Anemone Question

I considered trying one for a little bit, to the extent that I was planning a tank specifically around keeping one. Eventually I decided that it was too risky to justify taking one off the reef. I can't speak for everyone, but I know Ritteri's (scientific name is Heteractis magnifica) have a terrible track record and are very important ecologically...which is a pity because they're beautiful:(.

In short, especially with only six months of experience (assuming your info is up-to-date), I would be content with enjoying these animals in pictures or (if you're lucky) in the wild.
 
+1 on that.

They require extremely specialized care...while IMO the most beautiful of all of the anemones, most people would do better to leave them on the reef.
 
Re: Anemone Question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12868212#post12868212 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bfritzsch
Does anyone keep an anemone known as Ritteri? How long of you had it for and stuff...

I have tried in the past with limited success.

This is one of those species that doesn't ship well. IME, they also require a significantly specialized system in terms of tank dimensions (wide), aquascape (pillar), flow ( a lot!), and light ( as much as you can). Furthermore, they get HUGE. A standard 75g mixed reef is no place for these animals.

On the bright side, there have been recent advances in acclimation, and asexual reproduction, which IMO will make the successful keeping of magnifica a REALITY in the future. We are close with this species!
 
Awesome information everyone! Ok so EJ Coral what do you mean by pillar aquascape? Also how wide of a tank you talking. I dont intend on trying to keep one for awhile. Just curious...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12869363#post12869363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bfritzsch
Awesome information everyone! Ok so EJ Coral what do you mean by pillar aquascape? Also how wide of a tank you talking. I dont intend on trying to keep one for awhile. Just curious...

IMO the perfect small tank would be a 30"x30" cube lit by a 250w or 400w halide. Basically you want a pile of rocks with a smooth top in the center. The anemone will perch there. It should NOT contact the sides of the aquarium. The trick with these guys is that they have a phenomenal propensity to move towards point sources of light. If it can touch a wall, it will move up the glass!

I experimented with one that I had before I gave it away. I had flourescent lights above the tank. I was able to coax the anemone to move wherever I wanted simply by positioning a incandescent bulb at various places along the wall of the tank. It was hands down the most amazing bit of anemone behavior that I have observed!!! When I bought the anemone from a fellow reefer, it had move to the very small part of the tank glass where it recieved direct sunlight for a few hours a day.
 
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