What Type of Anemone is this?

[MaryK117]

I bought a tank that was pretty much stocked and I have no idea what type of anemone this is. My little clown fish seem to like it though. But they also like to nestle in my hammer coral. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Heteractis aurora the "beaded anemone"

 

[MaryK117]

Thank you very much Gary, I really appreciate the help.

 

[JamesJR]

I am inclined to agree but I just thought I would ask, What color is the base? If it is red than it is definately a H. aurora.

 

[PRESTO2345]

Same here! You got a second and third.

 

[garygb]

If it is H. aurora it will have its reddish/orange base buried in sand. They aren't found attached to rocks. It does have the characteristic bulges on the tentacles of H. aurora, but then again, several species of anemone have those. The red color of the base and the substrate it choses is more indicative of the species.

 

[garygb]

This Phymanthus in the attached link is green, but sometimes they are brown. I'm thinking your anemone might be in this genus. Again, if the base is red and it is buried in the sand, then H. aurora, if not then most likely Phymanthus.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsingapore/2080203927/in/set-72157600000707020/

 

[garygb]

Two seconds later I would find a brown one:

http://flickr.com/photos/wildsingapore/894441829/

 

[traveller7]

Re: What Type of Anemone is this?

IMHO, your anemone is not H. aurora.

If it has red/purple verrucae on the column, it is one of these, which they have been calling Bornemans Anemones in these parts. They divide quite frequently, eat aggressively, get 4" across the disk, up to 6" L of the column, and the tentacles can get quite a bit longer under certain conditions:

Unfortunately, phymanthus is used so often for anemones, it is rarely correct I won't hazard a guess at the genus/species.

fwiw: there are loads of them in DC area, green oral disk, grey/brown column with red/purple spots, red purple spots on the oral disk, are all quite distinct. My picture does not show the purple highlights on the tentacles, poor white balance, coupled with poor lighting, etc.

 

[garygb]

Traveller, I think you are right. It has the same greenish disk color, not to mention beaded tentacles. So it's not phymanthus-- it does look like it would be in that genus don't you think?

 

[traveller7]

I would not bet against Phymanthus, it's just been such a catch all genus over the years, I am not sure They definitely share traits with some of the classics. Still not sure I read this right, Epicystis crucifer was rolled back into Phymanthus, but what the hey:
http://hercules.kgs.ku.edu/hexacora...species=crucifer&subspecies=&synseniorid=4089

The specimen Mary posted is a dead ringer for this local "Borneman" variety and I am quite sure it is not Heteractis. Have tried to confirm Genus/Species of these things for quite a few years to no avail. Rumor had it when I got them, they were "unidentified"....whatever that means.

 

[garygb]

Whatever genus, they are kinda cool looking. I see your percs there, do they inhabit the anemones at all?

 

[traveller7]

They did, but those kids were not picky at all. The only other clowns that jumped in them were skunks. The rest ignored them.

The anemones are darn near bullet proof, almost to the level of pest if you are not cautious and paying attention.

 

[garygb]

Definitely interesting anemones. There are so many anemone species that are easier to care for than the host anemones, but the clown/anemone association is irresistable.