Finding a host -- where?

[RobNJ]

I am trying to find a natural host for my Ocs..

Known hosts include H.Magnifica (impossible to keep in captivity) S. Gigantea (Impossible to find) and S. Mertensi (Even more impossible to find) .


Anyone have any suggestions? Where to find any of these guys in somewhat of a healthy condition. I have checked with my reef club and no-one has anything for sale.

 

[Lmecher]

I went with a bta. They took a while but eventually hosted. Easy to find and easy to keep beats impossible! : )

 

[Sound]

My ocellaris hosted my flowerpot coral aka goniopora. Try a long tentacle anemone. I've heard quite a few successful hosting

 

[RobNJ]

Well I have read that the BTA is a low light anemone. Will my 2x250w 10K MH lights fry him?

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13778270#post13778270 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobNJ
Well I have read that the BTA is a low light anemone. Will my 2x250w 10K MH lights fry him?

As long as you acclimate it to the lights, no it won't. While I no longer have BTAs, did keep them under 2*250 in my 75 for over a year.

 

[RobNJ]

If I could find a Magnifica locally I would try it, but they just don't ship well. Who if anyone has good deals online for a RBTA?

 

[garygb]

It's true that H. magnificas are often in bad shape after collection in the wild and then shipping. On the otherhand, if you get one that is healthy and you provide it with good conditions, then they are quite hardy. And, ocellaris and perculas go to them like magnets. BTAs are definitely the best "first-time anemone keeper" host anemone and often times ocellaris will accept them as a host, but they clearly prefer H. magnifica.

You certainly have adequate light for an H. magnifica. I don't know anything else about your tank specs, but H. magnificas like to be on the top of a large rock where they get good lighting and water flow. They need natural strength sea water, i.e. salinity of 35ppt (sg 1.026-1.027) and temps in the 80-82 range, and preferably undetectable nitrates.

 

[RobNJ]

Yeah, I am sure I could support one now. I have 6200 gph turnover, 180 lbs of live rock, All tunze streams with a controller. Supher denitrator, kalk stirrer, phosban reactor, carbon reactor, refugium... Problem is where do you find one that is healthy. I emailed saltwaterfish.com asking how long they have their magnificas and if they are healthy. No reply :/

Who has ordered a Magnifica Online? Anyone?

 

[garygb]

Yeah, it sounds like you have the conditions to suit one, unfortunately I've never ordered one online. I lucked out and was able to find two healthy ones at a lfs. I'm in Los Angeles, so that's not any help to you. If you have a trusted fish shop, perhaps they could get one for you. Drs. Foster and Smith often have H. magnificas, and generally they are good in terms of customer service, but I haven't ever ordered livestock through them. I think I saw one in their Diver's Den earlier today.

 

[supersurfer12]

Ya I ordered mine from Dr.Foster and Smith divers den and this is it after 1 day.

[/IMG]
I have had it for 3 weeks and it eat like an animal everyday it looks even better than the photo and its i swear grown 2 inches