Better chance with larger or smaller ritteri?

[sonofgaladriel]

A LFS has told me of a 2 foot purple tipped ritteri that has been at their wholesalers for 2 weeks and looks very good. I'll ask for some pictures but is this too much of a risk. Cost would be $250 plus shipping.
My first choice of anemones for this 'anemone tank' was a nice large ritteri, but I was steered away by the talk on this forum and the fact that I could not find any. But, knowing there appears to be a large healthy one out there, it is tempting.
Suggestions? Advice?
Thanks and I am sorry for all of these recent questions. I hope I'm not bothering anyone with all of these.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

JMO based on experience:
Mag anemones aren't very difficult to find offered for sale. (A large healthy one might be another matter in certain regions of the country.) I'd definitely recommend anyone to ask for pictures and reconsider whether or not you have enough experience keeping anemones and/or if your aquarium has enough room for a very large (potential 36" diameter) aggressive anemone that packs a powerful sting. Health matters more than size, IMO.
H. magnifica will seek out neighboring sessile inverts and attempt to kill them.

Tip: look in the propagated coral selling/trading forums for anemones that have outgrown their owners aquarium.

 

[OrionN]

With stress (like shipping) H. magnifica can wipe out a tank, especially a large anemone like this one.
Certainly given everything the same, smaller anemone will tolerate shipping better.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Thanks Gary and Orion for the advice!
This is an anemone I'm considering for its very own aquarium. Nothing else would be put in there with it. I'm looking for just the right 'show' anemone for a community or breeder pair of clowns. It would have the tank all to itself until I added the clowns a few days/weeks later.
I have been watching the for sale forum diligently for many weeks hoping for a well acclimated specimen, but so far, no luck. Only two freshly imported carpets have been advertised.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8143523#post8143523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OrionN
With stress (like shipping) H. magnifica can wipe out a tank, especially a large anemone like this one.
Certainly given everything the same, smaller anemone will tolerate shipping better.

Minh is right.
(Sorry, I'm having a difficult time dealing with the new name!)

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Thanks again Gary. I've just re-read all the FAQ's in the anemone section above and am currently browsing the web looking for more info on Ritteri and their care, but it doesn't look too good in terms of their success rate over any length of time.
I'll keep my eye out for a smaller specimen but in all likely hood, I'll pass on the ritteri. I'd hate to add to their demise. As much as I'd love to have one, the hadonni are apparently a better choice.
I've had great success over the past 5 years with my rose BTAs and I'm fairly certain I can take care of a healthy hadonni, but not willing to risk a ritteri.