Just received H.malu (Tonga/Fiji) from LA
- Thread starter ezhoops
- Start date
elegance coral
They call me EC
I'm sorry Ed, but I have to disagree with this. There are those individuals that are unmistakably malu. (like the ones pictured in this thread.) There are others that are unmistakably crispa. Then there are those that seem to have traits from both. Maybe these anemones should be considered a species of their own????? Maybe crispa and malu are hybridizing????? IDK. All I do know is that coming to a conclusive ID on some of these anemones can be very difficult.
Here's an anemone I considered malu. It surely isn't your typical malu though. It has the column, pedal disk, overall size, and tentacle count of malu. The tentacle structure resembles crispa though. Most people would take one glance and consider it to be crispa, simply because of the tentacles.
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mr.iacuessa
New member
i can see your point, lol, it does kinda look like both... my crispa is tan with purple tips and longish tentacles, not as long as the ones in your picture elegance, but its still on the long road to recovery, its growing very fast though
Rotknee
Member
I was at my LFS (Vivid Aquariums) yesterday and happened to glance over at the nem tanks and "BAM" the color on this H. Malu shocked me. At first I couldn't tell what it was until I got a look at the orange base.
I acclimated it for about 3 hours before putting it in my DT. As soon as I placed it in my chosen spot a crazy *## peppermint shrimp came running out of the rocks and started attacking the base. He was able to do a small bit of damage before I secured the nem in another location. Buh-bye Mr. Peppermint shrimp. I couldn't get the nem to attach until I built this little cave/alcove for it earlier today. Since then it has attached and appears to be doing well.
My only concern is flow, as I do not want to provide too much. In doing my homework I have found conflicting views on what these nems like best. Right now my Vortechs are on 30% power and I plan to ramp up slowly over the new two weeks and observe the nem as I go. Overall, it's not the purple Gigantea I was looking for but I'm very happy with the purchase.
I acclimated it for about 3 hours before putting it in my DT. As soon as I placed it in my chosen spot a crazy *## peppermint shrimp came running out of the rocks and started attacking the base. He was able to do a small bit of damage before I secured the nem in another location. Buh-bye Mr. Peppermint shrimp. I couldn't get the nem to attach until I built this little cave/alcove for it earlier today. Since then it has attached and appears to be doing well.
My only concern is flow, as I do not want to provide too much. In doing my homework I have found conflicting views on what these nems like best. Right now my Vortechs are on 30% power and I plan to ramp up slowly over the new two weeks and observe the nem as I go. Overall, it's not the purple Gigantea I was looking for but I'm very happy with the purchase.
Big E
Premium Member
Elegance,
Your picture looks nothing like a Malu to me. If you've owned one & seen them in person there are a lot of unmistakeable traits. Pics on a website can be decieving, but I know a lot of the nems posted as malus are not.
I usually stay out of the ID debates because it serves no purpose as to who is correct.
Your picture looks nothing like a Malu to me. If you've owned one & seen them in person there are a lot of unmistakeable traits. Pics on a website can be decieving, but I know a lot of the nems posted as malus are not.
I usually stay out of the ID debates because it serves no purpose as to who is correct.
ezhoops
New member
rotknee, that nem is awesome. as for flow I keep my vortechs at about 35% - 40% and I make sure that there is a rock blocking some of the direct flow to the mouth of the nem. It has a nice little nook its buried in.
My next question is that my malu really hasn't eaten yet and it will be 2 weeks in 2 days. I've tried small 1/4" parts of krill and nothing, it is somewhat sticky eventually it lets it go.
it still looks good but I'm worried
Please advise
My next question is that my malu really hasn't eaten yet and it will be 2 weeks in 2 days. I've tried small 1/4" parts of krill and nothing, it is somewhat sticky eventually it lets it go.
it still looks good but I'm worried
Please advise
davocean
Active member
I wouldn't sweat it, especially that new.
I only spot feed about once a month.
Maybe also try raw shrimp, a very small piece, or what I feed is a small piece of raw scallop.
As long as color looks good, it's anchored, and mouth is not gaping I'd just chill.
It's still getting used to new conditions at 2 weeks.
I only spot feed about once a month.
Maybe also try raw shrimp, a very small piece, or what I feed is a small piece of raw scallop.
As long as color looks good, it's anchored, and mouth is not gaping I'd just chill.
It's still getting used to new conditions at 2 weeks.
Rotknee
Member
Having had mine for such a short period of time I have yet to attempt to feed it yet. I'll probably try a small piece of shrimp this weekend. Like daveocean said, I think it may still be adjusting to its new home. If it still looks as healthy as it did when you got it that is always a positive sign.
davocean
Active member
FWIW my younger days of keeping nems I never spot fed at all, ever.
When I first joined here I had already had my crispa and LTA for a year and a half before even hearing about spot feeding, and they got HUGE, too big.
I firmly believe light is their main source of energy.
I know Melev never spot feeds in an effort to keep his nems from growing too big too fast, and they look very healthy.
A new nem, I would not even worry about feeding 2-3 weeks to let it settle, unless it was bleached, and then I would only feed mysis to nurse it back to health.
When I first joined here I had already had my crispa and LTA for a year and a half before even hearing about spot feeding, and they got HUGE, too big.
I firmly believe light is their main source of energy.
I know Melev never spot feeds in an effort to keep his nems from growing too big too fast, and they look very healthy.
A new nem, I would not even worry about feeding 2-3 weeks to let it settle, unless it was bleached, and then I would only feed mysis to nurse it back to health.
