FAQs on Anemonia/Majano Anemones 3 Related FAQs: Anemonia 1, Anemonia 2, Anemonia 4, Anemonia 5, & Aiptasia Identification, Anemone Identification, Other Pest Anemones Eradication by: Peppermint Shrimp, Butterflyfishes, Filefishes, Chemical/Physical Injection, Hypo/Hyper-Salinity, Related Articles: Aiptasia/Glass Anemones, Anemones, Cnidarians,

New Print and eBook on Amazon:   Anemone Success Doing what it takes to keep Anemones healthy long-term by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Identify and coral health questions 4/24/10 Hello, <Hi John> I am seeing this brown anemone looking thing on my live rock. It looks like I have 3 now and I am starting to wonder if this is some sort of pest? I have no idea what this is. <This looks like a Majano Anemone to me. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemoniafaqs.htm It also looks like it's stinging your Pachyclavularia> The picture only shows 2, but it looks like a 3rd one has grown in after I took the picture a week ago. Should I be worried and kill it? <These are not as bad as Aiptasia, and can be enjoyable, but they can also be pests. These are stinging your coral, so I would separate the two somehow, perhaps by killing the anemones> I have had the rock for about 2 months I think and this thing did not seem to move, but now seems to be reproducing. See picture. Also I had lighting issues where the lights were not work for a week or two and I am wondering about the health of some of my corals. Can you look at the pictures and let me know what I should do? Will they be OK? <No useful data here.. The Plerogyra does not look in great health to me> The bubble coral came with some brown stuff on the skeleton when I got it. I was not sure what to do so I tried to remove it. It now seems to have spread some, but coral still opens. This has been going on for about 3 months I think since I got it. I included a before picture. <Improved water quality and some direct feeding may be required here. Read & related Faqs: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/caryoeuph2.htm> My brain coral seems to developed a hole, but it can't be seen when the coral swells or opens up. Is it OK? Will it recover? <Mmmm, something is going on, 'amiss' here.. I suspect your water quality, http://www.wetwebmedia.com/watrqualmar.htm and/ or allelopathy betwixt animals http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cnidcompppt.htm> I also included a before and after picture of my elegance coral. I have had this about 3 months also. <Has deteriorated> Thanks, John <Simon>

tiny creature on my rock 12/31/09 I have had a tiny BTA like creature in my tank since I purchased a small red mushroom frag. it has since moved from that frag onto some of my LR, then into a small hole that is in that LR. pics of it have been attached<http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w73/weepee_photos/aquarium/?acti on=view&current=IMAG0028.jpg> this is literally the size of a penny or quarter. so my question is, what is it? <Likely an Anemonia sp., perhaps A. sulcata. Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/otherpstanemfaqs.htm and the linked files above> is it a BTA? <Mmm, doubtful, no> and what is the smallest size an anemone can actually be? <A single cell> here is a link to a forum post where I am in search of an answer: http://www.reefbuilders.com/forums/identification/13455-what.html#post108492 my system: 39 gal FLOWR, with sump, hob refugium, skimmer, 78w of t5 ho lighting. tank params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, <20 nitrate. 2 false Perc clowns, 1 yellow tang (will be moved to a larger tank soon), 1 pj cardinal, 1 green BTA, 1 red mushroom frag. the tank has been up and cycled for over 6 mo. thank you for any help you can give. Owen <Some folks might remove... Read on! Bob Fenner>

Anemone Eating Butterfly 11/21/09
Hey crew,
<Howdy>
I have a 850 gallon reef tank with 1200 pounds of Tonga live rock in it.
<Yowsa!>
It has in the last year become infested with Majano Anemone's. When I say infested I mean there is probably not a 8 inch square in the aquarium that you cannot find one of these little suckers! I have added a couple Klein's butterflies months ago but they are not up to the task of destroying these, they pick at them but much prefer pellets and other foods ( I only feed 2 times a week) I am to the point that I either let them take over the aquarium or I turn loose something that will flat out hunt down and eat every last one. I am not going to let these things take over and destroy my 25,000 dollar "reef" tank. I can remove most of my corals to a different system until they are gone. SO my questions are, what kind of butterfly is (a) hardy (b) will "most likely" eat/prefer these little anemones over something else? I have to do something..I hate looking at my corals getting stung by these things, I spend probably 10 hours a week trying to keep them "under control"...help!
<The problem that could arise here is that a butterfly that would eat the Majanos would likely
eat your coral. I suggest reading here and linked files in the header.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemoniafaqs.htm
James (Salty Dog)>
Re Anemone Eating Butterfly 11/21/09
Thanks for the speedy reply James,
<You're welcome.>
I understand the butterflies will eat my
coral, I will remove the coral that I can and the rest will have to stay.
I have read the FAQ many times trying to remedy this problem this has been becoming much larger than can be resolved by "normal" means. I at this point have no choice but to introduce an non reef safe butterfly, The question is what one will be the most aggressive anemone eater?
<Some folks have had luck with Raccoon Butterflies, and some not. Will depend on the eating personality of the fish. Another fish some had have good luck with is the Bi-Color Angelfish. I believe it was Eric Borneman who stated that the A. majano is a staple in their diet in the wild.
There are folks who claim the Copperband and Saddleback Butterfly Fish consume Majanos, then
again, some not. As before, all depends on the fishes eating habits/personality. Another method is to inject them with Kalkwasser, but this could take a considerable amount of time, patience, and liquor.>
Thanks again!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>

