Should i buy this gigantea?

aklee987

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Store wants $150
 
It's more of a blue than a purple, picture just showed up this way. They've had it 3-4 weeks, I've never seen it deflate. It is bleached more than the picture shows.
 
Do you have any prior experience with S. Gigantea? Do you have a treatment tank ready with antibiotics specifically septra ds as Gigantea seem to usually respond better to it? Just because an anemone has been at the store for 2 weeks it doesn't mean it can't still be infecfed.

If yes to both I'd say go for it, if no to either I'd pass.
 
I do not currently have a hospital tank setup, but I have everything ready and can get it set up in under 20 minutes.

Similar situation with septra, I can get it in an hour if needed
 
I do not currently have a hospital tank setup, but I have everything ready and can get it set up in under 20 minutes.

Similar situation with septra, I can get it in an hour if needed

I'd say you're fine, but I'd go ahead and have the meds on hand if you're going to grab it. Better to be prepared then to wait, Murphys Law etc etc.
 
If I had the room and the time, I would. Bringing a gig back from bleaching is very do-able. For me, I've come across more purples over the years, blue not so much (could just me my area). See if you can buy(or included)what ever it's attached to so you don't have to peel the foot off. Try to observe the light placement/distance/type, and flow too, to try to mimic it for the first couple days before you start the slow ramp up of both.

Bag it underwater, and try to transfer it with out pulling it out, or causing it to deflate. Best of luck!
 
See if it eats. Take a small piece of raw shrimp with you to the lfs

Do you not think that could add stress to the move if he does end up buying the Gig that day? I personally don't know if I would do that or not but then again I will buy them and just treat if necessary without thinking about it so I don't go through that type of protocol :).
 
Do you not think that could add stress to the move if he does end up buying the Gig that day? I personally don't know if I would do that or not but then again I will buy them and just treat if necessary without thinking about it so I don't go through that type of protocol :).

No I don't.
 
I would not feed it. Not for the next couple weeks after I brought it home either. Just what I would do (or NOT do) if I bought it.
 
So just let it starve? Most of these suspected dyed anenomes have had challenges to their zooxanthella or they have not had proper light for awhile
My partner raises these.. We feed right from the start when he receives them
 
I'm not saying let them starve. I would not give them food until they are acclimated, and inflated all the time. NOT feeding an anemone that's bordering on dying, will not speed up the dying process. FEEDING an anemone that's bordering on dying, may speed it up or it may help it. I've gone through my own fair share and watched as well. Some will take food right away, and have no problems. Others melt faster. Not worth the risk to me, not feeding will not kill them, zoo or no zoo. There does come a time, when they need food I agree. Fresh from transit is not it, IMO.
 
I understanding what your saying and appreciate your expertise with them
However I hate to see a reefer pay 150 bucks and watch the anemone waste away.
If they take the food eagerly or have a response it is "one" way of telling if the specimen is healthy or not.
Beats seeing if it grabs onto your finger or not lol
 
I understanding what your saying and appreciate your expertise with them
However I hate to see a reefer pay 150 bucks and watch the anemone waste away.
If they take the food eagerly or have a response it is "one" way of telling if the specimen is healthy or not.
Beats seeing if it grabs onto your finger or not lol

Feeding a gig at the store is not a good idea.

Gigs are known to partially invert during shipment. I've had one completely open its mouth during a 30 minute drive home. Had it eaten it would've expelled the partially digested food into the bag.

Unfortunately, feeding a gig is not indicative of overall health. Unlike other anemones that will refuse food, gigantea will eat, but have been known to develop bacterial infections down the road -- which can take up to a month to show symptoms. I've had gigs that had voracious appetites yet still died even with antibiotic treatment. Feeding also requires the nem to use energy which it could otherwise use for acclimation purposes.

I actually prefer the "stickiness" method as it shows that the gig can still fire its nematocysts without it actually eating.

In terms of price, $150 is typically what I pay for gigs in my area. I've gotten a purple for as little as $100. Given the rarity, for $150 I would give it a shot, but then again I'm crazy like Orion, and I buy every gig I see regardless of condition (I used to think I could save all of them!).

To summarize, if you want a gig and the price is right for you, go for it but expect to treat it, and be happy if you don't have to. Just observe it while at the LFS and if it's acting normally, buy it. Its chances of survival are the same whether you feed it or not, and to me, feeding it has more risks than benefits.
 
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