Does Crispa = Radianthus?

[ReefAus]

Hi

Can someone clarify whether a Crispa is one and the same as a Radianthus anemone please? I've researched RC and a number of other sites and it still remains unclear. Thanks :rollface:

Rgds

Steve

 

[Winwood]

The short answer is no. The long answer is crispa is the species name for Heteractis crispa most commonly referred to as the sebae anemone. Randianthus is a non valid genus name for Heteractis magnifica. This happens when the same species is described by two or more seperate scientists upon probable discovery. In the event of this occurence the oldest documented name takes precedence over the other. Despite the mistake the name Radianthus has remained in the hobby for many years and will probably continue to do so because it has become such a common name for this anemone species.

 

[ReefAus]

No worries, thanks for that....Basically a shop in Sydney is selling a couple of nems, one that was sold as a Magnifica and the other as a Radianthus which is attached. Confirmation on the ID of the nem would be much appreciated; after looking on various sites, it looks like a Crispa to me. Thanks :rollface:

Rgds

Steve

 

[Winwood]

No problem, however from the photo attached I would venture a guess that that it is a Condylactis anemone which is from the Carribean and does not naturally host clowns. I'm going off that shape of the tentacles which appear much to blunt to be crispa which usually taper to a fine point.

 

[ReefAus]

Hmmmn, what ever it is they want $180 for it which I think is too much...They also said that its good for Occellaris clowns which I am not too sure about, it certainly doesn't look anything like what they would naturally host in..Thanks.

Rgds

Steve

 

[traveller7]

If you look closely, there is another portion of tentacles, dark brown around the bottom which do not look anything like Atlantic or Pacific Condylactis sp. Who knows what that big pair of clowns and collection have done to that specimen.

Frankly the picture is terrible for ID purposes. If it is a hosting species, and if it is a single anemone, I'd venture a guess toward H. malu for having varied tentacle length, pink tips, and outrageous cost

Regardless, I would not buy it based on that picture for any price ;>)

fwiw: Radianthus was the genus name for aurora, crispa, and magnifica as late as the 1970's.
http://www.nhm.ku.edu/inverts/ebooks/ch1.html#crispa

Cheers.

 

[ReefAus]

Thanks for your reply guys, very much appreciated...I certainly won't be buying the nem, I ended up getting a Crispa for about $40. I note what you guys get in the way of stock in US is outstanding and reasonably priced whereas here in Aus we pay for the most part exorbitant prices. Cheers.

Rgds

Steve