones to get the oxygen they need from the water and may carry more food into their reach. More powerful motors, like powerheads and prop pumps can be too strong for anemones, either throwing them around the tank or sucking them into the intake with fatal consequences. Turn off your powerheads for 24 hours to allow your new anemones to attach safely, and keep them blocked with a sponge filter to prevent dangerous mishaps in the future. The wrong water flow is one of the most common reasons anemones choose to move around the tank.

    Light Quality

    • Anemones have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae algae, allowing them to get much of their energy from photosynthesis. This means that a good quality of light is crucial to their survival. A compact fluorescent system should be enough to support the energy production of these algae. A lack of adequate light may cause an anemone to wander in search of better conditions.

    Health of the Anemone

    • An unhealthy or injured anemone may have difficulty attaching. When shopping for an anemone, look for a firm attachment to the aquarium wall or substrate, a closed mouth and a good coloration, as bleaching occurs without enough light in the tank. Watch carefully as he is removed from the tank, since this process may injure the anemone and make him unable to form a new attachment.

    Attachment Issues

    • Thoroughly research your specific species of anemone so you can give him everything he needs to thrive. Do not touch new anemone during the first week, and don't be concerned if he doesn't feed for several weeks of adjustment. If your anemone has not attached within a week, try gradually changing your tank parameters to make it more anemone friendly.