ID? (or even better) Source?

[bradleym]

I found this looking for pics of a Hell's Fire Anemone. It was posted on another forum back in 2008, and it was reposted from some random google search then, so asking for any info would be pointless. My question is this - does anyone know if this an anemone or coral? I've never seen either that look like this, except Waratah anemones. But they are temperate, and this is looks to be a tropical tank (based on the sexy shrimp). So, what is it? And if it's an anemone, has anyone seen them for sale?? Thanks all in advance.

 

[ilyad]

Looks a lot like a Beadlet anemone... Im not sure though

 

[ilyad]

or it can be a Waratah Anemone

 

[bradleym]

Looks a lot like a Beadlet anemone... Im not sure though

or it can be a Waratah Anemone

I was always taught that Beadlets (Actinia Equina) and Waratahs (Actinia Tenebrosa) were both temperate species, and would not do well in a tropical reef. The sexy shrimp in the picture, I believe, is a tropical reef shrimp, and would not do well in a coldwater system. So I could be wrong, but I was thinking maybe there was another species that did well in warmer waters. Thanks for the suggestions though!

 

[ilyad]

They normally are temperate species but they are also from tide pools, so they can survive through pretty significant changes in temp. Id imagine that those guys are stuck in the tank although they are colder water nems just because someone said, "well, they survive and adjust to warm temps ok, so why not give it a shot?"

Now, whether they are actually enjoying themselves that's a dif story.

 

[bradleym]

Haha, you raise a valid point. Thanks!

 

[ViPeR_930]

Years ago I had a couple waratahs in my tank around 80 degrees and they popped out a few babies.

 

[bradleym]

Nice! Well I'm running 75-76f on mine, so maybe I'll give them a try. Thanks for the feedback.