Heteractis Malu

[anthworks]

I traded in some frags and got some store credit and it burned a hole in my pocket. They had a nice specimen Heteractis Malu anemone. It was in good shape dark color, tight mouth and in the sand. Does anybody have any tips for these anemones?

 

[55semireef]

Strong lighting, moderate flow, stability and good water parameters will allow you to successfully keep this anemone. BTW, if it is new, I would make sure it eats. This is a sand anemone so it prefers to be in the sand. Good luck with it.

 

[raoul]

What 55semireef said

Do you have any pictures? I'd love to see it

We don't see too many malus, they usually turn out to be something else, but there have been a couple posts recently that appear to be malu.

 

[anthworks]

Let me post a picture. I put it into the tank last night. It was not as sticky as at the store. The mouth was gaping more then at the store as well. I hope it makes it. I am not big on impulse purchases but I had this store credit and its like funny money. The color is good and the foot is attaching so we will see.

I cant say for certain that its a Malu but that was what they called it at the store.

 

[raoul]

Can't wait to see the pic
thanks!

 

[marc price]

reefermadness.us had pics of a h. malu with a green oral disc and purple tenticles f.s. today

 

[GSMguy]

my LFS has two nice malu

 

[anthworks]

I am having problems getting this anemone to eat. It seems healthy but doesnt hold on to any food? I have had for about 2 weeks. Is this normal for a new anemone? I had a bubble tip for 2 years but it died in a power outage over the summer.

Any suggestions would be great

 

[COreefer]

Looks like H. Crispa to me...try using a turkey baster to squirt some mysis directly onto its mouth. You may need to turn off the pumps to give the nem time to ingest the food.

 

[anthworks]

thanks for the input. I thought the H. Crispa had longer tentacles?

 

[Amphiprion]

^^usually yes. I think yours is in reasonable shape, but has a bit of catching up to do. If you feed heavily, it should regain the longer tentacles.

 

[anthworks]

I was able to get it to eat last night. I soaked a piece of shrimp in selcon and turned off the pumps. Dropped it dead center on the anemone and it eat the piece quickly. I am going to try and feed heavily and get it back in good shape.

 

[Amphiprion]

Please do. It is just about the best thing you can do for it.

 

[GSMguy]

you can overfeed them make sure not to overfeed
also seems we all have luck with silversides

 

[anthworks]

Is one feeding per day too much ?

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9125174#post9125174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anthworks
Is one feeding per day too much ?

IME, yes. It is good to allow them to digest what they have. Every other day is the max, whereas I consider 1-2x per week the minimum (though some do get by with less). I personally try to feed mine every other day.