The simple but colorful Gulf anemones

[tektite]

Collected a few anemones in Galveston TX. Its fascinating the range of colors in these guys! I'm curious how their colors will change in captivity vs. when I first collected them.














I collected a bunch as I wasn't able to see their colors when collecting, I'll keep a few of the nicer ones and return the others to where I collected them. Note - these have been kept in a completely isolated system with Galveston-only inhabitants, should I have put any of them in my mixed reef systems I would never return them to the wild.

 

[barry_keith]

I've had a couple for a while now. There's colors still look nice.

 

[bradleym]

Those are pretty awesome. Keep us posted as I am curious about the color shift also. I could really go for a couple of those in my tank.

 

[shifty51008]

very nice. arn't those more of a colder water anemone?

 

[tektite]

very nice. arn't those more of a colder water anemone?

Depends on the time of year The water I collected them in was 88, winter temps can dip into the 60's.

 

[cichlidconvert]

They are temperate anemones and like temps in the 50's-60's. They will not thrive in long term high temps. The colors shift depending on available light and will homogenize abit once in the same tank. They are mildly photosynthetic and require meaty snacks to supplement. They like to walk around throwing barbs at completing nems. They form tribes of clones and wage war with nearby tribes. They like to move around a bit though

 

[tektite]

What do you consider long term high temps? They do great here in Galveston, and only 4 months of the year are sea temps under 70 degrees. 4-5 months of the year the temps are above 80, 2 months of the year reach almost 90.

Assuming clones would have the same coloration, clusters are not what I have observed. The anemones are mixed as far as coloration.

 

[cichlidconvert]

I will drop the thriving part. These nems are some of the most adaptable out there. They are found in tide pools that reach the 80's here also and they can spend a good deal of time out of the water. So for them to adapt to higher temps does not surprise me. What I meant about homogenized color (and I hope I'm wrong is that mine come in different colorations. Not as differing as yours though. Mine all kind of met in the middle but retained their individual differences. I will be watching to see if your really unique colored ones do the same. My real warning is their tendency to roam around and throw barbs at other nems. Temperate nems should do fine but may get ****y. I just worry about delicate clown hosting nems. When their white nubby tents under their tentacles show it means someone is getting harponed. I love seeing this thread by the way!

 

[AquaticEngineer]

Anyone ever get a species ID on these anemones coming out of the gulf other than "Gulf Anemone" ?

Heres a link to the sea temps in Galveston:
http://www.seatemperature.org/north-america/united-states/galveston-october.htm

Looks like it does dip as historically low as 52.5F in January which is the lowest temp recorded. The average temp for January is 56.5F

On the other side of that coin though is the historic high temp in August of 89.3F with an average of 87.1F

So they have a potential thresh hold temperature range of 52F - 89F...............thats a 37 degree difference...........holy hell. You could them just about anything from coldwater to tropical.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Those are really pretty!

 

[tektite]

Anyone ever get a species ID on these anemones coming out of the gulf other than "Gulf Anemone" ?

Closest I've come is Anthopleura sp., what one exactly I don't know a hobbyist could determine.

 

[reelfishy]

Sick! How big do these guys get?

 

[tektite]

Not really big, typically about 2.5" across when opened up.

 

[reelfishy]

Nice, I like the blue and pinkish red one in the first pic. I once saw an Anemone @ a local beach, I wanted to harvest it but I wasn't sure if it was legal.

 

[blackthunda77]

Cool! Any pics of them under actinics?

 

[tektite]

Nope, sorry

 

[blackthunda77]

Nope, sorry

Well get too it! LOL

I wonder if there are anything like that down in my part of the gulf, in the naples, FL area....

 

[Bratyboy2]

Any updates?