Jan September 16, 2011 September 16, 2011 Ipurchased a gorgeous lime green large anemone from a fellow reefer a couple ofmonths ago. It's gorgeous neon green with purple tips and yellow foot. Neverseen anything like it. I placed it near my RBTA and for a short while it stayedput. Then it split during the earthquake. So now I had two LARGE beauties. They'droam in the same area around the rocks but never wondered too far. Well, lastweek one of the two wondered right into one of the power heads. It was massacred.I was heartbroken, but I still had another one. The one stayed put and would continueto roam around the rock in the same area. Last night it ventured out and acrossthe tank onto the other power head. The foot is intact and it's still roamingbut it's tentacles and body are half gone. What's the likelihood for its survival andwhat can I do to stop this nem from roaming the way it does. It's last ownertold me it never fed it. I feed my nems and they love it. Did i create thi?. Isit looking for food? what? Any anemone shrinks in the group that could help mestop my nem from attempting suicide?
surf&turf September 16, 2011 September 16, 2011 (edited) I have a green BTA that did the same thing, It got in the the PH twice. The second time was really ugly, I didn't think it would make it. I put it back where it was and left it alone and just watched it to make sure it didn't die and nuke my tank. Has been recovering just fine and hasn't moved since. Edited September 16, 2011 by surf&turf
Coral Hind September 16, 2011 September 16, 2011 It should recover but keep an eye on it. You might want to turn off the PH or protect it with foam until the anemone finds a place and settles down.
Ryan S September 16, 2011 September 16, 2011 Jan, I have always been fearful of anemone's for this very reason. I think if you want to keep them, you should install: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/review/product/list/id/1622/category/353/ (or the equivalent for your pumps) - kind of like baby-proofing the tank. I am not sure if others here keep RBTA's and other anemone's without protection? If so, then maybe it's just a luck thing? I want to get a RBTA in my next tank, but at the same time, I don't want to make an MP40 look horrible with a foam cover (or reduce it's flow either)... But I also don't want a dead anemone either! I hope your little guy pulls through! -Ryan
Almon September 16, 2011 September 16, 2011 The anemone is probably moving to find better light or water flow. Try repositioning the powerheads for different or more direct flow. It's also probably tough and resillient. Just put him back under a rock on the bottom.
Guest thefishman65 September 16, 2011 September 16, 2011 I think the foot being intact is a good sign - I wish you luck. What about placing a layer of bridal screen (sorry don't know the right name and of course you would want the black version) around the power head. I think this is plastic based (rather than cotton) so i would think it would be reef safe. I just read somewhere that someone is using it as a tank cover. Any opinions on this. I suppose it might require more cleaning.
bankyf September 16, 2011 September 16, 2011 I built a cage out of plastic canvas to go around my korallia pumps a few years ago. One I switched to MP40s I just ran the foam covers until I was confident that they were not going to wander any more.
YBeNormal September 16, 2011 September 16, 2011 I had Koralia pumps in my tank and use the thin plastic tube-netting you sometimes see around fruit in the grocery store. It's thin and didn't detract much form the aesthetics of the tanks, but the holes are small enough to help protect small fish and anemones. I think the same netting is used in floral shops or maybe they receive some of their flowers wrapped in it, but I'm not sure.
OUsnakebyte September 17, 2011 September 17, 2011 Jan - What type of anemone is this? Is it another color variant of E. quad? Could you post a picture? KNowing what type it is might help us "diagnose" the issue(s)... Cheers Mike
Jan September 17, 2011 Author September 17, 2011 I did a search for roaming anemones and you are right, Mike. It looks like I may have a Heteractis magnifica not suitable for home aquariums according to wetwebmedia http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/hetmagnifica.htm. Confusing because it's also known as Ritteri. I know folks keep Ritteris with no problem. This guy is known for roaming and ballooning and floating around. It needs high intense light. You're right, they've been looking to get closer to the light as well as high flow; poor things. It can also get to 30" wide. Before mine split it was about 18". It's so beautiful. the colors are magnificent very similar to the [pic below. It's foot is a gorgeous lime green, more on the yellow side. I'll let it heal and decide what to do with it after it heals. Thanks Mike and everyone. quote name='OUsnakebyte' date='17 September 2011 - 06:19 AM' timestamp='1316254764' post='380574'] Jan - What type of anemone is this? Is it another color variant of E. quad? Could you post a picture? KNowing what type it is might help us "diagnose" the issue(s)... Cheers Mike
Jan September 17, 2011 Author September 17, 2011 I'll look for this type of netting, that's if I keep this nem. I'll have to cover the PH's to protect it. Thank you. J I had Koralia pumps in my tank and use the thin plastic tube-netting you sometimes see around fruit in the grocery store. It's thin and didn't detract much form the aesthetics of the tanks, but the holes are small enough to help protect small fish and anemones. I think the same netting is used in floral shops or maybe they receive some of their flowers wrapped in it, but I'm not sure.
Jan September 17, 2011 Author September 17, 2011 It's hidden at the bottom of the tank behind a rock. So far it's doing well. It should recover but keep an eye on it. You might want to turn off the PH or protect it with foam until the anemone finds a place and settles down.
OUsnakebyte September 20, 2011 September 20, 2011 (edited) If it split, and it's not an E. quad (bubble tip) - and if it looks similar to the pics posted above, then it is an H. magnifica, or Ritteri Anemone. These are absolutely gorgeous animals, but yes, they can be very challenging to keep. And, they seem to be able to grow quite large - maybe about 3 feet in diameter. As you have probably already read, they prefer to be up on high, rocky outcroppings with lots of random, almost chaotic flow. I have mine on a smooth, flat rock, directly under a 250 watt halide. The MP40s alternate the flow, and a sea swirl passes a jet of water over it every 30 seconds or so. If it's moving around, it's definitely looking for "something" - more light, different flow pattern, etc. Perhaps... maybe just a flat surface to attach to...? I'd love to see a photo of it. Can you post a pic when it is more visible? Always looking for another gorgeous specimen... Good luck with it - they are truly magnificent! Cheers Mike Edited September 20, 2011 by OUsnakebyte
Jan September 21, 2011 Author September 21, 2011 Hi Mike, Based on everything I've read and seen I'm fairly sure this anemone is a Ritteri. As soon as it starts to emerge from it's safe place I'll snap a photo, but bear in mind it's been badly injured and doesn't look as magnificent as it did when I got it. Yes, it looked like the ones in the picture only mine was a tad lighter and it's foot an almost neon greenish yellow. It split when we had the earthquake. I had two. The other one was in pieces from the powerhead and didn't make it. I'll let you know if this one makes it and if it splits again you'll have first dibs. J If it split, and it's not an E. quad (bubble tip) - and if it looks similar to the pics posted above, then it is an H. magnifica, or Ritteri Anemone. These are absolutely gorgeous animals, but yes, they can be very challenging to keep. And, they seem to be able to grow quite large - maybe about 3 feet in diameter. As you have probably already read, they prefer to be up on high, rocky outcroppings with lots of random, almost chaotic flow. I have mine on a smooth, flat rock, directly under a 250 watt halide. The MP40s alternate the flow, and a sea swirl passes a jet of water over it every 30 seconds or so. If it's moving around, it's definitely looking for "something" - more light, different flow pattern, etc. Perhaps... maybe just a flat surface to attach to...? I'd love to see a photo of it. Can you post a pic when it is more visible? Always looking for another gorgeous specimen... Good luck with it - they are truly magnificent! Cheers Mike
Jan September 21, 2011 Author September 21, 2011 This is the nem. It's under low light, under a rock still healing.
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