looking for mertens anemone
- Thread starter leucus
- Start date
D-Nak
Active member
Good luck with your search. I'm sure you know that they are extremely rare -- rare in the sense that many LFS usually don't know what they have if they get them in. My understanding is that collectors usually pass over them since their coloration isn't as nice as, say a haddoni or gigantea. That's too bad since they tend to do well in captivity (according to those who have them).
My LFS got two in about 6 months ago, so they are available every once in a while. Here's what it looked like:
If they happen to get more, I'll let you know.
My LFS got two in about 6 months ago, so they are available every once in a while. Here's what it looked like:
If they happen to get more, I'll let you know.
Last edited:
D-Nak
Active member
It was Aquatic Collection. (To the OP: they are in Hayward, CA but also have an eBay store.)
I wouldn't be surprised if Atlantis had one, since they have some pretty cool, rare stuff. I've never seen one at Neptune, but they have gotten in gigs, mags, and a really tiny red haddoni.
deangelr
Clown Whisperererer
In my experience they are neither rare nore drab... The one in your picture along with the one in my tank are as colorful and wonderful in my opinion as any red or blue haddoni or gig..
If you keep an eye out for them they will pop up at least quarterly.. That is not rare IMO..
D-Nak
Active member
I completely agree that mertensii are one of the most overlooked anemones. It's sad because they are hardy in captivity and they host many different types of clowns.
But the fact remains that many in the wild are a dull brown. The bright green one in the Fautin/Allen book is the nicest mertensii I've seen. The one at my LFS was a stunner, as many I've seen on the boards, but after talking with a few folks and a collector/exporter friend of mine -- the money is in the brightly colored carpets such as the red haddoni or blue and purple gigantea -- so many mertensii simply aren't collected (which, in many ways, is a good thing).
For one or two specimens to appear per year at the online stores and LFS that I monitor, I consider it to be rare, but defining how rare something is definitely personal opinion as many factors weigh in (access at a wholesale level, ability for LFS to order an item you want, etc.). I've never seen one on Divers Den in the few years that I've received their newsletter. In comparison to the other anemones available for sale, mertensii definitely come in less frequently. I would venture to guess that for every 200 or so carpets I've seen (haddoni and gigantea) I've only seen 1 mertensii.
deangelr
Clown Whisperererer
Ya for sure.... Ive spent too many years frustratingly waiting on divers and collectors to consider a mertens rare..
D-Nak
Active member
I forgot to mention that. I couple of people I've spoken to said that collectors find them frequently, they just happen to be 24"+.
Similar threads
