Ritteri/Magnifica Primer Thread?

[tingleyl]

Anyone know if there is a Mag primer thread like many of the fish have on here? If so could someone point me in the right direction?

We're currently building our first tank. (200 gal) and have decided we'd like Mags. We only want one, but as I'm building the tank I'd like to make sure I plan accordingly.

Obviously I've read the normal stuff:
No nems before 6 mos.
They like to be high on rocks with high flow.
Tons of light.
If they start to look sick or flesh starts flaking off get them out ASAP.
Expert care only <- but what makes them expert only?

Any good threads on care/best practices? Special requirements? Do they play ok with Tangs?

 

[elegance coral]

"Do they play okay with tangs?" Hummmmmm

 

[elegance coral]

I'm just messin with you.:lmao: Sorry about that.

Honestly, you have very little to worry about with mag's and tangs. Just make sure the tangs aren't over crowded. If the tangs have plenty of room to swim, and get along well with their tank mates, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. All large anemones have the potential to capture and eat fish, but it's very rare with mag's and large fish.

 

[tingleyl]

Hah, I'm new enough to this hobby, I'm easy to mess with! For everything I learn I find there's a dozen other questions that come up.

I thought you were really raining on my parade...So what is in the image then? Is that an elegance? I hope not, because I had plans of getting an elegance for the other side of the tank on the opposite rock pile...

 

[2Addicted]

Its a mag with a tang in its belly lol

 

[elegance coral]

For everything I learn I find there's a dozen other questions that come up.

That's not because you're new. That's just the nature of the hobby. I've been at this well over 20 years, and I'm still in the same boat.:reading:

I thought you were really raining on my parade...So what is in the image then?

That is my magnifica after capturing and eating my yellow tank. It is the only time I've ever heard of a magnifica capturing and eating a large tank. It's such an odd occurrence, I had to snap a picture.

Is that an elegance? I hope not, because I had plans of getting an elegance for the other side of the tank on the opposite rock pile...

Just keep in mind that elegance and magnificas are on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to flow. Elegance corals are very low flow critters, and mag's like high alternating flow. This can make designing the system a little tricky.

 

[tingleyl]

Hm...thanks for the info...I guess I hadn't done enough research on the Elegance to realize it needed different flow. Have to add that to my list of things to research.

So do you have your elegance in the same tank as your mag? If so how do you handle the flow?

 

[garygb]

"Expert care only <- but what makes them expert only?"

I think first and foremost you want to begin with a healthy specimen. Magnificas don't seem to do so well in shipping and are often in a weakened condition by the time they arrive at the lfs. I've had a magnifica for 9 years and frankly, I would say once they are well established they can be quite hardy. In that time, mine lived under PCs for years, had nitrates spike to above 60, etc. Mind you, it was inches away from the PC bulbs (two 96-watt 10000K and 6700K quads), but it didn't move, grew and generally did fine. When the nitrates were so high, the anemone didn't look its best and wandered. So, from my experience they can survive less than ideal conditions if they're established and healthy; however, to thrive I would say they are somewhat demanding. They need high intensity lighting (MH or high quality T-5 and to be within a foot or so of the bulbs I would guess, perhaps LEDS, but I have no idea for sure), they need good water flow, they need undetectable nitrates (I think this is especially important for them to look their best), specific gravity 1.026-1.027, temp. 80-82F, a smooth, flat piece of liverock to attach. Also, to have room where the anemone isn't in contact with any other animals and does not touch the sides of the tank--a centerpiece perhaps.

I would suggest regular water changes, a quality protein skimmer, general good husbandry practices.

BTW, elegance corals are lagoon corals and are found in lower light and lower flow in contrast to mags. Perhaps locating one near the bottom of the tank will be your best option.

 

[tingleyl]

Excellent, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Thanks!

"Expert care only <- but what makes them expert only?"

I think first and foremost you want to begin with a healthy specimen. Magnificas don't seem to do so well in shipping and are often in a weakened condition by the time they arrive at the lfs. I've had a magnifica for 9 years and frankly, I would say once they are well established they can be quite hardy. In that time, mine lived under PCs for years, had nitrates spike to above 60, etc. Mind you, it was inches away from the PC bulbs (two 96-watt 10000K and 6700K quads), but it didn't move, grew and generally did fine. When the nitrates were so high, the anemone didn't look its best and wandered. So, from my experience they can survive less than ideal conditions if they're established and healthy; however, to thrive I would say they are somewhat demanding. They need high intensity lighting (MH or high quality T-5 and to be within a foot or so of the bulbs I would guess, perhaps LEDS, but I have no idea for sure), they need good water flow, they need undetectable nitrates (I think this is especially important for them to look their best), specific gravity 1.026-1.027, temp. 80-82F, a smooth, flat piece of liverock to attach. Also, to have room where the anemone isn't in contact with any other animals and does not touch the sides of the tank--a centerpiece perhaps.

I would suggest regular water changes, a quality protein skimmer, general good husbandry practices.

BTW, elegance corals are lagoon corals and are found in lower light and lower flow in contrast to mags. Perhaps locating one near the bottom of the tank will be your best option.

 

[garygb]

Most welcome. I hope you can find a nice, healthy one for your system. If you do choose to pair it with clowns, mags host a large number of species including common ones such as ocellaris, perculas, skunks, and clarkii (of course).

 

[tingleyl]

How large do Mags typically get? Live Aquaria says 10". Would that just be the base? Or is that the tentacle diameter? Are they typically that large?

 

[elegance coral]

They are one of the larger anemones. In my opinion, they are the largest of them all. Mertensii holds the record for oral disk diameter, but they're oval and flat. Magnifica is like a beach ball. Oral disk can reach three feet in the wild. I would say 12 to 14 inches is very common in captivity, with some getting much larger. 10 inches would be a little on the small side IMO. The one in the picture I posted was a good 12 inches and growing.

 

[tingleyl]

Thanks