Anemone ID plzz

[Dr.Ocean]

Hi,
I got this anemone week ago.... it has not moved since. Its eating well. There is a shunk clown in the tank that shows no interst at all...I think I will wait and see.

Could anyone give me a hint on what anemone it might be?
its kinda brown when the light is off but looks more olive green when the halides are on...its in the sand now. the tentacles has some sort of white bands on them I took a close up pic to show you what I mean.

 

[rowland75]

Hi

Looks like a sand anemone but hopefully someone else will agree.

If so it will more likely eat the clown than host it.

Sorry.

 

[Amphiprion]

The underside of the oral disc looks vaguely like M. doreensis to me.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7652227#post7652227 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amphiprion
The underside of the oral disc looks vaguely like M. doreensis to me.

I agree. It's sand dwelling preference seems to support the guess. Here's the underside of my Macrodactyla doreensis
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=127506&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

 

[traveller7]

I don't think it is any of the clownfish hosting species.

IMHO: Yes it looks like verrucae, but little else suggests any of the species we commonly see hosting clowns..

 

[Amphiprion]

The M. doreensis that I have seen can have that mottled coloration. I have seen it on many individuals of this species (which would often sport this coloration on some tentacles, and not on others). Also, depending upon health and conditions, the tentacles can be shorter and stubby as well. Upon getting into better conditions and/or with time, they began to manifest more and more characteristics of M. doreensis. But as far as this one goes, I do not know--it only loosely resembles the ones I have seen. However, I think we are not giving enough credit to variability within species in many cases. While identification of anemones may have gotten too generalized over time, I think it is headed in the opposite direction in a negative way, calling many possible variants different species. It is common knowledge that these animals are extremely plastic in their morphology, coloration, etc in varying conditions, so misidentification of supposed separate species (or even same species) is common. Of course, the opposite can be argued easily, as well. Just my two cents' worth, anyway.

 

[Dr.Ocean]

Thank you guys. I was on the phone with the LFS owner who sold me this anemone and he said its a Heteractis Malu. Does it look like one? if so..Is it hard to keep?

 

[MarinaP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7652929#post7652929 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by traveller7
I don't think it is any of the clownfish hosting species.

I am with traveller7 on this ID. It does not look like any clownfish hosting sp.

Don't be surprised if this nem eats your clowns and other fish.

 

[55semireef]

Not all non-hosting clownfish will eat clownfish. Many say Condys do not host (which they do not in the wild) but they still do and do not eat clownfish or damsels.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7654857#post7654857 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55semireef
Not all non-hosting clownfish will eat clownfish. Many say Condys do not host (which they do not in the wild) but they still do and do not eat clownfish or damsels.

I think you meant to post "not all non-hosting anemones will eat clownfish".
The choice to try and host in anything is up to the fish. The "choice" whether or not to eat it's fishy guest is up to the anemone. Clownfish that take up residence in Condylactis often end up with some type of skin disorder. A large healthy Condylactis can possibly eat a Clownfish or Damselfish. MarinaP's warning has merit.

IMO your anemone is not H. malu , Dr. Ocean.

 

[55semireef]

I meant anemones.

Your absolutely correct on your above post. I think the reason for the skin disorder is because it has such a powerful sting, one of the strongest out of all the anemones. A healthy large 18 inch Condy is by far one of the most threatening thing you could put in a tank.

 

[BonsaiNut]

Looks like H. malu to me...

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7654581#post7654581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MarinaP
I am with traveller7 on this ID. It does not look like any clownfish hosting sp.

Don't be surprised if this nem eats your clowns and other fish.

Actually, that is a potential problem with any anemone. I have watched Entacmaea quadricolor and Stichodactyla haddoni eat newly introduced clownfish.

 

[A.G]

I would agree...Heteractis Malu.

 

[phender]

I would agree with H. malu as well. I have seen that type of tentacle pattern on both H. crispa and H. malu before, especially when they are gaining back their zooxanthelle.