help getting purple sebae malu to attach

[krak256]

I bought a purple sebae from DD about 2 weeks ago and it still hasn't attached. I tried putting it in a breeder box, different locations in my tank, placed rock underneath it, walled it off with rubble... etc.

it just won't attach at all. the mouth remains tight and it looks good. any suggestions?

 

[Nebthet]

Sebaes are a sand dwelling anemone and while they may attach to live rock, if lighting conditions are acceptable in that area, they prefer the sand bed.

Assuming you updated to the 70cube you were contemplating back in March, and got a 6 or 8 bulb T5 fixture you should be fine was placing the anemone on the sand bed.

Choose an area with moderate flow that will allow the tentacles to gently sway. Then dig a small hole and place the anemone foot first in the whole.
To keep the current from knocking the anemone over while it gets used to where it is and hopefully extends it's foot into the sandbed, I would suggest getting one of those plastic fruit baskets to use as a cage. This will keep any fish you have away from the anemone while it establishes itsself.

Also ensure you leave lots of room around this anemone to grow because it will get huge and sebaes do not split.

 

[rc4kinu]

I recently purchased one that was inside a 4 in. diameter pvc pipe cut about 2 inches high. I asked to keep it and put the whole thing inside my tank on the sand. Anemone is very happy and secure.

 

[krak256]

thanks for the tips guys.

nebthet, yes, i got the 70g with an 8 bulb ati fixture. the thing is, my sandbed is about 4 inches deep while the sebaes foot is only 1-2 long, max. wouldnt it get blown around no matter what?

 

[jt_milstead]

Put the Malu in a low flow area, and make a little hole in the sand so that its easier for it foot itself....

 

[Nebthet]

I would suggest to try to put it up against a piece of rock so that it can attach itsself to the rock through the sand. That or near the glass.

 

[krak256]

I would suggest to try to put it up against a piece of rock so that it can attach itsself to the rock through the sand. That or near the glass.

yea, that came to mind and i tried that in 2 locations. i tried again last night in a different location. it started to attach to a piece of rock, but its not firmly attached yet. not sure why it doesnt want to attach...

 

[jt_milstead]

How much flow do you have?

 

[Nebthet]

Flow in my tank is different all over the place. There are areas that have higher flow, specifically if there are sps there, and others that are much lower.

The area I have my sebae in right now is in a low flow area due to the placement of the rockwork.
Every couple of days I will put on one of my koralia 3 power heads to up the circulation in conjunction with my vortechs to allow for debris throughout the tank in the lower flow areas to be picked up and carried away and it allows for water flow through the sebae a bit more without bothering it too much.

I would suggest, if you feel there is too much flow in the area you are putting your sebae then take a couple spare pieces of live rock you may have and create a bit of a current block to deflect some of it. You just want a very slight current until it decides to attach. Sort of a very light breeze on a hot summer day sort of thing. You want the current to sort of tickle the tentacles.