Removing nems with feet hidden in cracks?

[Dominic Giusti]

Okay, I have 2 beautiful pink nems that are definitely worth some $$. I'm breaking down my tank and get them off. Any ideas?

 

[ausram]

Okay, I have 2 beautiful pink nems that are definitely worth some $$. I'm breaking down my tank and get them off. Any ideas?

someone online had the same problem, If i remember correctly he pointed his koralia at it for 5-10 minutes until it got so uncomfortable it let go of the rock and he was able to net it out

 

[oredith]

i have had terrible luck with getting mine off the rock, but here's some suggestions that have been passed to me in the past:

• point a powerhead at the nem. the idea is that the high flow will irritate it and it'll want to move
• pick the rock out of the water, and slowly pry at the foot to work it off
• place a cup over the nem, small enough size so that the nem won't be able to open up, it'll move to get out
• try placing the rock under shade, so that it'll have to move to get to the light

i've tried the first 2 to no real avail (i was kind of a wuss with #2 though, and gave up pretty quick).

good luck..

 

[Reefomeez]

It'll take some time but you can hold the rock upside down over the water and it'll eventually let go. Another option is to just break the rock so you don't actually have to remove them from it. It's likely in trying to break the rock that it'll let go anyways.

 

[thresher]

I've heard that placing an icecube in a ziplock bag and rubbing the feet of the nem will cause it to let go of the rock. This is assuming you can get to the foot of the nem.

 

[Jhuneke]

+1 .. hanging is the only way I've found to remove them once they are in a crevice..I Use a bowl of tank water,and use 2 wooded spoons laid across the bowl to set the rock on( nem facing down) and just splash it with water every couple min to keep wet..only had to smash a rock one,since the buyer was in a hurry Good luck

It'll take some time but you can hold the rock upside down over the water and it'll eventually let go. Another option is to just break the rock so you don't actually have to remove them from it. It's likely in trying to break the rock that it'll let go anyways.

 

[Kimle]

Try using the metal knife. The cold metal might make the feet release.

This worked for me in removing mushrooms from rocks.

 

[Six2seven]

The only thing that has ever worked for me is hanging a rock upside down.

Hang a rock upside down out of water. Place it above a bowl with water. with the anemone upside down let the tentacles touch the water in the bowl. It will realize there is water below him and will let go of the rock.
Nothing else is needed except about an hour of your time. I have tried using ice and frozen spoons but all that does is make him retract and hold its footing.

 

[Reefomeez]

+1 .. hanging is the only way I've found to remove them once they are in a crevice..I Use a bowl of tank water,and use 2 wooded spoons laid across the bowl to set the rock on( nem facing down) and just splash it with water every couple min to keep wet..only had to smash a rock one,since the buyer was in a hurry Good luck

That's such a smart idea with the spoons. My dumb self just got muscle pains from holding the stinkin rock over the water, lol.

 

[oredith]

That's such a smart idea with the spoons. My dumb self just got muscle pains from holding the stinkin rock over the water, lol.

work smarter, not harder..

though typically i just work harder - with a beer in hand..

 

[Six2seven]

That's such a smart idea with the spoons. My dumb self just got muscle pains from holding the stinkin rock over the water, lol.

or you can use a smaller bowl lol

 

[lowbudget]

he likes it hard

work smarter, not harder..

though typically i just work harder - with a beer in hand..

 

[oredith]

he likes it hard

i hear lube helps

 

[dbone]

i hear lube helps

So what are we trying to remove again? lol