What did I buy?

[The Fat Panther]

I know this is a horrible thing to ask and I should've figured it out before I bought it, but it's too late for that now. This was just sold to me as a long tentacle carpet anemone. It's greenish and it was 50 dollars. Can anyone ID this and tell me if I got a good deal?

 

[Toddrtrex]

It is an LTA ((Macrodactyla doreensis))

 

[The Fat Panther]

Will it get much bigger than it is now?

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

They can get pretty big,my purple tip lta is now about 12'' across and still growing.You got a good looking lta.

 

[The Fat Panther]

They can get pretty big,my purple tip lta is now about 12'' across and still growing.You got a good looking lta.

When it gets to big I can cut it in half right?

 

[elegance coral]

When it gets to big I can cut it in half right?

No.

 

[The Fat Panther]

No.

Why not, I've seen other people frag their anemones before.

 

[JNicho]

I'm not terribly up to snuff on that topic, but I believe the LTA is one of the nems with not so good results in "slicing/propagation".

 

[The Fat Panther]

I'm not terribly up to snuff on that topic, but I believe the LTA is one of the nems with not so good results in "slicing/propagation".

Oh ok, well it was meant to be the centerpiece of my aquarium anyways so I think it will be ok.

 

[amore169]

How big is ur tank?

 

[velvetelvis]

Not to lecture, but you really should find out what you're buying and what it needs *before* you purchase something as delicate (and ecologically important) as an anemone. I'm glad you came here for advice though--best of luck!

 

[The Fat Panther]

How big is ur tank?

29 galons.

And to the other guy, I know, it's just that my LFS is pretty far away and I don't have a car, we usually go there once every 2 or so weeks, and I've known for a while that I wanted an anemone, so I made an impulse purchase.

I know I need to do research, your right.

 

[velvetelvis]

And to the other guy, I know, it's just that my LFS is pretty far away and I don't have a car, we usually go there once every 2 or so weeks, and I've known for a while that I wanted an anemone, so I made an impulse purchase.

I know I need to do research, your right.

(I'm a female, actually--I just like tacky Elvis memorabilia. )

That's OK, I didn't mean to make you feel bad. We've all been there. You're actually in luck, as I've heard/read that LTAs are one of the "easier" (relatively speaking) anemones to keep. Just do your research (look in books and magazines as well as forums) now. It won't be the first time one of us has acquired a pet and then had to play catch-up learning about it.

 

[JNicho]

LTA's tend to be pretty hardy (as far as nems go anyway)...what kind of lighting do you have and how long has the tank been set up...lighting and water quality will be your two main issues.

 

[The Fat Panther]

Yeah my tanks been set up for almost a year (Jan. 31st) also I have T5 actinic lighting, it's a light by NOVA

 

[nikon187]

Only actinic lighting will not be enough. How many bulbs? A minimium of 4 HOT5 with individual reflectors for each bulb or metal halide for a LTA.

 

[5Starreef]

It is a good looking LTA

 

[The Fat Panther]

I have this light http://www.amazon.com/Nova-Extreme-HO-Light-Fixture/dp/B0009YD8XI ... It should be ok, the anemone was thriving under a cheap freshwater light while it was at the LFS.

 

[JNicho]

That light will probably do the job...I do want to point out that "thriving" is a relative term with nems...they have very slow metabolisms, so thriving is really measured in years, not weeks or even months...looks like you're in good shape with lighting and a reasonably aged (and hopefully stable) tank.

 

[OrionN]

That LTA looks fairly healthy. It would like more sand, 3 inches or more. Once it does well feed it sparingly and it won't grow too fast. Regardless, it will outgrow that tank fairly quickly if it is doing well. Try to move some of the rock out of the way and add more sand.