consumers need to know what anemone species they're purchasing

[Gary Majchrzak]

Anemones are still getting shipped and sold under common names such as "Sebae", "carpet" and "Long Tentacle". These common names are applied to many different species and it becomes real frustrating when trying to purchase a particular anemone species. Anemone ID is further exasperated by the fact that newly imported anemones often do not look 'textbook' in appearance- but are often contorted as a reaction to the stresses involved in shipping and/or acclimation. (You should always know what anemone species you're purchasing because different species have different husbandry requirements. Read the RC Anemone FAQ at the top of this forum for more information.)
I've noticed that 'Quality Marine' has now started to include scientific names (on stickers) along with their livestock. This is a step in the right direction (as long as the ID is correct).
We need to stop having anemones shipped as "Sebae" and/or "Long Tentacle". The same with "carpet anemones"- we need to know the species, not just the color! The sooner this problem is addressed the better.

 

[Amphiprion]

Re: consumers need to know what anemone species they're purchasing

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8930262#post8930262 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
Anemones are still getting shipped and sold under common names such as "Sebae", "carpet" and "Long Tentacle". These common names are applied to many different species and it becomes real frustrating when trying to purchase a particular anemone species. Anemone ID is further exasperated by the fact that newly imported anemones often do not look 'textbook' in appearance- but are often contorted as a reaction to the stresses involved in shipping and/or acclimation. (You should always know what anemone species you're purchasing because different species have different husbandry requirements. Read the RC Anemone FAQ at the top of this forum for more information.)
I've noticed that 'Quality Marine' has now started to include scientific names (on stickers) along with their livestock. This is a step in the right direction (as long as the ID is correct).
We need to stop having anemones shipped as "Sebae" and/or "Long Tentacle". The same with "carpet anemones"- we need to know the species, not just the color! The sooner this problem is addressed the better.

I agree completely and had started this when I began working at an LFS. I make sure each anemone is properly identified upon arrival (at least the ones that can be identified).

 

[MJI]

I won't even go into UK anemone identification....

 

[skyfireblaze]

I whole-heartedly agree with the need to properly identify an anemone before purchasing it.

However, IMO I have found the Anemone FAQ to be rather lacking as a guide to anemone identification. It's great for husbandry, but poor for detailing the key characteristics that one should look for in making an ID. I'd love to see a "flow-chart" of sorts for ID. Unfortunately I don't feel that I have near enough experience to make an attempt ...

 

[delphinus]

Completely agreed as well. Find it very frustrating trying to discuss this with some vendors, some just aren't all that interested.

I once ordered a Stichodactyla gigantea carpet, I went so far as to provide photos of the species, the wholesaler said "yep that's what I have", sent it to my LFS, I went in and .... it was a Heteractis malu. I don't see how there could be any mistaking the two! I feel the vendor was just not interested to learn why I was so adamant, I think to him "an anemone is an anemone."

I think part of the difficulty is that collectors post their lists and what you see on it is what's there. They may list them as "carpet" and even if they do put down a species name, many times it's incorrect or outdated, or a mixture thereof (i.e., "Heteractis ritteri" instead of the old "Radianthus ritteri" or the now-correct "Heteractis magnifica"), making the onus on correct ID to be done at the importer or retailer level.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

bump. perhaps sticky.

 

[Slakker]

Even if the collectors ship under the wrong name, shouldn't wholesalers or at the VERY least the LFS take the time to properly identify the specimen they're trying to sell? It blows my mind that someone would be willing to sell a creature to a hobbyist that knows next to nothing about it, when the LFS can't even give that person appropriate advice.

That would be like selling someone a lion cub claiming that it was a domestic cat.

 

[illcssd]

I vote for sticky!
The informative titles i see constantly thrown out, even by uneducated fellow hobbyists is ridiculous. A "blue sand anemone" "flat anemone" "stinging anemone" how is anyone supposed to know how to take care of those...
I think the name sebae needs to be completely revoked. I have seen almost every anemone there is labeled as a sebae. Not sure what but something definitely needs to be done.

 

[earlnewt]

GREAT subject... I always say " educate yourself before you put it in". I agree the "common" name distributers and the the LFS put on the tank sticker at times may not reflect the actual species. But the responsibility does come down to the person who is buying the animal.
I am sure their are acceptions.

 

[RedSonja]

Re: consumers need to know what anemone species they're purchasing

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8930262#post8930262 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
Anemones are still getting shipped and sold under common names such as "Sebae", "carpet" and "Long Tentacle". These common names are applied to many different species and it becomes real frustrating when trying to purchase a particular anemone species. Anemone ID is further exasperated by the fact that newly imported anemones often do not look 'textbook' in appearance- but are often contorted as a reaction to the stresses involved in shipping and/or acclimation. (You should always know what anemone species you're purchasing because different species have different husbandry requirements. Read the RC Anemone FAQ at the top of this forum for more information.)
I've noticed that 'Quality Marine' has now started to include scientific names (on stickers) along with their livestock. This is a step in the right direction (as long as the ID is correct).
We need to stop having anemones shipped as "Sebae" and/or "Long Tentacle". The same with "carpet anemones"- we need to know the species, not just the color! The sooner this problem is addressed the better.

