Brown Sebae Anemone will not attach!

[h dub]

I have had this Brown Sebae for over two weeks now and he has not attached. I have read that they are sand dwellers so I have tried to place him accordingly. Granted, my tank is only about four months old, which makes me wish I had done my research before investing in a Sebae, however all water parameters are great. This being said, is there any suggestions you guys may have to help make my Sebae feel more "at home?" and hopefully get him to attach? Thanks and Happy Reefing!

 

[Toddrtrex]

What are the actual numbers for those parameters?
What size tank?
What lights?
What do you have for flow?

Do you have a picture? "Sebae" is a common name that can refer to more than one anemone.

 

[h dub]

Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0
Phosphates: 0
Calcium: 400 ppm
Alkalinity: ~300 ppm
pH: 8.1
Specific gravity: 1.025

It's a 12 gal. Nano cube DX with 48 W PC lighting.

Also for flow, right now I have the stock 240 gph pump with a rotating water deflector on it, but within the week I am adding another Koralia Nano 240 gph on the opposite side

 

[Toddrtrex]

Do you happen to remember what the underside looked like?

If that is an H. cripsa -- I am having my doubts -- it will get entirely too big for your tank.

 

[h dub]

Not sure how to explain the underside. And if it begins to outgrow the tank, I have another 55 gallon back home.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Do a google search for H. malu, see if they look similar to yours -- there is a big difference b/t what you will see in person, and how the pictures will look.

 

[h dub]

Mine is indeed a H. crispa. They had Malu's at my LFS as well.

 

[Toddrtrex]

If that is the case, it is a bit stressed, would expect the tentacles to be a great deal longer.

Can you try to stop the rotating pair of that powerhead?

What PC bulbs are they -- color temp -- afraid that you are on the low end for lights.

 

[h dub]

I can replace the return nozzle to the stock one. The bulbs are 2x 12W 10,000K white and 2x 12 W actinic blue.

Also, not sure if it matters, but I feed him silversides 2-3 times a week and he eats fine.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I would change out those actinics for at least 50/50's, but 6,500 K would be better -- need to get as much PAR as possible.

Myself, and a few other experienced anemone keepers, have had issues with silversides, I would switch to frozen/thawed krill and/or PE mysis. Would be careful how much you feed, in a small tank extra food can cause water quality issues.

Edit -- I would get that 55 gallon ready, going to need a bigger tank, and soon. The last H. crispa I had took up about 1/3 of a 75 gallon tank.

 

[h dub]

Ok thanks for the help! I'll try to put some changes into action.

 

[garygb]

That looks more like Heteractis magnifica than Heteractis crispa to me from that one pic. It would be good to see the column, but don't disturb it. If it happens to be H. magnifica, it will want to be on top of a smooth-ish rock.

I think there is also a possibility it's Entacmaea quadricolor. They like to bury their foot in a cave or hole in the rock. More pics might be helpful. A correct id is useful in terms of advising you.