
|
|
FAQs on Carpet Anemone Identification
Related Articles:
Carpet Anemones, Stichodactyla spp., Use in Marine Aquariums
by Bob Fenner,
Carpet
Anemones, big, beautiful and deadly by Mike Maddox,
Bubble Tip Anemones,
Tropical Atlantic Anemones,
Anemones, Colored/Dyed Anemones, Cnidarians,
Marine Light, &
Lighting, Related FAQs:
Carpet Anemones 1, Carpet Anemones 2,
Carpet Anemone Behavior, Carpet
Anemone Compatibility, Carpet
Anemone Selection, Carpet Anemone
Systems, Carpet Anemone Feeding,
Carpet Anemone Disease, Carpet
Anemone Reproduction,
Anemones in General,
Caribbean Anemones,
Condylactis,
Aiptasia Anemones, Anemones and
Clownfishes,
Anemone Reproduction,
Anemone Lighting,
Anemone Identification,
Anemone Selection,
Anemone Behavior,
Anemone Health,
Anemone Placement, Anemone
Feeding, Heteractis
malu, | 
|
|
Carpet Anemone Identification 10/12/09
Hello wonderful people (and places and things, etc) at Wet Web Media!
<Hello Sally>
I came across a small (4-5" in diameter) Stichodactyla sp. carpet
anemone but I'm not sure which one type it is. I've been reading the
descriptions here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/carpetanemones.htm and
Carpet Anemone Identification links, books (The Conscientious Marine
Aquarist, 2nd ed.), etc, but cannot find a consistent description.
Habitat: it has its body over sand, like the gigantea or haddoni
Oral Disc: it looks bare, like the gigantea or haddoni
Column: attached to rock like the gigantea or mertensii Verrucae: not
sure what this is. a growth?
Disc Tentacle field: short, two-toned like haddoni I'm attaching 2
pictures that might be helpful!
If you're able to identify which type this is, can you describe what
gave it away?
<Based on your info and the pics, I'd vote for it being a badly bleached
gigantea.
I am basing that on the large oral cavity and no two toned banding of
tentacles, and likely not a mertensii, their tentacles are not very
sticky (re your last email).
I'm asking Bob for his input here also.><<Worthless>>
Thank you! Hugs & kisses :* :*
<Oh no, I'm getting loved up again:) James (Salty Dog)>
Truly yours,
Sally
Re Carpet Anemone Identification 10/12/09
Oh yeah, one other thing! :)
It was very sticky to touch, but I didn't feel stung by it.
<Gotcha.>
Thank you!!! ;)
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
|
soon to be dead. |
Re Carpet Anemone Identification 10/13/09
Ty ty ty ty! The picture doesn't show the brighter yellow coloring of
slightly 2 toned tentacles. Would that still call for it being a badly
bleached gigantea?
In order to care for it best, should I shield it from my 2 ocellaris clowns
that love it so much?
<At this point, it really doesn't matter what type of anemone this is, as it
will soon die. Badly bleached means on it's way out. I would suggest you
remove it from the system before you have a total wipe out.>
Thank you! ;)
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Re Carpet Anemone Identification 10/12/09
Hello Bob,
Hoping you had a nice trip to the East Coast.
Am wondering what you meant by "<<worthless>>".
<My input>
If it was directed toward the ID, I based this on information in your
article on Carpet Anemones as well as information from other noted authors.
JamesRe Carpet Anemone
Identification 10/18/09
Hello again!
<Hi Sally>
Quite frustrated with my bleached purchase, I took it back and
complained a lot until I was offered a replacement. Can you believe that
I was even told by one employee that it wasn't bleached, but naturally
lighter in color??? I had to quote you friendly fish lovers at WWM to
gain any sort of credibility! Thank you!!!
<You're welcome.>
The story goes on... and I have a new carpet anemone. It's a bit larger,
and much darker than the one I parted with. I drip acclimated it for 3-4
hours and it seems to be happy after a night (the tentacles are moving
happily and it ate a piece of a silver side fish for me!).
Can you help me identify the type of my new carpet anemone? It's sticky
like the last one, and I believe it's gripping to a piece of live rock
and hovering over the sand like the last. I can take more pictures if
needed.
<Is enough.>
Thank you all so much. James (Salty Dog) especially. I'm glad I was able
to trade it in... but was told I wouldn't be able to trade it a second
time (but I could donate it back, so please let me know if you see any
obvious things that I wouldn't notice).
<Before I go any further, I see in looking at your last few emails, you
give no description of your system as to size of tank and lighting along
with tankmates. I'd like to be sure you can
even meet the requirements for keeping a carpet anemone alive for any
length of time. Your attempts may be futile. James (Salty Dog)>
Ty ty ty!!! ;)
Sally
|
Re Carpet Anemone Identification 10/19/09
Hi again James! :)
<Hello Sally>
My system is a Clear For Life Acrylic 100 gallon Bow Front Aquarium (60"
x 18" x 24"), with a 30 gallon sump underneath, protein skimmer and
another 20 gallon refugium.
<Tank is actually a little on the small side for keeping carpet anemones
with any degree of
success, but the sump and refugium are a plus.>
My lighting system is made of T5 HO with 6 bulbs in a row along the
entire length.
