white carpet?

[rayn]

Someone brought in a "white carpet anemone" they say they had for for three years. It has a tinge of green on the tentacles and its foot is buried, but the mouth is open a bit. Is there such a thing as a white carpet? and is it worth a shot?

 

[syrinx]

Yes it is likely bleached. If it is three years old- likely the tank it was in had light failure or other issue that was not corrected before it bleached. There are many good stories of otherwise healthy anemones recovering from this- but you will have to decide on the mouth issue and other condition issues to assess if it is a good risk. Or provide a photo of course. But you have enough information at this point to try to negotiate a drastic price reduction.

 

[rayn]

Bleached or starting or continuing the bleach. Either way that is enough for me to pass. It is only 70 bucks, but I haven't had luck with supposed healthy carpets in the past.

 

[Toddrtrex]

IMO, $70 is a lot of money for a bleached anemone that may be going downhill (( the open mouth )), I wouldn't take that risk.

 

[rayn]

Thanks guys...pass.

 

[bayouboy]

there are true white capet anenomes. Sticohdactyla Mertensii (Merten Carpet Anenome). I have a beautiful healthy specimen that is a greenish yellow. But be careful, a bleached anenome could be confused for a true white anenome.

 

[Reefvette]

Bayou

Bayou

No mertens is completely white.

They have tentacles that are white and are very numerous.

The anemone in your signature avatar is bleached as well. the underside and top side should never been translucent or the same color.

 

[rayn]

Hey guys, I am dragging this back up as the carpet is still there. They currently have it under plain old flourescent lights and it seems to be doing well there. It has started to turn a green color on the tentacles though. The foot is definitely planted in the gravel and it reacts well to the touch. They also say it is eating silversides and krill daily. The mouth is closed, but there are the small bubbles(or guts) coming out and they move in and out a bit. Otherwise it seems tight and small. I am tempted to try it hope its mouth will close under my T5 lights.

Is there a good reason not to?

 

[garygb]

It may be a healthy anemone overall, despite being mostly bleached. If you are willing to take the chance, I say go for it.

 

[rayn]

I think it wqs bleqched when they got it and it is slowly turning around. It is looking better every time i see it though.

 

[garygb]

A haddoni is quite dark in color when not bleached at all. If it looks pale green, then it may be recovering its zooxanthellae, but still has a way to go. That doesn't mean it's not healthy, just still in the process of getting back to its ideal condition.

 

[rayn]

That is it, a haddoni. Couldnt remember that name for anything. It was white when l first saw it, but now has a green look to it. Though not the darker green associated wih haddonis.

 

[rayn]

I finally got pics of the carpet. Only issue now is it was starting to fold up when I got there, but slowly started to come back down.

I also found this one out there. About half the price and little less then half the size too

 

[BonsaiNut]

2nd one might be a mertensii. You would need to get a better photo of the column.

Regardless, both are bleached, but are not the worse I have seen. I certainly wouldn't pay $70 for either... my personal opinion.

 

[rayn]

You should have seen the big one three weeks ago, almost pure white.

The smaller one is only 35.

Both bleached l get, is there a chance under good lighting that the smaller could come back? It is still very sticky to the touch too.

 

[Willster]

T5s are a little weak to try to keep these long term. You could use them to "nurse" them back to health, and light acclimate them. MH or LEDs are a more appropriate choice for them. Is there any way you could change your lighting?

 

[Toddrtrex]

As long as the T5s have individual reflectors, they will be more then enough for an S. haddoni. One thing I would never call T5s is weak.

 

[rayn]

The smaller one l would consider putting in my reef and it runs MH. The larger l just didnt want to dedicate that much room to as the other tank it would be a solo item in there. I know they will grow, but the tank can also grow with or around the smaller one.

T5 l have is the aquaticlife but running geismann bulbs in it.

Also once it is in l would like to not have to move it if l really dont have to.

 

[Toddrtrex]

One thing to remember -- they can/will eat your fish, even healthy fish, so consider the risks when putting it a tank with other fish.

 

[davocean]

Agree, T5's are plenty, the PC's they are currently under may be a touch weak, but that might actually be kinda good since they are both recovering/building zooanthelle.
The first one appears to maybe be reaching for more light.
Bleached is not the best way to start out, but I personally would gamble on the second/smaller/cheaper one, and acclimate it to your light w/ screen if you do purchase it.