Anem IDF 34

FAQs on Anemone Identification 34

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Anemone Success
Doing what it takes to keep Anemones healthy long-term

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Need help identifying anemone -- 03/18/10
I've attached three pictures of a strange anemone. It lives in the sand at about the 10 foot depth, and is usually covered with sand during the day (see picture #1), although sometimes I can see it, especially in the late afternoon. At night it comes a little above the sand and looks like picture #2. When my dive light attracts a worm or small fish to the anemone, it closes up as in picture #3.
These pictures were taken on Bari Reef on Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles.
It is about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Any idea of what it is?
Thanks,
Marge Lawson
<I've been to Bonaire a few times... it is a treasure for divers... but have not seen this beautiful anemone (though do occasion Cerianthus in the shallow sands... in about the same environment, quite often). I've looked in my references, on the Net, and I can't place this animal. I would send your images along to Daphne Fautin (Hexacorallians of the world .com) in the hope that she might know, or be able to find you someone who does. Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner>

Mystery anemone? -- 3/14/10
Dear Crew,
As always, thank you for all your help.
Today I have a question about a critter that came into my life through a macroalgae shipment (see attached picture).
<Mmm, can you tell me/us where this macroalgae shipment originated? Looks macroscopically like it might be a temperate species of the genus Actinia (tenebrosa? or maybe Phymanthea pluvia...>
At the beginning, I thought it was some sort of pest anemone (and perhaps still is!), but I put it aside for later observation before disposal.
The more I looked at it, the more I become taken by its microscopic beauty, especially those lips and its playful symmetry. Unfortunately, I still cannot ID it, and therefore it has been confined to a little container in my refugium. Any ideas on what it might be?
<Not with any confidence... though I do agree w/ you, tis a beauty>
Do you think it could be harmful to my reef?
<Possibly... if it proliferated, ended up too many, too close to other sedentary invertebrate life>
grateful for your great service,
Vivian
<Thank you for sharing. Perhaps someone will "chime in" on posting this on WWM w/ a better ID. Bob Fenner>

Re: mystery anemone? 3/14/10
Thank you Bob.
The macroalgae shipment was from Gulf Coast Ecosystems, an outfit in Florida that aquacultures a great diversity of macroalgae and harvest them from the gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
will keep looking,
<I would send your excellent images to them for their input.>
Thanks again,
Vivian
<Welcome. BobF>

Ask the WWM Crew a Question... A joke? 3/8/10
Can you help me tell what kind of anenome this is.
<Dying>
I got him a few days ago and sometimes he attaches and opens up but most of the time he just kinda floats around
<...>
sometimes he looks like he is pulled everything inside and turned into a little white ball. I have a 55 gallon tank with 2 clown fish and him, also 10 pounds of live rock, 40 pounds crushed coral. Canister filter. 1.024 salt, fairly new which i now no was to early for anenome but... i did put a small piece of krill on him and he grabbed it and am pretty sure he ate it.
Does he look healthy???
<... are you joking? Have you searched on the site/WWM re?>
Just need to know what kind he is so I can do better research and try and make him happy.
<Should have done this/that ahead of purchasing this animal... Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Nick

Re: Ask the WWM Crew a Question 3/8/10
Not very helpfull bob. "dying" does not tell me what kind he is.
<Am hoping this/it will spur you on to investigate yourself>
Also, now I know I should have researched first.
<Ah, yes>
Fish store (Petco) person asked me what some of my levels in my tank were and said it would be fine,
<...>
I was only there to buy 2 clowns. I NOW know this to be wrong! Just trying to do evrything I can to help him survive. And what do you mean by <... are you joking? Have you searched on the site/WWM re?>
>Am/was really wondering. Who would send such a ludicrous message, really? I thought you were trying to pull my/our fins<
I have looked some more and think he is a seabe. I just took new readings they are as follows. Salt 1.022
<... too low... "Had you read...">
temp 78 amm.1 kh 240 gh 180 no3 60 no2 1. All I wanted was a FOWLR should I just "get rid" of the Anenome.
<Is that a question or a bald statement?>
Thanks again,
Nick
<Again, are you serious? Show me evidence of your working here... fill this room w/ your intelligence. B>
Re: Ask the WWM Crew a Question 3/8/10
Ok maybe asking you guys thes questions was a mistake. Obvisouly I am not at very knowledgeable about any of this. Like I said earlier all I wanted was a fowlr tank. The pet store said the anemone would be fine in my tank.
Guess not.
<Correct>
I was wondering if I should try and give it to a better locally owned pet store here that specializes in fish.
<I would return this animal to Petco>
I have done a lot of research over the past few days And found out my tank is way to <too> new for anemones. Only five days old.
<Too soon for most any/everything>
two clown fish seem to be doing fine. if there is anything I can do to save him I will otherwise I will try and give him away.
<Return it>
I really appreciate any help In this matter. I have also signed up for a class on marine aquariums at my community college.
<Ahh, very good>
Thanks.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
<From my land line conn. B>
Re: Ask the WWM Crew a Question 3/8/10
Already called petco they have a no return policy.
<Mmm, I think the law in every State in the U.S. says otherwise. Ask to speak with the store mgr., and if they won't comply, ask for the Regional Mgr.. And if not them, call corporate in San Diego. You are welcome to mention my name. Really>
The local store where I got the clowns said I could add two fish every month. Does this sound right.
<No my friend... best for you to peruse a good general book on marine aquarium keeping. Martin Moe's re-do is recently out. Bob Fenner>
Re: Ask the WWM Crew a Question 3/9/10
Thanks, ordered the book. Will stop everthing till I have read that and finished the four week course.
<Outstanding! Be chatting, BobF>

