H. Malu care versus H. Crispa

[t4zalews]

I currently have a large crispa that my onyx call home. Although I love watching them rustle through this anemone it has gotten quiet large and takes up about a sixth of the tank. Have had it for about 7 months and it has been very healthy...long tentacles and VERY sticky. Its located on the bottom under a 400w XM raised 12" bulb to water. Anemone is about 20" below the surface.

I've been seeing purple malu's that would look just great in the tank. I'm planning on taking the beast to my LFS and getting a purple malu. Main question..are they hardier than the crispa? and do they require the same conditions?

From what I hear they tend to stay smaller ~6" or so. I might be off on that, I'm not sure. The new anemone will be housed under 2x250w radiums with 2x39w T5's, 20" below the surface, I am switching my lights.

Who has a malu and how have they liked it? have you seen any problems with them/trends?

I would consider the picture of my crispa as it shrunken slightly

 

[chasekwe]

Aren't they the same species?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Aren't they the same species?

No, they are two separate species.


I had one H. Malu for about 3 weeks, lost it the morning after feeding it a silverside. To my knowledge they do stay smaller, around 10 inches or so. In my very limited experience it wasn't all that different then any other sand dwelling anemone.

I believe that Mihn has a couple of them, hopefully he will chime in.

 

[OrionN]

They do stay small (less than 10 inches) and fairly easy to care for. Mine is under 12 inches of water sand bed (4 inches) 150W DE MH with mild to moderate water flow. They have not move for over 3 years. My water quality is good, don't over feed, no skimmer in a 30 g tank with two clowns and various corals and clams. They are very beautiful IMO. I got a green Male and a Purple female. I do change 10-15 gal every 4-6 weeks thus the water quality is really in that tank. I donot have a H. crispa at this time but as I remember from past experience, care for H. crispa is the same.

 

[t4zalews]

I do believe I have seen yours orion, they are very beautiful