Carpet Anemone
- Thread starter DeepSeaBeauti
- Start date
this is me
Active member
100% gigantea.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1986266
For one, riterri have thicker tentacles. Also, gigantea don't ball up like a riterri.
As for the long tentacles on the gigantea. We are so custom to seeing the short tentacles on the gig at the lfs that we automatically think that's the way it should be. But in fact, giganteas tentacles are supposed to be long in the wild and once settled in a tank.
I think flow is the key to getting gigantea tentacles nice'n long. The second gig that I got from a member tentacles are much much shorter than the one I have in the tank. His tank was poorly circulated and honestly, I didn't think it was enough flow for a gig.
After about a month in my tank with the flow pretty much blasting at it, the tentacles are now double the length. Gigantea can withstand(and actually like it) turbulence flow more than any carpet anemone.
I know my haddoni would hide if I blast the flow at it.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1986266
For one, riterri have thicker tentacles. Also, gigantea don't ball up like a riterri.
As for the long tentacles on the gigantea. We are so custom to seeing the short tentacles on the gig at the lfs that we automatically think that's the way it should be. But in fact, giganteas tentacles are supposed to be long in the wild and once settled in a tank.
I think flow is the key to getting gigantea tentacles nice'n long. The second gig that I got from a member tentacles are much much shorter than the one I have in the tank. His tank was poorly circulated and honestly, I didn't think it was enough flow for a gig.
After about a month in my tank with the flow pretty much blasting at it, the tentacles are now double the length. Gigantea can withstand(and actually like it) turbulence flow more than any carpet anemone.
I know my haddoni would hide if I blast the flow at it.
DeepSeaBeauti
Will Fielitz
That Gigantea looks amazing, and with the clowns hosting it, it looks magical. I do not like the idea that the haddoni may eat my fish, and with at least three sand dwelling fish id rather not take the risk.
Im trying to get as much information as possable about these guys. I have not had much luck with BTA's ( first anemone ever purchased and well it was a poor choice, bleach) My LTA lasted almost a year before i got a second MP40 es and it decided to move (right into the power head). With the ol ladie started to crack down on my spending on anemones that just die, im trying to make all the right choices from the start to give this one the best chance of survival.
With Two Mp40's usualy on half power i have more then enough flow in my tank. I have a very deap sand bed in the center of the tank with nothing around it for at least a 2' diameter, and my bulbs are all about 3 months old so i have good strong light.
Besides my LFS is there any other places that would be good to purchase a specimen worthy of my tank. Ill try to snap an up to date photo of the tank and my intended placement tonight. And thanks for all the input so far.
Im trying to get as much information as possable about these guys. I have not had much luck with BTA's ( first anemone ever purchased and well it was a poor choice, bleach) My LTA lasted almost a year before i got a second MP40 es and it decided to move (right into the power head). With the ol ladie started to crack down on my spending on anemones that just die, im trying to make all the right choices from the start to give this one the best chance of survival.
With Two Mp40's usualy on half power i have more then enough flow in my tank. I have a very deap sand bed in the center of the tank with nothing around it for at least a 2' diameter, and my bulbs are all about 3 months old so i have good strong light.
Besides my LFS is there any other places that would be good to purchase a specimen worthy of my tank. Ill try to snap an up to date photo of the tank and my intended placement tonight. And thanks for all the input so far.
Blitzburggirl
Member
I think there has been some awesome advice in this thread 
The only thing that concerns me, is this statement.....
"I think one of these large animals would be perfect for the center of my tank, right between the two islands and at the entrance to my rock wall cave."
Any anemone will live, exactly where IT wants to. They aren't like a coral that you can glue down. My tank is a mixed reef, and I rearranged my entire tank, flow, and rockwork, to make the haddoni (which hosts 2 picassos btw) the "perfect" spot, that I wanted it to host. It stayed there for 2 months, and has since decided it wants to live right next to the LTA. My clowns play in both Neither one of which they are supposed to like lmao
Point being, what is your tank like? Are you going to stress if the gigantea nem decides it likes being up on your rocks on the right side because you have more flow there? Or because you love LPS and you have it on your sand bed that your haddoni bulldozes?
