Anemone Eating Butterfly 11/21/09
Hey crew,
<Howdy>
I have a 850 gallon reef tank with 1200 pounds of Tonga live rock in it.
<Yowsa!>
It has in the last year become infested with Majano Anemone's. When I say infested I mean there is probably not a 8 inch square in the aquarium that you cannot find one of these little suckers! I have added a couple Klein's butterflies months ago but they are not up to the task of destroying these, they pick at them but much prefer pellets and other foods ( I only feed 2 times a week) I am to the point that I either let them take over the aquarium or I turn loose something that will flat out hunt down and eat every last one. I am not going to let these things take over and destroy my 25,000 dollar "reef" tank. I can remove most of my corals to a different system until they are gone. SO my questions are, what kind of butterfly is (a) hardy (b) will "most likely" eat/prefer these little anemones over something else? I have to do something..I hate looking at my corals getting stung by these things, I spend probably 10 hours a week trying to keep them "under control"...help!
<The problem that could arise here is that a butterfly that would eat the Majanos would likely
eat your coral. I suggest reading here and linked files in the header.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemoniafaqs.htm
James (Salty Dog)>

Re Anemone Eating Butterfly 11/21/09
Thanks for the speedy reply James,
<You're welcome.>
I understand the butterflies will eat my
coral, I will remove the coral that I can and the rest will have to stay.
I have read the FAQ many times trying to remedy this problem this has been becoming much larger than can be resolved by "normal" means. I at this point have no choice but to introduce an non reef safe butterfly, The question is what one will be the most aggressive anemone eater?
<Some folks have had luck with Raccoon Butterflies, and some not. Will depend on the eating personality of the fish. Another fish some had have good luck with is the Bi-Color Angelfish. I believe it was Eric Borneman who stated that the A. majano is a staple in their diet in the wild.
There are folks who claim the Copperband and Saddleback Butterfly Fish consume Majanos, then
again, some not. As before, all depends on the fishes eating habits/personality. Another method is to inject them with Kalkwasser, but this could take a considerable amount of time, patience, and liquor.>
Thanks again!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>

Majano Anemone ID 1/21/09 Hello, <Hi Jack, geez, don't say that in an airport.> Attached is a photo of a polyp that came on live rock I purchased. There are others that are identical elsewhere on the same rock but are not in a spot easily photographed. In the last 3 months all have grown from about an eighth of an inch to roughly the size of a nickel. All appear to be flat against the rock, but perhaps a stem structure hidden within a crevasse. Is this the dreaded Majano Anemone? <I'm about 90% sure that it is the pest anemone.> Thank you in advance for your assistance. <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> Jack

Anemonia?  1/14/09 Bob, Thanks for all your work to help reefs around the world (both in nature and in our homes) thrive. I have two anemone that I believe to be majano. A picture is attached and I was hoping that you might verify my suspicion. <Might be this Anemone... but due to the lack of tentacles nearer the mouth, arrangement on the periphery of the crown... these could be Zoanthids...> They are on a clam away from everything else in my tank. If they are Majano sp. I have a few questions. First, do they simply divide by fission in the tank and therefore will only reproduce in the area that they are in and spread from there or can they find there way across the tank without my noticing some how? <Both these groups of stinging-celled life principally spread through asexual fission... pedal laceration and such... about the area where they're located... though in the wild, sexual reproduction, very wide spreading does occur> Can they kill the Maxima clam that they are on now? <Either could be a negative influence, yes> Should I remove them and place them in my trigger tank? <Yes I would... and carefully... outside the main system... with a sharp implement... scrubbing the remaining area with an old toothbrush... rinsing the clam a few times in new water... carefully disposing of the "cut process" water... Do wear gloves and eye protection> Should I be upset at my LFS who told me that the one that was there when I bought the clam was a small flower anemone? <Mmm, is a/nother common name for this (A. cf. majano) and other life...> (I realize you likely will not advocate harboring enmity toward others but I thought I would ask anyway). Thanks for all your help Joe Marchetti Anchorage, AK <A pleasure to meet, share with you Joe. Bob Fenner>

Re: Anemonia?  1/14/09 Thanks Bob. Will proceed as suggested. Joe Marchetti <Ah, good Joe... I really should have, and now will urge you to read this area re some further (reinforcing) cautions concerning Zoanthid contact: http://wetwebmedia.com/zoanthidcompfaqs.htm Cheers, BobF>

Raccoon Butterfly Question, for Majano control     11/30/08
Dear WWM
<Ryan>
Common question but couldn't get quite an exact answer. I have Majanos in my tank. Have been treating them with Joes juice daily towards every single one i can see. But still after 3 weeks of doing this.... i get still a couple a day...so i was thinking would getting a Raccoon Butterfly be good?
<Mmm, maybe... do you have room...?>
I saw smaller ones at the petstore and really liked them and thought that they would help. So just wondering if this would be a good idea even with only a few coming in every day that are REALLY small (less than 1/2 cent) also relating to all this the raccoon is about 1/2 inch if not a little less.
<?! In length? Have never seen this fish, or other Chaetodont offered so small>
But i really like that as i don't want a big one cause i want to see it grow. So even at small size will it still be effective is effective at all?
<I doubt it... I even doubt it will live period>
thanks for your help
Ryan
<If interested in eradication of this anemone... I encourage you to investigate the new Red Sea product: Aiptasia-X... really works and appears to be very "reef safe". Bob Fenner>

