Malu nem

[HiImSean]

I'm thinking I want to try my hand at an anemone again. I had a GBTA but after it ended up in the middle of a few zoa colonies I got rid of it. I'm starting to research malu (sebae) anemones for my tank. Its a 90g with 2 AI Sol Blues, decent amount of flow (2 WP25, MP10es, and Eheim 1262 return). Since I have very few corals on the sand bed I want something that won't pose a risk to my corals. My main concern is fish. I know some anemones will eat a fish if it happens to drift into their path, are malu prone to this? I'm planning on adding the nem after a few months since my tank is fairly young and I do plan on having some wrasses in the tank. I'd hate for a sleeping wrasse to become an anemone snack in the middle of the night. Any other advice on what I should look for when purchasing one.

In my research I saw that malu have an orange foot which will make them distinguishable from crispa. I know a few of my LFS carry nems that they call sebae that are mainly white with purple tips, I'll have to examine the foot more closely.

 

[sh0ck]

Are you planning A. Clarkii bullies ?

 

[HiImSean]

No, I currently have a single A. percula and plan on another or an A. ocellaris.

 

[OrionN]

...

In my research I saw that malu have an orange foot which will make them distinguishable from crispa. I know a few of my LFS carry nems that they call sebae that are mainly white with purple tips, I'll have to examine the foot more closely.

Malu does not have orange foot. It is M. dorrensis (LTA) with orange foot.
Malu and Crispa looks about the same except for Malu is smaller and with less tentacle count. Some Malu have striated band on the tentacles and some Malu with tentacles with different colors.

 

[HiImSean]

Thanks for clarifying that for me.

 

[Postal]

They don't necessarily have an orange foot, but they can have color on their base.

 

[OrionN]

I keep 5 Malu. Three at this time and none with color foot like that. All whitish delicate column

 

[OrionN]

Postal, can you post a picture of your anemone in a tank?

 

[Postal]

 

[OrionN]

That is a Malu alright.

 

[Postal]

That is a Malu alright.

I would not have posted it as an example if it wasn't a malu. :facepalm:

 

[HiImSean]

So should I worry about them munching on fish?

 

[Postal]

So should I worry about them munching on fish?

No, not unless the fish is extremely weak or ill and already on its way out.

 

[davocean]

I've never seen that bright orange of a foot on a Malu before either, and I've had a few.
Malu's are one of my favorite, great for mixed reefs since they stay at the sand bed, less wandering, stay fairly small.
They do not have that fish eating rep, but a weak or sick fish maybe as all nems go.
Medium light and flow, very similar to Doreensis/LTA in placement and light/flow needs, best by a ledge to pull in or out of light as needed.
You mentioned white sebae's, avoid white host nems except mertensi, they are bleached and while they can be brought back to health, it's preferable to start w/ a healthy nem.

 

[OrionN]

I would not have posted it as an example if it wasn't a malu. :facepalm:

sorry