Heteractis Malu Or Heteractis Crispa/Anemone ID 3/3/10
Hey guys,
<Tyler>
Love your site and books!
<Thank you!>
Great resources, I'd be lost without them.
On to the anemone.
I thought it was a Crispa, but after reading your Malu section there were some similar pictures to mine..... Now I'm confused.
Is it a Heteractis Malu or Heteractis Crispa?
<After looking through Mr. Fenner's anemone scans, it looks more like a Magnifica/Ritteri (photo attached), and a very difficult specie to keep alive for any length of time. Mmm, what color is the column?><<Mmm, am pretty sure... 95% confidence limit, that this is a H. crispa here. RMF>>
Thanks
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Tyler

crop

re: More re: Heteractis Malu or Heteractis Crispa? -- 3/3/10
Thanks Bob, looked like a dead ringer compared to one of your Magnifica photos. Looked like the Crispa has longer, slightly thinner tentacles in comparison to the Magnifica, but I'm not going to argue with experience. What traits led you to your ID....very interested to know for future reference.
<Mmm, Magnificent's don't have "pink tips", but do agree that for a leather, this specimen has a BUNCH of tentacles. Cheers, BobF>
James
Re Heteractis Malu Or Heteractis Crispa/Anemone ID 3/3/10
Hi James,
<Tyler>
It is all the same color through out, a beige brown with bright tips on the tentacles. Its attached itself to a rock very well and hasn't moved yet.
<After talking with Bob re the ID, he would bet his last beer that your anemone is a Crispa. It is unusual that a Crispa would prefer anchoring to the rock rather than burrow into the sand, unless it just appears to you that he is anchored to the rock.
The giveaway in ID'ing was that Magnifica's do not have pink tips.
Regardless, Heteractis species are difficult to maintain in captive systems.>
Thanks
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Tyler

mini carpet anemones, ID, pests? 2/23/2010
Hello WWM,
<Hi Erika>
After Googling many pictures, I think I got what appears to be a mini carpet anemone as a hitchhiker on a rock about 1 year ago, but now they have multiplied like crazy.
<Really? Unusual. Can you provide pictures of these? I doubt if these are Carpet Anemones, which are quite large animals:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/carpetanemones.htm>
I have about 10 or 12 on all different pieces of rocks, they are very small, maybe the largest one measures
about 1 inch in diameter. Are they pests?
<Depends on what they actually are, and your point of view. Are you sure they are not Aiptasia?
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm>
Should I get rid of them or are they OK to have?
<If they are a pest Anemone, then no. They will sting your other sessile invertebrates>
I have a 75 gallon tank with live rock, different soft corals and some fish. I did a search on your page but it did not say anything about them multiplying.
Thank you for your help,
<No Problem!>
Erika
<Simon>

Re: mini carpet anemones 2/24/10
Hi Simon,
<Hi Erika!>
When I looked it up, it said it was a "Stichodactyla tapetum",
<Really? And these are multiplying? That's great, really interesting!
Please send us a photo/s so we can post it in our FAQ's><<We have such. RMF>>
I don't have a camera but I found a picture of one in google
<Yes, can't use this I'm afraid>
and I also read another person asking about them, but I don't know if I should just let them be in my tank or if I should get rid of them.
<It's up to you Erika. With such a great little hitchhiker I would be temped to let be and remove other cnidarians if necessary. Are they causing a problem? If not, then just leave them>
Here is a link with info about them, do you know them and why do they multiply so fast?
https://www.westcoastcorals.com/default/catalog/product/view/id/763
<Thank you for this reference, Erika. As far as 'why', you are obviously providing them with what they need. I believe they are easier to care for than most Carpet Anemones, which are quite demanding, and this is good (or
bad!) news.>
Thank you for your help.
<No problem Erika, thank you for writing, and do try to get us a couple of shots of these!>
Erika
<Simon>

Re: mini carpet anemones 3/1/10
Hi Simon,
<Hello Erika!>
I am attaching several pictures of the mini Carpets, I'm afraid the pics are not that great, but the Anemones are quite beautiful.
<Yes, I can see and thank you for these!>
So you don't think they will be harmful?
<Yes, they can be.. they have powerful nematocysts like all Anemones.. but like many things it is a trade-off as to what you prefer to have. I do think that they are far more beautiful and interesting than the brown Zoanthids you have in the same picture, so if I had to choose between these for example, then I'd pick the Anemones>
I don't feed them anything specifically for them, so I guess they get their food from the system. <Yes> I have other "soft" corals so that is why I thought they could harm them, but so far they don't seem to be causing problems, I just got a little nervous b/c they started to pop up all over my live rock.
<Mmm, they might do in the future>
I did notice they started to multiply after my Fluval canister died. I had read about systems w/out the canisters and was afraid to risk running my 75 gallon without one, I do have live rock and live sand, a large hob refugium with macro algae and a Remora Pro protein skimmer. So when my canister died I decided to try it out, its been about 3 months since then and the water parameters are very good and the water is very crystal clear so I guess all that "read" is right. Do you think I should worry about this?
<No, I only use canister filters on quarantine systems myself, not on my main system>
My only concern is that I am not running any carbon to get rid of some of the "chemicals" from the corals, what do you think?
<I would, but if it ain't broke...>
Thank you so much for all your help and for the wonderful books.
<No problem, but I've not written any books myself! Mr. Fenner is the one for that, and I believe he is writing a new one as we speak... about small systems and being serialised in Ultramarine Magazine at the moment>
Many blessings to you,
<And to you and your Anemones, Erika, and thank you for your photographs!>
Erika
<Simon>

Stichodactyla tapetum. RMF

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