Majano Anemone ID 1/21/09 Hello, <Hi Jack, geez, don't say that in an airport.> Attached is a photo of a polyp that came on live rock I purchased. There are others that are identical elsewhere on the same rock but are not in a spot easily photographed. In the last 3 months all have grown from about an eighth of an inch to roughly the size of a nickel. All appear to be flat against the rock, but perhaps a stem structure hidden within a crevasse. Is this the dreaded Majano Anemone? <I'm about 90% sure that it is the pest anemone.> Thank you in advance for your assistance. <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> Jack

Anemonia? 1/14/09 Bob, Thanks for all your work to help reefs around the world (both in nature and in our homes) thrive. I have two anemone that I believe to be majano. A picture is attached and I was hoping that you might verify my suspicion. <Might be this Anemone... but due to the lack of tentacles nearer the mouth, arrangement on the periphery of the crown... these could be Zoanthids...> They are on a clam away from everything else in my tank. If they are Majano sp. I have a few questions. First, do they simply divide by fission in the tank and therefore will only reproduce in the area that they are in and spread from there or can they find there way across the tank without my noticing some how? <Both these groups of stinging-celled life principally spread through asexual fission... pedal laceration and such... about the area where they're located... though in the wild, sexual reproduction, very wide spreading does occur> Can they kill the Maxima clam that they are on now? <Either could be a negative influence, yes> Should I remove them and place them in my trigger tank? <Yes I would... and carefully... outside the main system... with a sharp implement... scrubbing the remaining area with an old toothbrush... rinsing the clam a few times in new water... carefully disposing of the "cut process" water... Do wear gloves and eye protection> Should I be upset at my LFS who told me that the one that was there when I bought the clam was a small flower anemone? <Mmm, is a/nother common name for this (A. cf. majano) and other life...> (I realize you likely will not advocate harboring enmity toward others but I thought I would ask anyway). Thanks for all your help Joe Marchetti Anchorage, AK <A pleasure to meet, share with you Joe. Bob Fenner>

Re: Anemonia? 1/14/09 Thanks Bob. Will proceed as suggested. Joe Marchetti <Ah, good Joe... I really should have, and now will urge you to read this area re some further (reinforcing) cautions concerning Zoanthid contact: http://wetwebmedia.com/zoanthidcompfaqs.htm Cheers, BobF>

Raccoon Butterfly Question, for Majano control 11/30/08 Dear WWM <Ryan> Common question but couldn't get quite an exact answer. I have Majanos in my tank. Have been treating them with Joes juice daily towards every single one i can see. But still after 3 weeks of doing this.... i get still a couple a day...so i was thinking would getting a Raccoon Butterfly be good? <Mmm, maybe... do you have room...?> I saw smaller ones at the petstore and really liked them and thought that they would help. So just wondering if this would be a good idea even with only a few coming in every day that are REALLY small (less than 1/2 cent) also relating to all this the raccoon is about 1/2 inch if not a little less. <?! In length? Have never seen this fish, or other Chaetodont offered so small> But i really like that as i don't want a big one cause i want to see it grow. So even at small size will it still be effective is effective at all? <I doubt it... I even doubt it will live period> thanks for your help Ryan <If interested in eradication of this anemone... I encourage you to investigate the new Red Sea product: Aiptasia-X... really works and appears to be very "reef safe". Bob Fenner>

Ricordea under a rock ledge... Maybe Majanos 2/5/08 Hi All, I love your website! I have learned so much from it along with the book "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist". <Hello and thanks! Bob's book is great isn't it?!> I recently acquired a 55 gallon reef tank set up with LR and LS. It was covered with green hair algae that has now died off (amazing what decent water will do). OMG the things that are now appearing on the rocks! I have discovered 3 Ricordea under a ledge of the biggest rock and completely in shadow about 2-3 inches above the substrate. Will they move to seek the light or should I try to move them? If I need to move them, how should I go about doing it? Due to the angle, I can't get a chisel in there to get them on a chunk of rock. Thanks so much in advance. These are very pretty bright green little guys I really want to help out. Peg <Peg, Ricordea don't usually just pop out on rocks. However, Majano Anemones do. Here is some FAQ's... http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemoniafaqs.htm These types of anemones pack a big sting and are not very well liked by aquarist as they sting and kill corals. Google "Majano Anemone Pics" and see if they are the same ones you have. HTH, Rich...aka...Mr. Firemouth>

Majano Anemones, control 1/6/08 Hello, <Hi Eric> I have a 180 gallon reef tank and my population of Majano Anemones is getting out of control. I have been busy reading your site and now realize the cause of it is most likely poor skimming. (Actually a separate problem that I have been trying to fix but I didn't realize the 2 were related). Anyway my question is, if I solve the nutrient export problem, will the current population of Majanos start to die off? Or am I stuck with them unless I manually start to remove them or find something that will eat them? <Lowering the nutrient levels is not going to kill them, for sure. One thing in your favor is that they are not quite as prolific as Aiptasia Anemones, but still pack a potent sting and a nuisance just the same. Read here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/aiptasia_impressions/aiptaisia_impressions.htm> Thank you, <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> Eric