H. Magnifica?

[sdunkin]

I was at a somewhat local pet store today and they had a decent looking H. Magnifica for sale. I have heard a few scary stories about them, so I didn't purchase it while I was there because I wanted to gather so more information before I do.

The nem has been at the store for at least 10 days (to my knowledge) and was partially attached to the glass and partially attached to the only piece of LR in the tank. It looked inflated, but the tentacles looked a little short. Does this sound like it is doing okay, or should I pass on it?

The tank it will be going into is a 40g breeder with 2-150 watt 14K Phoenix HQI, it was upgraded from a 1 year old 30g long and has been running for about 6 months.

 

[garygb]

I would say if it doesn't look bleached and the mouth is closed, then it might be in good shape. What kind of lighting does the lfs have for the tank where the anemone is? Although a 40 gallon is okay when the anemone is smaller, it might outgrow it eventually, as they can get over two feet across. I think a more important concern for a smaller tank like a 40 gallon is maintaining good quality water. Your lighting should be fine.

 

[sdunkin]

I couldn't see the mouth, but it doesn't look bleached at all. I believe the store just has it under CF lighting, but I'm not sure and they wouldn't tell me what they were using. I haven't had any issues with water quality, and my take has ~ 60g total water volume. My main concern was that the nem was quite pricey, and I didn't want to pay that much to only have it die.

 

[Gig 'em]

I would be a bit weary of only having 60 gallons of water. They tend to require a greater water volume than that

 

[garygb]

CF lighting can be okay if the anemone is close to the bulb. Could you ask them to feed the anemone for you? If it has a good feeding response, I would think it's in good shape. It sounds like your system if fine. I am a believer in keeping the specific gravity around 35ppt (~1.026) and preferably undetectable nitrates.

 

[Slakker]

Have you kept an anemone before?

Magnifica's are among the most difficult to keep with long term success. I would definitely make sure that you can meet its needs before you consider buying it.

 

[jkrentz2515]

It's odd that they wouldn't let you know what kind of lighting they have over that tank.

 

[tufacody]

I would pass on any pricey mag. Learned the hard way.

 

[sdunkin]

I've kept BTAs with success (I even managed to save a bleached one that I got from a local reefer). I have no measurable nitrates according to my test kit, and I always keep my salinity at 1.025. I'm not sure, but I think the reason they wouldn't tell me what the lighting is was because the kid that I asked had no clue. I know for sure that they were not kept under halides, but that is about it.

 

[garygb]

How pricey is it?

If the coloration is good (not bleached) then I wouldn't be overly concerned about the lighting it's under at the pet shop. If you've kept BTAs successfully and you are researching H. mags, my guess is that you are as good a candidate as any to keep one of these rather demanding anemones. Your water quality sounds good and I assume your system will be dedicated to the anemone right? A magnifica and a pair of clowns would probably be about all you would want to keep in a 40 gallon. By the way, speaking of clowns ocellaris and perculas love them and they are both rather gentle species. I think clowns can facilitate an H. magnifica settling in, some would argue that the anemone needs to settle in first and then add the clowns later. Either way I think would be fine, as long as clowns are small and not too aggressive with the anemone.

Let us know whether you end up getting it. If it's not too inconvenient, posting a phone pic could also be a way to get some feedback on the health of the anemone.

 

[sdunkin]

Its $99 and about 5-7" across. I already have a pair of True Percs (grade b picassos) that are still somewhat young, which I'm hoping will quit hosting the overflow and go for the nem if I do get it. I do have LPS and softies in the tank, but I still have a large area of the rockwork that is close to the light open (proly 18" x 18"). I have a few other small fish in the tank, but I'm very religious about doing my weekly water changes (6 gallons every week). As of yet, I have never had measurable nitrates.

I wish I would of taken a phone pic of it while I was there. The store is about 30 minutes away, so I really can't just run over there to take a picture. I think I'm going to go check it out again in the next day or two, and if it still looks okay bring it home.

Thank you so much for your help, and I will post if/when I get it.

 

[garygb]

That is a bit pricey for a smaller magnifica, but if it's healthy and you really want it, it will likely be a long-time pet for you. Your percs will very likely go to it in no time. I had a true perc in a tank with two btas and it didn't host them, but when I moved one of my H. magnificas into the tank, within an hour it was already in it. I was surprised it went for it so quickly. Your water change schedule is perfect, good for you. Hopefully the anemone will still be there and look good when you go to the store.

 

[sdunkin]

Well, I went to the LFS today and it was still there. It looked quite well compared to the 2 previous times I'd seen it, so I went ahead and purchased it. It had to be manhandled a bit in order to get it bagged (gently scrape it off the glass and then get the 2 tiny clowns that were in it out) so they did discount the price on it some. I'm still rather nervous about it, but I'm hoping it does well.

 

[garygb]

I'll keep my fingers crossed everything goes well. The first few weeks until they settle in is the most nerve-racking. During that time it might not eat at first and it might move around a bit. Please post pics of your anemone and your tank. I expect your perculas will take to it in short order.

 

[sdunkin]

So far it seems okay, although I know it is way too early to judge. It looks plenty inflated, but the mouth is open a just small amount. It was open more earlier when I first got it home and it was still acclimating in the bag. I was surprised how sticky the nem was when I was trying to pull it out, and it quickly attached to the rock that is right under one of the 150 HQI of my Sunpod. The clowns haven't found it yet, but I figured I would try feeding them near it later because I really think they haven't even noticed it yet.

I'll try to get some pictures of it later.

 

[garygb]

Sticky is always good with anemones. Attaching quickly is also a good sign. When you said they manhandled it at the lfs, I was worried that perhaps they tore its base, but hopefully not. I'm betting your clowns will find their new house before this time tomorrow. Pics;-)

 

[redfishsc]

Just beware it moving, magnificas are legends for moving a lot and killing everything in it's path.

I would personally only keep it in a tank with very few inverts, but enough rock to make the tank look nice (and have good bio filtration) and just let the magnifica and clowns be all the eye-candy.

 

[garygb]

How's the magnifica doing?

 

[sdunkin]

The Magnifica is still alive, but it is currently a little shrunken and the mouth is a tad bit open. It looked decent earlier, so I'm hoping that it might just be doing a "water change" like my BTAs occasionally do. It has moved off of the rock that I put it on, and is now on the back glass of the tank.

I really think it would help if my clowns would go in it, but as of yet they are still staying by the overflow box. They will go over to it and look occasionally, but not go in it.

 

[garygb]

Sometimes they will climb the glass if they aren't placed on a mound of rock directly under the light. I am surprised that the clowns haven't taken up with it yet. Hopefully they will in a few days. Can you post a pic of it?