Need help with ident/ is he ok?

[james37128]

I bought this little guy at LFS today and They had no idea what he is, upon researching I could not figure it out either. I am wondering if maybe he is sick that why he doesn't look like usual, maybe lost all of his color, or what. I cant figure it out. It has little white bands around the tentacles and as you can see they are fairly short almost like a carpets. The base is white, and dark spotted where the tentacles come out. Any help would be greatly appreciated
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/james37128/Anemone/photo#5118583993650453010"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/james37128/RwjdBdaJGhI/AAAAAAAAAEk/DVstq9ea0-o/s800/IMG_0442.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/james37128/Anemone/photo#5118584771039533634"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/james37128/RwjdutaJGkI/AAAAAAAAAE8/DCOFs7KhKxM/s800/IMG_0447.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/james37128/Anemone/photo#5118584431737117234"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/james37128/Rwjda9aJGjI/AAAAAAAAAE0/2EJj0iJgStE/s800/IMG_0446.JPG"
/></a>

 

[traveller7]

Looks a bit like it could be a beat up Heteractis aurora or H. malu.

If it has not buried itself in the sand, dig a depression next to the live rock, and see if it will attach to the bottom.

If it attaches to the rocks and begins climbing, that would be an indicator of some other species.

Try to feed it some mysis/cut fish/etc in a few days. Small portions will be required, no larger then 1cm by 1cm.

Good luck and lets see how it looks after settling in.

 

[james37128]

so how can i tell if he gives up on living?

 

[traveller7]

When anemones die, they tend to turn inside out, melt, not attach to rock or bury in sand.

Recently shipped sand loving anemones may or may not have the resources to bury themselves in, hence the recommendation to give them a hand.

Best of luck.

 

[phender]

I agree with Scott. It's either H. aurora or H. malu. Since the foot doesn't appear to be red, I would lean towards H. malu. Either way the care is the same.

 

[Slakker]

I'd be inclined to say H. Malu, but it could be Aurora.

It doesn't look like it's in terrible shape, but following the advice of the above posters, you'll have a better chance of survival.

 

[marc price]

i'd go with h. malu because it's tentacles have rings of contrasting color but aren't beaded as those of h. aurora.

 

[timrandlerv10]

can i ask how much you paid for it, and if the guy knew what it was when he sold it?

 

[james37128]

I bought it in japan, no the store had NO clue what it was when they sold it to me. I paid 15$.

 

[timrandlerv10]

How in the world are you going to get that home?!

 

[james37128]

Live here

Live here

I am in the military and I live here.

 

[timrandlerv10]

You're coming home eventually right?