FAQs on Anemone Identification 23

FAQs on Anemone Identification 23

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Anemone Success
Doing what it takes to keep Anemones healthy long-term

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Anemone (?) ID -- 07/28/08 Hi, <Hello Thierry.> I got a couple of these things a few months ago from my LFS. They looked interesting with the bright colored vesicles. I now realize they are pests. They are 1'' across, reproduce quite fast, attach strongly to rocks and regrow when cut. They are all over the tank, including on the branches of corals such as Caulastrea and Euphyllia, they seem to like well illuminated areas. They are quite stingy, I brushed against one of them while moving another coral and got a rash on my arm which lasted for over a month. So much for the description, here are my questions : - What are they ? My LFS couldn't tell me and I was unsuccessful Googling them. <From picture and description I believe they are a Thalassianthus species.> - How do I best get rid of them ? (I hate killing anything, but I do have to make some choices). <Careful (!) injection of boiling water, muriatic acid or sodium hydroxide solution as described at http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/aiptasia_impressions/aiptaisia_impressions.htm under 'other chemicals'. Don't kill too many at the same time and always filter with carbon and also watch the pH when using pH changing substances. There are possible predators like butterfly fishes, angels and filefishes, but they can be rather individualistic and might or might not work, some potentially also eat other desired sessile invertebrates.> Thank you in advance for your help. <A small side note: I searched them for quite a while and have them for half a year in a low light former fish tank, where they don't multiply often at all and don't show that much green color. I think they are well suited for such tanks, but maybe not so for a reef tank with stony corals and strong illumination. Possibly some fellow marine aquarists with mostly FOWLR tanks might be happy with some of yours.> Kind regards. Thierry. <Good luck with getting rid of them. Marco.>

Re: Anemone (?) ID -- 07/29/08 Hello Marco, <Hi Thierry.> Thanks a lot for replying so quickly. <You are welcome.> I'll try and find someone interested in them. That would definitely be better than just killing it. <Very good.> Maybe I'll save a couple and try and keep it under control. They are indeed interesting. <Oh yes, they are, though little is known about them. Kind regards Thierry <Cheers. Marco.>

Unidentified Anemone 7/3/08 Hi How are you today? <Fine thus far thanks> I bought some beautiful Live Rock yesterday, got it all set up in my tank. The man told me there is all kinds of good stuff growing on and in the rock. There are tons of stars and clams, upon further inspection I find a neat little thing I am guessing is an Anemone. <Appears to be so> I am enclosing a picture in hopes that maybe you can tell me. I scoured the internet for hours trying to find one that resembles it, I cannot. I hope someone there knows. Thanks a ton. Jessica <Need a "better" pic... more resolution, lighting... perhaps a "rock anemone" (Epicystis)... Bob Fenner>

Glass anemone? Aiptasia? 07/02/08 hi - just wondering if you thought this was aiptasia? <It looks like it to me.> I know the angle is tough but I could take another photo if need be... http://spial.org/photos/20080701-3.jpg So far I only have this "one" anemone in the tank that I can find. I have a peppermint shrimp in my 29 gallon tank - perhaps that one little shrimp (I got a small shrimp under the guise it might live longer than one that is big and halfway through its life) is taking care of new anemones and they never get off the ground. <The Aiptasia will thrive, I assure you! ;-)> For a 29 gallon tank would 1 shrimp suffice? <For killing the Aiptasia, I would not rely on the shrimp. Do try to kill it yourself (with Kalk paste or lemon juice or whatever works). Please see: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm> I'd rather not have the shrimp eating up my corals. <unlikely> I have 5 tiny blue legged hermit crabs and 1 red legged hermit crab. My tank is roughly 2 months old - my refugium has a very healthy crop of Chaetomorpha (tripled in size in 1 month) - there's some fine hairs of algae clinging to the back glass of the tank but mostly just single strands about an inch long. I'm hoping that the Chaetomorpha will starve out the algae over time. I have no fish and the only thing that goes into the tank is water. I have considered trying to find some Berghia but the perils of shipping these things during the hot summer months <not worth it for just a few Aiptasia> makes me think twice - but living in Boston the cold winters probably aren't so great for them either. Do you think I should pursue Berghia or just let the peppermint shrimp patrol the waters and get Berghia if I suffer an outbreak of aiptasia? <If you just have this one (or possible a couple/few) of these things, I would first try simply killing them yourself before resorting to more drastic measures.> thanks,
Jason
<De nada,
Sara M.>

A very nice pic. RMF

Help Id'ing a Carpet Anemone... using WWM 6/16/08 Hey Crew, <LB...> I was hoping you could help alleviate some concerns for me. I was given a Carpet anemone recently, but, I am not sure what kind. I am a little concerned it may be an Atlantic Carpet. My Clownfish haven't paid much attention to it yet, as it has only been a week, but I have read that the "Atlantic carpet" will eat them if they get too close (along with anything else). I have attached a picture. It isn't the best quality, but, hopefully you can get the idea. Although you can't tell by the picture, the anemone has a green "glow" to it. Thank you so much! <Uhh... is a Haddon's... Read: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm BobF>

Anemone ID please 06/15/08 Hello! <Hallo Linda!> I've been coming here as the final say for a few years now and here's one for ya! Y'all will be the final say on what type of anemone this is. I say LTA/corkscrew my friend says rock/flower. Help, Please. This is turning into an all out war. LOL.. I'm sorry, I couldn't attach it, I had to insert into the email. <Sorry to say we aren't equipped to take inserted images. Any way you can attach it? I'm afraid my answer would be very arbitrary without an image!> How do I find out if you have answered this question? <With a personal response in your email inbox!> Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! <No problem, try and send us that picture as an attachment!> Linda <Benjamin>

Re: Anemone ID without Image - 6/14/08 6/16/08 Hey Benjamin! <Linda> Thanks so much, for the VERY quick reply! <30 minutes, or the pizza is free....wait, wrong job!> I figured it out and I've attached the picture. I hope you can see it. <Loud and clear! Looks to me like you have a splendid specimen there, I would guess a Macrodactyla spp. or perhaps a Heteractis crispa or aurora- although the absence of tentacles on the oral disc is a bit flummoxing. Anemones are awfully hard to identify, and taking them to the species level is best left to experts. The term 'rock anemone' is a fair colloquialism used to describe anemones of several families, as well as those that may come with live rock or corals hidden behind. This anemone, however, is possessing a large enough column and foot that I think we can safely put it in one of the specific groups of anemones above mentioned.> Linda
<Benjamin>

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