how to get an anemone to move?

[jimsflies]

I purchased this maxi mini a week ago. The LFS gave it to me in this plastic container. The anemone was stuck to the side corner of the container. I placed the entire container in my tank when I got home because it didn't seem to want to come free. I waited several days hoping it would move...didn't move. Then I put the container upside down in the tank hoping it would move. Still no change.

Someone suggested they don't like cold water/ice at their feet. So I tried rubbing and ice cube around it's foot. Still no change. As I type this, I have the container surrounded by ice and snow hoping to make the outside cold enough it gets uncomfortable and moves. Going on 15 minutes and still no change.

Any other suggestions?

[Fishbutt]

Hmm... I'd just snip the container, leaving where the anemone's foot is attached then throw it in your tank. It'll move where it wants and when it wants. I wouldn't put snow under its foot... it could shock the thing, then you'll have a dead nem.

[Fishbutt]

I wonder if anemones have hot/cold sensors in their foot.

[jimsflies]

A few peeps said to use ice. Figured the cooling the outside of the container might be a better way to go.

I'd rather try to place it in the tank than let it go where it wants. After all I know where it will be the happiest.

Here is a pic as it looks now...I had to mess with a little with more ice around the foot, but at least now it is looking a bit upset.

[CalmSeasQuest]

I've always been able to move RBTA by gently working your finger between the foot and whatever it's attached to. I've got a bunch of mini-maxis, but I haven't tried to move any of them - I would *think* it would work the same.

It seems it would be much less stressful then the ice method.

[henry hill]

Talk to it Jim, (Come on little Nem, let go, let go)

[Manoj's Reef]

Remove all water from the tray and hold it inverted and it will let go.

[jimsflies]

Yeah, tried the finger method already. Its got a death grip on that container. I'm gonna give it a couple more minutes and then I guess I will try to cut the container. Now that it is retracted, I should be able to cut it pretty close and maybe make a point that I can jam into the live rock so hopefully if it moves off, it will be near the desired spot.

[jimsflies]

So Manoj....your saying let it hang dry until it falls off?

[pjr]

I used that model with mini-carpets and mini-BTAs and they seemed none the worse after it. Never took longer than 5 minutes or so.... would sometimes "help" them come loose after a few minutes by prying them a bit with a plastic pen cap or something like that.