What did I see in that tank?

ShelbyLRay

New member
I visited a fish store in Fort Walton Beach, FL recently and in the front of their shop, they have a gorgeous cube reef tank setup. In the very front of this very colorful tank, there was some sort of anemone or soft coral that was being hosted by two clownfish. It was blue, grew up like a flat topped mushroom, kinda like a shelf. On top, it was nothing but .5" long feather duster-like things, hundreds of them! It was absolutely beautiful! I am trying to figure out what it was exactly because I want that for the centerpiece of my tank. I live in Kentucky so it's not like I can just drive down there to buy one at my leisure. If anyone could help me, that'd be great!
 
One of these:

Sarcophyton sp: (Not my image)

td_toadstool.jpg


Stichodactyla Gigantea: (Not my image)

100_4666.jpg



*DO UNDERSTAND*

The Gigantea carpet anemone is unfortunately the single hardest anemone to keep IMO, and often dies of bacterial infections and other diseases before you can even consider its brutally high demand for lighting and flow. On top of this, if you are successful, they can top nearly 2 feet in diameter with voracious stinging tentacles... please do your research before you buy this expensive anemone with specialized care requirements. Not saying you aren't up for it, just a heads up. Happy reefing, and welcome to RC :)
 
One of these:

Sarcophyton sp: (Not my image)

td_toadstool.jpg


Stichodactyla Gigantea: (Not my image)

100_4666.jpg



*DO UNDERSTAND*

The Gigantea carpet anemone is unfortunately the single hardest anemone to keep IMO, and often dies of bacterial infections and other diseases before you can even consider its brutally high demand for lighting and flow. On top of this, if you are successful, they can top nearly 2 feet in diameter with voracious stinging tentacles... please do your research before you buy this expensive anemone with specialized care requirements. Not saying you aren't up for it, just a heads up. Happy reefing, and welcome to RC :)


Thank you so much! These don't really look like what I saw, it was more like a table and a very vibrant aqua color. But I like these too... Not the very difficult to keep one lol
 
Thank you so much! These don't really look like what I saw, it was more like a table and a very vibrant aqua color. But I like these too... Not the very difficult to keep one lol

When people use the word "table" they typically mean tabling acropora, which is an SPS hard coral. You describe what you saw as an anemone or soft coral. Was what you saw flowing with the current? Did it appear flexible?
 
I visited a fish store in Fort Walton Beach, FL recently and in the front of their shop, they have a gorgeous cube reef tank setup. In the very front of this very colorful tank, there was some sort of anemone or soft coral that was being hosted by two clownfish. It was blue, grew up like a flat topped mushroom, kinda like a shelf. On top, it was nothing but .5" long feather duster-like things, hundreds of them! It was absolutely beautiful! I am trying to figure out what it was exactly because I want that for the centerpiece of my tank. I live in Kentucky so it's not like I can just drive down there to buy one at my leisure. If anyone could help me, that'd be great!
If you have a picture, we can help if not.....
ID from a description of someone who cannot tell if an animal is a soft coral, LPS or an anemone (a very novice reefkeeper) is impossible.
 
If you have a picture, we can help if not.....
ID from a description of someone who cannot tell if an animal is a soft coral, LPS or an anemone (a very novice reefkeeper) is impossible.

Actually, I disagree here. If the observation and description is precise enough an ID is very well possible, even if the observer had no clue of the object.
Of course a picture is usually the best way to get a positive ID.

From the initial description I would concur with the Sarcophyton/Toadstool ID, especially the feather duster "tentacles" fit.
 
Actually, I disagree here. If the observation and description is precise enough an ID is very well possible, even if the observer had no clue of the object.
Of course a picture is usually the best way to get a positive ID.

From the initial description I would concur with the Sarcophyton/Toadstool ID, especially the feather duster "tentacles" fit.
If the description is precise. That is the problem for a new reefer.

Thank you so much! These don't really look like what I saw, it was more like a table and a very vibrant aqua color. But I like these too... Not the very difficult to keep one lol
Sarcophyton/Toadstool it is not.
 
Um... great you found that buddy.... but I have to wonder...










WHERE CAN I SEE A BLUE HAIRY MUSHROOM......?
HOW DOES ONE SEE, A BLUE, GREEN HAIRY MUSHROOM?

:confused: :confused:
 
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