Large S. Gigantea Source

[Pastey]

I recently lost my livestock in the flooding that hit Louisiana in August. While my home is being repaired, I've been contemplating what to do with my tank if/when I set it back up. I've tentatively decided that I'd like to explore restarting with a large S. gig as the centerpiece. I'm confident about my ability to treat as I've done so with success in the past which is the only reason this is even a consideration.

More to the point: Can anyone point me to a source that has relatively good track record of reliable shipping and healthy specimens? I'd prefer to buy one in captivity AND local but I know that's like finding a needle in a haystack...especially considering the size I'd like (1'+ preferable).

 

[ThRoewer]

A good source for large ones can be LiveAquaria, though those usually always need treatment.
We have a local store here that sometimes gets gigs and a few times even large ones. Though even with those you always have a 50/50 chance that you have to treat.

With giganteas you have to be ready to treat. So you should have Cipro on hand before ordering one.

 

[Winwood]

A good source for large ones can be LiveAquaria, though those usually always need treatment.
We have a local store here that sometimes gets gigs and a few times even large ones. Though even with those you always have a 50/50 chance that you have to treat.

With giganteas you have to be ready to treat. So you should have Cipro on hand before ordering one.

Liveaquaria is a great source for a lot of livestock, but myself and others have had issues with some of the more sensitive anemone species. They pretreat many of their nems with Cipro before shipping, which is great if the anemone is going to stay in place for a while. However, it's been my experience, that these anemones respond poorly when needed to be treated a second time. Perhaps the bacterial infections spreads again during the stressful shipping process and becomes somewhat immune to the antibiotic, or the anemone just doesn't have enough reserves to get it through a second treatment.

 

[geckoejon]

imo, i would just look for a healthy specimen, and not worry as much about size.... gigs are easy to get to grow in size under the right conditions.

as far as an online source, i couldn't help... i've always found them locally... i would ask one of your local shops to bring some in. works for me, when i'm patient ;-)

 

[ThRoewer]

Liveaquaria is a great source for a lot of livestock, but myself and others have had issues with some of the more sensitive anemone species. They pretreat many of their nems with Cipro before shipping, which is great if the anemone is going to stay in place for a while. However, it's been my experience, that these anemones respond poorly when needed to be treated a second time. Perhaps the bacterial infections spreads again during the stressful shipping process and becomes somewhat immune to the antibiotic, or the anemone just doesn't have enough reserves to get it through a second treatment.

Quality Marine or Diver's Den?
I somewhat doubt that QM is treating anemones with cipro.
And I would not get one of the DD anemones as they are usually way too pricy.

 

[Pastey]

Treatment is not a problem as I've done it before. I've heard positive things about iBluewater livestock. Anyone have any experience?

 

[OrionN]

I had luck with Joseph at Aquarium Collection in Hayward CA
and David at Procoral (or Proreef) in Chicago.
They worked with me to send healthy anemone to me.
I would not worry about size. Once you have them healthy, get them to grow is so easy. Smaller anemones is much easier to get healthy.
You can get 4 inches Gigantea to what ever size you want in 12 months. 20 inches you want? No problem.

 

[Pastey]

I'll get in touch with them, Minh. Thank you. Do you notice a collection "season" or are collections more sporadic throughout the year?

 

[OrionN]

Gigantea often come in more in the cool season, start about now.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

since QM has been mentioned, here's a pic of a gig I got last Thursday from them. It's gone through 7 days of Cirpo. The pic is from this morning.

 

[ThRoewer]

Treatment is not a problem as I've done it before. I've heard positive things about iBluewater livestock. Anyone have any experience?

Never tried iBluewater myself, but there were some threads where people reported problems with the anemones they got from them (or didn't get).
I personally would not buy an anemone there just due to the price.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[olemiss reb]

Have Aquahut order you one and treat. It may take a while for John to find one but it will be infinitely cheaper and it won't have any prior med exposure.

