Sand anemone ID

[Inklinkerman]

Could anyone help me with a more specific ID on this anemone? The LFS decribed it as a sand anemone. Can anyone tell me the sp.? Its about 4-5" in diameter, diurnal, pink/brown body with contrasting green tips.

Had it about a months, seems very happy, been stable in this position for about 3 weeks, eating fine and extending well during the day.

Will common clowns use it as a host?
Any special care/things to look out for?

Thanks

 

[Inklinkerman]

Personally im thinking Heteractis malu

 

[What The?]

Personally im thinking Heteractis malu

Sebae anemone, i have the same one.

 

[Inklinkerman]

Sebae anemone, i have the same one.

H.Crispa? I'm not sure. It doesn't have very long tenticles.

Any other thoughts?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Personally im thinking Heteractis malu

Sebae anemone, i have the same one.

H.Crispa? I'm not sure. It doesn't have very long tenticles.

Any other thoughts?

That is the issue with some common names.

H. malu and H. Crispa are two different species. While Crispa is referred to as "Sebea" an H. malu is also referred to as a "Sebea"

From the pictures, it look more like an Malu, but I am not 100% sure.

 

[WDLV]

I'm on the fense between H. crispa and H. malu but leaning toward H. malu. I also have half a mind to throw "corn anemone" out there or whatever that common Carribean species is called (not talkin' 'bout condylactis.)

Clearer shots could help determine if the tentacles closer to the mouth are shorter. If so, I would lean heavily toward H. malu.

 

[Inklinkerman]

Yes, tentacles are short near the mouth, 1cm, and longer at the edge, 2-3cms. It is growing at an extraordinary rate. Nearly doubled in size within a month. So it must be happy.

Thanks for the help.

 

[WDLV]

Yes, tentacles are short near the mouth, 1cm, and longer at the edge, 2-3cms. It is growing at an extraordinary rate. Nearly doubled in size within a month. So it must be happy.

Thanks for the help.

I'm comfortable with H. malu.

 

[Inklinkerman]

Thanks

 

[madkat]

not to thread jack but is mine the H.Malu as well?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Would like to see the underside of the oral disc to be sure, but I am thinking that it is an LTA (( M. doreensis ))

 

[Inklinkerman]

Mine has a much tighter concentration on tentacles around the centre. And shorter tentacles

 

[WDLV]

+1 for M. doreensis

 

[Inklinkerman]

Will ocellaris use my h.malu? It's been a month and they are only bothered about the cleaning magnet? They are wild caught. Is it just a question of time?

 

[Toddrtrex]

I had one for a brief while (( bad silverside did it in )) and my O's had just started being hosted by it right before that.

But, I would think that over time yours would.

 

[Inklinkerman]

Thanks. No methods of tempting them in?

 

[WDLV]

Use another smaller clown that naturally hosts it (clarkii) to show them that it's safe works flawlessly and immediately. They evict the other clown and take it over for themselves. Then there is the question of what to do with the clarkii. Sump fish? Donate it to someone else? Trade to LFS?
Many people use a photo of a clown in an anemone to coax them to going in. I haven't tried this myself. There are other ways but none I would recommend due to the safety of the clowns.

 

[Inklinkerman]

I'll try the picture and take out their current home, the magnet.. Should be interesting explaining it to the wife. If this fails I shall do a deal with the lfs and try the clarkii.
Thanks

 

[WDLV]

Actually, I usually try to find a local breeder for a few reasons. They tend to be smaller that what you'll find at the LFS. As such they're less likely to put up a fight.
They are less likely to have a disease than what you'll find at the LFS.
You are likely to get a better return on your investment if you buy wholesale and sell wholesale than to have to buy retail and sell it back to them at wholesale. We're obviously not talking about a lot of $ but it's the principle.

... and yes. Your wife is sure to get a chuckle out of it if nothing else.