crispa anemone question

[jon1985]

So I picked up what was labeled as a crispa at the LFS. It had been there a few weeks and looked healthy in the store.

One question I have and cant seem to find a consistant answer to is, how much flow do they like?

I placed it at the rock/sand interface so it could decide where to go. It buried half its foot in the sand and the rest on the rock. After a few days it started moving.

Any suggestions? rock?sand? high flow? low flow?

EDIT: the more reading I do Im not ure its a crispa. The foot and underside of the anemone are are spooth and brown. The top is a light yellow/cream coloured. They tenticles are about an inch long.

Thanks

 

[bradleym]

If you would post a picture, perhaps the people on here could help you ID it first.

 

[jon1985]

I dont have a camera so I will try and find a picture online that looks the same.

Edit: after some searching this looks the most like the anemone I have at home.

NOTE: this is not my picture I found it on google.

 

[anemoneguy]

Looks like the pic is of a ritteri. Both will attach to hard surfaces but there is a big difference in the two on how their needs and how hardy they are. You really need to I'd your anemone and I'd suggest not going on what your local fish store has them labeled as. Do your research first and then buy. Does yours have a smooth Colum or does it have white bumbs and what color is the Colum?

 

[jon1985]

the column is smooth and a light brown colour.

 

[t4zalews]

Here was mine when I had it. Usually sand dwelling, but if it doesnt have enough light it will climb onto the rocks. It will bury its foot into the sand under a rock usually. I have an SPS tank so I have good water movement, it was in the middle of the tank getting medium/high flow, enough for the tentacles to swirl around.

 

[BonsaiNut]

Without a photo we are all just guessing.

 

[bradleym]

the column is smooth and a light brown colour.

This plus the pic leads me to believe it is a Heteractic Magnifica, aka Ritteri Anemone. They like lots of flow, lots of light, and want the highest point on your rockwork if they can get it.

 

[jon1985]

I will try for an actual picture tonight

 

[jon1985]

These are some pics I was able to get of my anemone. The first and last are what the top looks like. The middle pic is mart of the underside I think, the whole bottom side and column are this colour.

 

[phender]

That is H. magnifica. It looks to be in pretty good shape other that being bleached out.
Look at Bradleym's post for care requirements or on the anemone FAQ:http://www.carlosreef.com/download/fclick.php?1

It is going to need to be fed a couple times a week, since it doesn't have much zooxanthellae. I would suggest small chopped foods like thawed and broken up Formula 1 cubes.

 

[jon1985]

thanks for the quick ID. if they want to be on the top of the pile does that mean they are ok with their foot being exposed?

 

[phender]

thanks for the quick ID. if they want to be on the top of the pile does that mean they are ok with their foot being exposed?

Yep, they prefer it that way. If you have a flat-ish rock that you can put high in the tank under your light (if you have Metal halides) the anemone will tend to stay put. Keep the "perch" away from the glass or your anemone will climb the glass to get higher.

 

[jon1985]

I am running 6 t5 bulbs on individual reflectors about 4" off the water so I should be ok for light, I just have to find him a perch. I was hoping for a sand dweller but if he is healthy and willing to stay put is hard to argue.

 

[BonsaiNut]

thanks for the quick ID. if they want to be on the top of the pile does that mean they are ok with their foot being exposed?

Anemones that rely more on zooxanthellae than on capturing food have evolved differently. H. magnifica in the wild lies open on the top of rocks, and likes very bright light.

By the way, your H. magnifica is completely bleached. It will take a while to recover.

 

[garygb]

You should be fine if your t-5s are good quality in terms of brand and proper spectrum (e.g. ATI Blue Plus, GE Daylight) and, the fixture has individual reflectors. I've had my mags under T-5s for over 6 months now, and I would say they seem to do as well, if not better as compared with MH. I would suggest you bring the anemone up preferably within a foot or less of the water's surface.

 

[jon1985]

moved to about 12" bellow water. Hope he does well because he will have to go through just about all my sps colonies if he wants to move.

 

[garygb]

If you provide proper conditions it should not move at all: good water flow, large flat rock to sit on, temp 80-82F, nitrates preferably undetectable, and strong light.