Ricordea under a rock ledge... Maybe Majanos    2/5/08
Hi All,
I love your website! I have learned so much from it along with the book "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist".
<Hello and thanks! Bob's book is great isn't it?!>
I recently acquired a 55 gallon reef tank set up with LR and LS. It was covered with green hair algae that has now died off (amazing what decent water will do). OMG the things that are now appearing on the rocks! I have discovered 3 Ricordea under a ledge of the biggest rock and completely in shadow about 2-3 inches above the substrate. Will they move to seek the light or should I try to move them? If I need to move them, how should I go about doing it? Due to the angle, I can't get a chisel in there to get them on a chunk of rock.
Thanks so much in advance. These are very pretty bright green little guys I really want to help out.
Peg
<Peg, Ricordea don't usually just pop out on rocks. However, Majano Anemones do. Here is some FAQ's...
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/anemoniafaqs.htm
These types of anemones pack a big sting and are not very well liked by aquarist as they sting and kill corals. Google "Majano Anemone Pics" and see if they are the same ones you have. HTH, Rich...aka...Mr. Firemouth>

Majano Anemones, control 1/6/08
Hello,
<Hi Eric>
I have a 180 gallon reef tank and my population of Majano Anemones is getting out of control. I have been busy reading your site and now realize the cause of it is most likely poor skimming. (Actually a separate problem that I have been trying to fix but I didn't realize the 2 were related). Anyway my question is, if I solve the nutrient export problem, will the current population of Majanos start to die off? Or am I stuck with them unless I manually start to remove them or find something that will eat them?
<Lowering the nutrient levels is not going to kill them, for sure. One thing in your favor is that they are not quite as prolific as Aiptasia Anemones, but still pack a potent sting and a nuisance just the same. Read here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/aiptasia_impressions/aiptaisia_impressions.htm>
Thank you,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Eric

Pomacanthus employment in ridding pest anemones  2/28/07
Thanks for the help as always,
<Of course.>
I have been researching Pomacanthus imperator as a possible candidate for Anemonia majano control.
<Mmm...not my first choice.>
I read that other of the Pomacanthus species such as Pomacanthus E. navarchus and Pomacanthus E. xanthometopon also may feed on these pests.  
<They can and do at times but when there are filamentous algaes, microfauna, other sessile invertebrates....prepared foods in the tank the animal is more likely to opt for those. Like asking me or you to choose between a medium-well rib-eye or room temperature okra. It's not near the top of the list, when it comes to their diet make-up.>
What am wondering is:  Is this information correct
<To some degree but see above.>
(is it probable that these angels will eat this anemone)?
<Possible yes, likely....>
If so, which ones are most likely to do so or have you heard do so?
<Of Pomacanthus angels, Pomacanthus imperator is probably the most likely, at least this is what I was told on a chat forum a year or so ago by Steven Pro. I personally have never employed them in this manor.. Pomacanthus Angels themselves are not an animal to be taken lightly, bought at a whim. Require large and well planned systems. Often suffer from shipping, handling, poor environment, etc. .>
Any other suggestions will be great, thanks :)
<Read this: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/aiptasia_impressions/aiptaisia_impressions.htm .>
Adam
<Adam J.>

Majano anemones. . . care?   12/6/06
Well, I've seen a lot of pages on how to nuke them, but none on how to Care for them. . .
<Heeeee! Perhaps just to do "the opposite" of what is suggested for their elimination?>
I was given a small majano by a local store.  It has its own little 2 gallon tank with some macro and some live rock.
<Actually quite beautiful animals IMO as well>
  Right now I've got too much flow (I think.   The filter is rated at up to 100 gph, yet is turned down as far as it will go) on there.  So far in the week I've had her really can't see a green and PINK anemone being a guy :) ),
<Watch this... or you may be/stay a "lonely guy" w/ matching ferns>
she's been hanging out on the wall of the tank on the opposite side of the filter, soaking up the flow.
I guess for one, should I reduce the flow?  If so how?
<I'd leave this as is. Is not too much... but get a larger system, soon.>
  The filter is the smallest sort I can find, and the only other option would likely be a tiny powerhead (would take digging to find) or an airstone of some variety.  Also, do I need a heater?
<Yep>
She hasn't shown any sort of negative effect from being in cool water yet, though doesn't it supposedly take a while for them to show stress from improper conditions?
<Not long at times...>
How much light would I need?
<Enough... see WWM re Anemone Lighting: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemonelightngfaqs.htm
"and the linked files above"...>
Also, what to feed?
<See... not much>
Not exactly a nutritious diet, but it seems like the biggest thing that tiny mouth will take is a large Cyclops "micro crab" which is extremely tiny.  What else would be a good choice that is small enough that I wouldn't have most of it rotting in the tank.  Also, should I play with things  a bit to try to get a bit of a higher content of dissolved stuff an extra pellet to rot on the bottom for instance), or how often should I feed her?  Last question: is there any sort of cleaners I can have in such a small tank?
<Best to cut up something marine, meaty into very fine bits, put this in suspension, turn off the filter, and squirt this with a turkey baster into/towards the anemone... once, twice a week... Are variably photosynthetic... Bob Fenner>

Majano/Aiptasia Removal 11/8/06
Good evening (at least it is here in TX.); <Evening> My question revolves around 2 pest anemones. I am currently in the process of cycling my new 110 gal., corner overflow, that is using an old wet/dry trickle filter as a sump/live rock design of my own (no bio balls or ceramic, I just want to use live rock, DSB). My question is, I have recently spotted a Majano anemone, and a few Aiptasia anemones in one of my other tanks (thanks to WWM for helping me ID these bad boys!). I want to remove the live rocks that these "pests" are on and put them in my sump for the 110 gal. to help cycle it and act as a filter. My question is two-fold 1. Will these "pests" invade my main tank if they are in the sump? <Very possible.> and 2. Will live rock in a sump require a lot of lighting to be an efficient biological filter?  <No light needed for biological filtration, but a little might be nice for some algae.> Thanks in advance, Erick..
<Chris>
Erick Swanson