I had one dealing with Ibluewater and would not recommend for Gigs.

 

[taylor t]

I had luck with Joseph at Aquarium Collection in Hayward CA
and David at Procoral (or Proreef) in Chicago.
They worked with me to send healthy anemone to me.
I would not worry about size. Once you have them healthy, get them to grow is so easy. Smaller anemones is much easier to get healthy.
You can get 4 inches Gigantea to what ever size you want in 12 months. 20 inches you want? No problem.

4 of my 10 are from what most the locals know as Dave from Aqua Pro's, I think David at Procoral reef, same I think. He has a rear shop (aqua pros) and a front shop Procoral reef, I think the same but I don't get out much anymore.

Gigantea often come in more in the cool season, start about now.

I notice the same over the years, spring and fall usually have a batch each season come in, then don't see any for months.

I had one dealing with Ibluewater and would not recommend for Gigs.

My experience as well.

 

[AD87]

Bob has fell through a few times and I no longer recommend him. He has flat out ignored me recently.

 

[Pastey]

Gigantea often come in more in the cool season, start about now.

I would love to start but it may be that I can't really even set back up until 2017. Hoping to get back in the home before years end and then I have to build a new stand, redo all the plumbing. Budget might allow for better lighting. THEN a nice long cycle begins....

 

[anemoneguy]

got a nice deep blue gig from aquatic collection over a year ago. its not grown much because i dont direct feed it, but been healthy and stayed put from day 1. so yes look for health over size. if you feed them they will grow...

 

[asudavew]

A good source for large ones can be LiveAquaria, though those usually always need treatment.
We have a local store here that sometimes gets gigs and a few times even large ones. Though even with those you always have a 50/50 chance that you have to treat.

With giganteas you have to be ready to treat. So you should have Cipro on hand before ordering one.

I always got terrible specimens from LA. They treat them with antibiotics in their care.
Not sure if that has to do with the quality or not.

The best specimens I have received have come from saltwaterfish.com and Blue Aquatics.

 

[ThRoewer]

I always got terrible specimens from LA. They treat them with antibiotics in their care.
Not sure if that has to do with the quality or not.

The best specimens I have received have come from saltwaterfish.com and Blue Aquatics.

Where did those come from, Quality Marine or Diver's Den?
I know that DD sometimes treats anemones, but I somewhat doubt QM is doing it.

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[asudavew]

Where did those come from, Quality Marine or Diver's Den?
I know that DD sometimes treats anemones, but I somewhat doubt QM is doing it.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Diver's Den carpets and magnifica are treated. Not sure about QM. I haven't had much luck with QM either.

Do you know what supplier saltwaterfish.com uses?

 

[D-Nak]

Bob has fell through a few times and I no longer recommend him. He has flat out ignored me recently.

For those who don't know, Bob is the owner of iBlueWater. I don't recommend him either. At the prices he changes, one would assume he only sells nems that actually QTed as he says he does (established for over a month and thriving).

I always got terrible specimens from LA. They treat them with antibiotics in their care.
Not sure if that has to do with the quality or not.

The best specimens I have received have come from saltwaterfish.com and Blue Aquatics.

I've gotten a few gigs from Blue Zoo Aquatics, who I think you're referring to. My success rate is about 50%. One time they sent me a haddoni by accident and let me keep it, then credited back my account. However, they rarely get colored gigs, just tan and multi-color. When they did offer colored gigs, they were extremely expensive.

I always recommend Aquatic Collection. They regularly have gigs and ship all over the country. Fortunately, for a few of us, they're local. If you give them a call and they happen to have one, I'd be happy to swing by and check it out for you.

Finally, I'm sure you've done this or are planning to based on your interest in finding a local specimen, but definitely let other local reefers and your reef club know that you're looking for a gig. My last three acquisitions came from locals who were taking down their tanks, no longer had room for an anemone, or were having issues with their gigs and wanted me to treat them.