Amen.

-Sonja

 

[Slakker]

Sure there is responsibility on the consumers end, but there should also be some accountability on the supplier/retailer's table.

 

[MarinaP]

"Blue" sand anemone hosting a black percula...That would be classic.

We have been trying to educate people on this board for years about Latin names for clownfish species.

Nothing have changed. A. ocellaris is still called false Percula, black A. polymnus is called "black percula", etc.

Nothing will change about anemones' Latin names.

If a poster does not have a will to look at the FAQs here on RC or on wetwebmedia, or elsewhere relaible , then nobody can really help him or her.

Hell, I wrote half of the Anemone FAQ section, it is right there at the top of this Forum. How come we get questions about acclimating an anemone, what to feed an animal, is my BTA bleached? It just irks me that people sometime are not willing to do a little bit of research

 

[MarinaP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8933141#post8933141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xchrisjb
IMO I have found the Anemone FAQ to be rather lacking as a guide to anemone identification. It's great for husbandry, but poor for detailing the key characteristics that one should look for in making an ID. I'd love to see a "flow-chart" of sorts for ID. Unfortunately I don't feel that I have near enough experience to make an attempt ...

It is very easy to critisize somebody's work. Greg and I spent many hours compiling this document. If you feel it is "lacking" something, feel free to contribute.

Your lack of experience can be easily compensated by Google search.

 

[phender]

Being a little devil's advocate here, but be careful what you wish for.
Online dealers and LFSs who know what they have are the ones that jack up the prices.
Examples: Most wholesalers don't sell acropora by species. They sell colored acropora and brown acropora. If an dealer is charging you more for a blue A. millipora than a blue A. tenuis then that is the dealer knowing what is more in demand, not that it cost him more.
Except for blues, all colored zoanthids cost the same at the wholesaler. If your LFS makes up a name and sells one for more than another, its because they know they can.
Colored giganteas should be the same price or less than colored haddonis based on wholesale prices.
When you are ordering something, it would be nice to get what you ordered.
But as far as my LFS goes, I will count on myself to have the ID knowledge. I would prefer my LFS guy to just double the price on his invoice and leave it at that.

 

[phender]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8933141#post8933141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xchrisjb
However, IMO I have found the Anemone FAQ to be rather lacking as a guide to anemone identification. It's great for husbandry, but poor for detailing the key characteristics that one should look for in making an ID. I'd love to see a "flow-chart" of sorts for ID. Unfortunately I don't feel that I have near enough experience to make an attempt ...

I'm not sure a flow chart (taxonomic key) would be as helpful as the pictures that are already in the FAQ. In most cases great effort was taken to show the differences in species in a pictorial account.
To be able to go through a key, you would need to have to know all kinds of anemone anatomy terms that the average hobbiest is not familiar with.
IMHO, I have always felt that the Anemone FAQ was one of the best informational sources available in any form. The recent update has made it even better. (And I not saying that just because some of my pics were used)

It is a shame more people don't use it.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9143293#post9143293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phender
Being a little devil's advocate here, but be careful what you wish for.
Online dealers and LFSs who know what they have are the ones that jack up the prices.
Examples: Most wholesalers don't sell acropora by species. They sell colored acropora and brown acropora. If an dealer is charging you more for a blue A. millipora than a blue A. tenuis then that is the dealer knowing what is more in demand, not that it cost him more.
Except for blues, all colored zoanthids cost the same at the wholesaler. If your LFS makes up a name and sells one for more than another, its because they know they can.
Colored giganteas should be the same price or less than colored haddonis based on wholesale prices.
When you are ordering something, it would be nice to get what you ordered.
But as far as my LFS goes, I will count on myself to have the ID knowledge. I would prefer my LFS guy to just double the price on his invoice and leave it at that.

I agree wholeheartedly, Phil.

I'm glad you used Acropora as an example because it was one comparison that I was thinking of using myself.

The general husbandry for most Acros (say blue tenuis and blue millepora) are very similar.
The husbandry requirements of a blue Haddon's and blue gigantea carpet anemone are much farther apart than those Acros.
(IMO & IME)

I don't believe that many people understand this.

 

[skyfireblaze]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9143382#post9143382 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phender
IMHO, I have always felt that the Anemone FAQ was one of the best informational sources available in any form. ...

It is a shame more people don't use it.

I agree. It truly does contain a wealth of anemone information. And the pictures are great too. I hope that no one thought that I was ungrateful that it exists or that I meant to state or imply that it wasn't a great resource for us all.

 

[Slakker]

As far as prices go, and for those of us who can ID an anemone or put it on hold until we can get the ID verified, the LFS not knowing what they have is a bit of a bonus...but for the impulse-buyer hobbiest, it would be really beneficial if the LFS could give them accurate information about the animal they're buying. It could help to preserve the natural source for anemones and delay the destruction of our reefs.

 

[wilvivas]

I have problems finding a site that tells you how to identify it yourself, peopl talk about if the base is this colour, oral disk bla bla bla... but where can i go to learn how to identify species?
My LFS's are far from reliable when it comes to scientific names and usually just call all anemones by colour... RBT or Purple tip anemone..