Purple Anemone

I have a purple (LTA) M. Doreensis from bluezoo, its been with me for two years now. I bought the tiny one. It dug its foot in the sand quickly and ate some food I offered it. It took my pink skunk clown seconds for it to find it.
blurry picture of the pink skunk and tiny purple LTA.

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almost a year later
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A week after I moved it to my 120g tank in September 2008. Sold my pink skunk and now my chrysopterus clowns claimed it. Its not their natural host but they sure like it.
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Months after its been living in my 120g
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The clowns that have this anemone as a natural host in the wild is Pink skunks (A.perideraon), and Clarkiis. Although other clowns will accept it as a host too.

The only problems I've had with my LTA, is that its eaten some snails,and all my conchs. Other than that, it has been a great anemone and I wouldn't trade or sell it for anything.
 
That is a shot of a purple long tentacled anemone known scientifically as Macrodactyla doreensis. It naturally hosts Clark's (A. clarkii), pink skunks (A. perideraion), saddleback clowns (A. polymnus) and A. chrysogaster. They are a sand dwelling anemone that need atleast 4 inches of sand in which to bury their foot in order to feel "happy". As far as care goes, they are one of the hardier of the host anemones to keep, provided they are given a proper environment (deep sandbed, bright light, good water quality, etc.). I kept a purple one just like the one pictured on bluezoo's website for over a year. In that time it grew from about 6 inches to over a foot across. I eventually traded it to friend who still has it today and that was over three years ago.
 
also, wicked.. were your pink skunk clowns aggressive? I'm debating setting up a clown/anemone cube and trying to decide on the clown pair/anemones for my tank. I will keep the same species of anem. though.

Why did you end up getting rid of the pink skunks?
 
I had too many tanks, so I sold the tank the anemone was in and put my LTA in my 120g with my Chrysopterus. I couldn't put my pink skunks with my chrysopterus clowns. So naturally, I sold the pink skunk too. If I can get another tank, I would get another pair of pink skunks. They are such characters well worth having. Maybe even add more LTA's like a green and red one. :p now I'm dreaming :D
 
here is my purple anemone. Not ones usual choice for a host. Ive had it around 5 years. The pair just started spawing for me last summer.


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It really depends. A local vendor over by me is selling them for about $40 for a small one, but I'm sure they go up from there.
 
also, wicked.. were your pink skunk clowns aggressive? I'm debating setting up a clown/anemone cube and trying to decide on the clown pair/anemones for my tank. I will keep the same species of anem. though.

Why did you end up getting rid of the pink skunks?

I am not wicked, but....

I still have my pair of pink skunks, they currently are hosted by my blue Haddoni, but I did have them with a purple LTA for a while.

They weren't all that aggressive at first, but once they started spawning that changed. Last year I added a small Potter's to that tank, which had an existing Potter's, I had more trouble from the pink skunks then I did from the existing Potter's. Lots of chasing and some ripped fins that first week, but it did calm done after that.

An older picture of them with a purple LTA.

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Thanks for the great pic and information, Todd! Looks good!

Thanks.

This thread is making me miss having LTAs --- only have Haddonis now.


Here are some other pictures of the purple LTAs I have had over the years.

Pretty blurry, but still like it.

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