Santoki
Shimmer Addict
After a long quest, I've finally added a proper sand dwelling anemone to my display.
First candidate was a Doreensis from a LFS. Turns out there were mesenterial filaments coming out of the base of the foot. It wasn't visible until they lifted it out of the gravel bed. I had heard that these specimens never make it. Instead of thinking I could save it, I turned that one down.
Next was a very nice green Doreensis from DD. It arrived after almost 24 hours inside out. This one also had mesenterial filaments coming out. This time, from the side of the base. Needless to say, that one didn't make it past 24 hours before starting decomposition. Finally I made the decision on a Crispa from DD about a month ago. This unusual Crispa isn't the most colorful Crispa and the DD pic definitely didn't do it justice. As a result, this one had been at DD for at least a month before I acquired it.
This time, I was determined to get the box as soon as I can so I took the day off and opted for it to be held at the Fedex distribution facility for pickup first thing in the morning. This time, I got it home by 10am. 5 hours earlier than the last time when I let Fedex deliver. The packaging was top quality as usual. However, the water was cold! (measured at 60 F) The mouth was just slightly open. Not sticky at all. I figured that shipping caused it to discharge all the nematocysts. The next two weeks was nerve racking to say the least. The anemone would not attach for more than a few hours before detaching. It was not able to hold on to any food particles no matter the size. I finally made the decision to isolate it in a dish-sponge holder within the display to try some "force feeding" The first feeding involved a 2 mm piece of krill pushed against the mouth slit. Once it opened, I gently applied pressure until finally the mouth closed around it. This took roughly 20 min.
This happened once a day. By the fourth day, there was a noticeable improvement in response to stimulus. I really didn't plan on this one surviving, but it has recovered and has been attached in the display for almost two weeks now.
Thought I'd share a success story
Close up:
-Robert
First candidate was a Doreensis from a LFS. Turns out there were mesenterial filaments coming out of the base of the foot. It wasn't visible until they lifted it out of the gravel bed. I had heard that these specimens never make it. Instead of thinking I could save it, I turned that one down.
Next was a very nice green Doreensis from DD. It arrived after almost 24 hours inside out. This one also had mesenterial filaments coming out. This time, from the side of the base. Needless to say, that one didn't make it past 24 hours before starting decomposition. Finally I made the decision on a Crispa from DD about a month ago. This unusual Crispa isn't the most colorful Crispa and the DD pic definitely didn't do it justice. As a result, this one had been at DD for at least a month before I acquired it.
This time, I was determined to get the box as soon as I can so I took the day off and opted for it to be held at the Fedex distribution facility for pickup first thing in the morning. This time, I got it home by 10am. 5 hours earlier than the last time when I let Fedex deliver. The packaging was top quality as usual. However, the water was cold! (measured at 60 F) The mouth was just slightly open. Not sticky at all. I figured that shipping caused it to discharge all the nematocysts. The next two weeks was nerve racking to say the least. The anemone would not attach for more than a few hours before detaching. It was not able to hold on to any food particles no matter the size. I finally made the decision to isolate it in a dish-sponge holder within the display to try some "force feeding" The first feeding involved a 2 mm piece of krill pushed against the mouth slit. Once it opened, I gently applied pressure until finally the mouth closed around it. This took roughly 20 min.
This happened once a day. By the fourth day, there was a noticeable improvement in response to stimulus. I really didn't plan on this one surviving, but it has recovered and has been attached in the display for almost two weeks now.
Thought I'd share a success story
Close up:
-Robert