Or better yet (what happened to me!) I planned on a gigantea, and got a haddoni (it can be hard to tell them apart when they are stressed and in the fish store. And it's my understanding that many suppliers don't do a great job of differentiating. I ordered my nem as a gigantea, when it arrived, I had doubts, but, it was blue, gorgeous and healthy, so I took it, knowing it was likely a haddoni) So I had to modify the flow, the rock I wanted it to live by, etc.
Carpets aren't for the light hearted, or control freaks lol
Oh, and FWIW, the LTA hasn't moved in the 2 years I've had it.
The only thing that concerns me, is this statement.....
"I think one of these large animals would be perfect for the center of my tank, right between the two islands and at the entrance to my rock wall cave."
Any anemone will live, exactly where IT wants to. They aren't like a coral that you can glue down. My tank is a mixed reef, and I rearranged my entire tank, flow, and rockwork, to make the haddoni (which hosts 2 picassos btw) the "perfect" spot, that I wanted it to host. It stayed there for 2 months, and has since decided it wants to live right next to the LTA. My clowns play in both
Neither one of which they are supposed to like lmaoPoint being, what is your tank like? Are you going to stress if the gigantea nem decides it likes being up on your rocks on the right side because you have more flow there? Or because you love LPS and you have it on your sand bed that your haddoni bulldozes?
Or better yet (what happened to me!) I planned on a gigantea, and got a haddoni (it can be hard to tell them apart when they are stressed and in the fish store. And it's my understanding that many suppliers don't do a great job of differentiating. I ordered my nem as a gigantea, when it arrived, I had doubts, but, it was blue, gorgeous and healthy, so I took it, knowing it was likely a haddoni) So I had to modify the flow, the rock I wanted it to live by, etc.
Carpets aren't for the light hearted, or control freaks lol
Oh, and FWIW, the LTA hasn't moved in the 2 years I've had it.
DeepSeaBeauti
Will Fielitz
Here is an over exposed narrow shot of my tank. I need to take some good ones with a real camera, not a cell phone. You can see from the pic the idea of location i have planned. I figure something there will bring some great color.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/26Te8l.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/26Te8l.jpg" alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />
dunk373
New member
you definately have a great setup there for a carpet with a haddoni i would dig the sand out where you want it have random water flow and place it there I've had one for 6 years and it stayed in the same place i bought it before anything else then bought one maroon a month later after it settled the clown didn't host so after a 2 months i bought a much smaller maroon and it hosted right away then they both hosted and are now a mated pair. the nem should be sticky too a healthy one will be very sticky i would ask your lfs to feed it a chunk of food it should wrap around almost immediately. Also a way to remove a stuck anemone from the bottom of glass is a blow dryer heat the bottom up slowly it will release. they are pretty hardy once settled and with me they like 10k lighting to be at their best.
DeepSeaBeauti
Will Fielitz
Thanks so much dunk. I tell you my only concern now with a haddoni is everyone saying that they eat up fish left and right. I also love the longer tentacles of the gigantea, and what i read there less likely to eat fish for what reason im not sure. It seams there a little harder to care for though.
DeepSeaBeauti
Will Fielitz
My LFS has been out of these typs of anemone now for a few weeks. If im going to purchase one id like to purchase one that i can personaly see, and trust that its healthy.
jer77
Phish Lover
I wish you much luck in your search and acclimating it into your tank. Any anemone is challenging to keep. My experience has found H. crispa's to be easier to acclimate than carpets, with many carpets dying even when they looked good at the store. I'd suggest making sure it is in good health before buying by holding it at the store for at least 3 days. Make sure the mouth isn't gaping and it doesn't look bloated. There are places online that are experienced with selling anemones, no personal experience though, but if your fish store is competent just have them try to order one for you. Being in Long Island I can imagine there are good high-end fish stores.
DeepSeaBeauti
Will Fielitz
Jer77, Yeah there are a few very knowledgeable fish stores here. They are defiantly not in short supply. The one that is closes to my house is my fav, these guys take as much time as needed to find out what you have, what will work and wont work in your set up. Oh and there prices are the best , and usually neg which i love.
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