Which Species of STICHODACTYLA

[lucky_snapper]

I have had this carpet anemone for 7 months and he is thriving.. super sticky and eats everytime I offer food. I also just acquired a Haddoni from a reefer who could not keep it any longer.. The Haddoni was stressed when I first got him but He has settled in and is eating and super sticky so I have hopes for him... Haddoni is in a separate system..

Well the whole time I had my green carpet nem I thought that he was a Haddoni but now looking at the two I am beginning to wonder.. there are some definite differences between the two my nem does not have a pronounced mouth like the Haddoni and he has a different tentacle pattern.

Here is my nem about 8-10in (mouth always looks slightly open)

and then the new Haddoni 14-16 when fully expanded (mouth is now shut tight)

So what do I have ? I don't think it looks like a giga because the tentacles are the same size as the Haddoni.

 

[bradleym]

They are both Haddonis. The tentacles being so sparse around the mouth is supposed to be a sign of bad health, but you said it has been healthy, so that can't be it. What is the lighting over the older Haddoni? And what size tank is it in?

 

[lucky_snapper]

When I got the first little green one he was under CF lighting and about half the size he is now. He has been under 250 watt Halides for the majority of the time I have had him. He has easily double in size since I got him.

 

[D-Nak]

It could only be one of two Stichodacytla, since mertensii don't have green variants (at least I've never heard of or seen photos of one). Based on location in the tank (in the sand versus up higher in the rockwork), its relative flatness (gigantea usually have a lot of folds), and short tentacle length (healthy gigs resemble shag rugs), I would say it's haddoni. Have you looked at the underside to see if the verrucae are visible?

 

[elegance coral]

It could only be one of two Stichodacytla, since mertensii don't have green variants (at least I've never heard of or seen photos of one).

If you can find a copy of Anemonefishes and Their Host Sea Anemones, by Fautin and Allen, look on page 43. There is a beautiful, very bright green, mertensii.

 

[D-Nak]

If you can find a copy of Anemonefishes and Their Host Sea Anemones, by Fautin and Allen, look on page 43. There is a beautiful, very bright green, mertensii.

UGH, I really need to get that book! Thanks for the info.

Either way, the OP's anemone is still a haddoni. :thumbsup:

 

[BonsaiNut]

mertensii don't have green variants

 

[D-Nak]

Thanks for the photo -- I've been looking around for the Fautin and Allen book since I wanted to see what it looked like. All of the mertensii I've seen are drab brown, maybe olive green, but nothing bright like that of a haddoni.

 

[BonsaiNut]

Thanks for the photo -- I've been looking around for the Fautin and Allen book since I wanted to see what it looked like. All of the mertensii I've seen are drab brown, maybe olive green, but nothing bright like that of a haddoni.

This is not the photo in the Fautin book. The photo in the book is really BRIGHT green. This photo is a dull green by comparison.

 

[Reefvette]

Mertens

Mertens

Ive seen purple, green, brown tan, olive, gold colored mertens

But ive never seen one that had a green like haddoni or gigantea get.