Mertens anemone success stories?

[DrDNA]

I've read a couple threads from the past, including phender's on his large mertensii that unfortunately didn't make it through the fragging attempt. Anyone else have any long term success stories with these anemones? Any special care requirements, or are they pretty similar to haddoni and gigantea in terms of light and flow? I understand they prefer to be in the rockwork instead of on the sand.

 

[phender]

As far as anemones go, I would say they they are right their with haddoni as far as ease of care and they probably ship better. Granted I don't see as many merten's as I see haddoni, but of the 10 or so I have seen, I think all have been in good health. I saw one that was torn, but even then it looked to be in good shape otherwise.

Their preferred anchoring spots are similar to BTAs, but like to have an area to drape their oral disk. Lighting suitable for LPS corals will do the job just fine. More light will give you more growth. They don't need nearly as much light as gigantea, nor as much current. Current needs are very similar to BTAs. Random current seem to work best IME. The one I have now has been with me for 2-3 years.

The biggest problem is finding one that is a suitable size for an aquarium. In addition, I hope you don't mind brown, because even though they come in different colors, brown is by far the most common.

 

[DrDNA]

Thanks Phil. Space isn't really an issue and I kind of like the strange and unusual. Hopefully I can find a healthy one and give it a try. You seen to have a knack for raising them!

 

[phender]

Thanks Phil. Space isn't really an issue and I kind of like the strange and unusual. Hopefully I can find a healthy one and give it a try. You seen to have a knack for raising them!

Like I said, raising them is relatively easy. Finding them for sale is the hard part. Good luck.