<This may be borderline lighting with a 24" deep tank. Best chances for
success with tanks
24" or deeper are with metal halide lighting in the 5500-10000 Kelvin
temperature range.
Excessive use of the blue spectrum is useless from a photosynthetic
perspective and energetically wasteful.
S. haddoni and S. mertensii are more adaptable to variations in light
intensity than is S. gigantea.
Based on your photos, it appears your anemone is a Haddon's or haddoni
Carpet Anemone, the most readily available species. The Merten's or
mertensii are rarely seen in the trade with the S. gigantea not lagging
too far behind.>
I keep the tank at 77 degrees with heating and chilling,
<Temperature and parameters must be kept rock stable for these animals.
Your means of temperature control is another plus. Use of an ozonizer is
another great benefit in keeping water quality high, which these animals
also demand.>
and in it are a variety of shrimp (2 skunk cleaner, 2 peppermint, 2 fire
red),
<Very likely to become food soon.>
50+ snails variety, a few
crabs, 1 Chocolate Chip Starfish,
<Would remove the starfish also.>
2 Ocellaris clownfish, this carpet, and the only other thing on my list
is a algae blenny.
<Other fish can/will fall prey to carpet anemones.>
Thank you! I appreciate you looking out for me. Please advise! ;)
<Based on your system details, the odds of successfully keeping this
anemone long term would be low. Larger tanks increase the chances of
success to a higher level.
More research on your part, and from more than one source, should have
been done before purchasing this anemone. I'm thinking you do not
realize the difficulty in caring/providing for carpet anemones. James
(Salty Dog)>
Sally
|
 |
Re Carpet Anemone Identification 10/19/09
<Hellooooooo Sally>
Thank you for your sincere reply James! Sad news for me...
<Shouldn't be sad news, just reality.>
I've been reading up on these a lot.
<After reading, did you still feel you had the system to give yourself
an honest shot at it?>
I'd like to try, but if my odds are low at keeping this long-term (lower
than average which is 10% already),
<The odds are low for anyone, not just yourself.>
would you suggest that I try to give it back to my fish store? :-( I do
have another 46 gallon tank for the other items (shrimp, starfish) that
could potentially get eaten.
<Well Sally, being that you mentioned the LFS will not take it back, you
may want to attempt this, the choice is yours to make. You may be one of
the lucky few to succeed.
One of the problems that lead to the difficulty in keeping carpets, is
that they do not ship well. From the time they are collected and find
their way to the LFS, the anemone has gone for quite a few days without
proper lighting, food, and likely in water conditions not to it's liking
with the end results being a stressed
animal by the time it gets to the dealer's tank. It isn't that these
anemones are touchy or sensitive, most live
longer lives than us. It's the fact that most of these anemones are in
the very early stages of death before we receive them, and, it takes a
very good system with excellent water quality to attempt reversing this
process and return the anemone to a healthy state.>
Also, in case it helps-- the tank has about 3-5" of sand, and the carpet
is attached to a piece of rock, so it's raised up higher than the 24"
depth. Does that help?
<Keep in mind that T5 HO lamps can provide enough light in some cases,
it's just that metal halides are preferred.
If you decide to attempt this, you can help yourself and the anemone by
switching to 10K lamps. More of the proper light will be present for
photosynthesis. I'd like you to read this article on carpet anemones if
you haven't already. Is a good, informative article on the subject.
http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/captive_aquatics/2009/05/carpet-anemones-captive-aquatics-blog-saltwater-aquarium.html
James (Salty Dog)>
Sally
|
|
Stichodactyla ID 3/19/09
Hello Everyone,
<Hello Steve>
Thanks for your site....I have covered your facts page(s) well before many
purchases and it has made a world of difference.
<Good to hear.>
I have what I believe is a Stichodactyla Haddoni. Pet store picked it up at
a popular reef where house
<I don't know where the house is.>
in L.A. but wont specifically I.D. the anemone. Based on your sites
pictures, I am guessing.
Could you please I.D. him? In the picture he just woke up to MH, so he
might have "bed head". I'll insert the picture.
<Sure looks like a haddoni to me, how about you, Bob?>
<<Mmm, no, I'm a human... this is the Actinarian you state. RMF>>
Thanks everyone.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Steve C
|
 |
Responsible Anemone/Scallop Keeping 8/12/04 Hi there! It's been
awhile since I've had a question come up, so here I am. ;] <we've
been waiting with bells on> I recently got a deep blue carpet
anemone. I'm in love. ;] <this is an illegal relationship in most
civilized countries> It is very sticky, the foot is in perfect
condition, and it ate a chunk of food on the first day! I have it in a
tank with lots of light and very good flow. <all good> My main
question is how can you tell the difference between S. haddoni and S.
gigantea? <listen for the accent in their speech
betraying the locale of their origin/speciation.> Do S. haddoni come
in blue as well? <yep... RIT brand dyed fresh from some
charming Indo exporters> I have two rock/flower anemones that are
near the carpet (3 inches away) but not touching. Will this be a
problem? <I expect the carpet will stress or kill these
in time> Everybody seems happy at the moment. Do pink skunk clowns
take to carpet anemones? <the answer to this question, as with the
details of speciation between anemones (like the tentacle-free
distinction around the mouth of S. haddoni) and so much more is waiting
for you in our archives. We work hard to build this database... please
do make the effort to use it and help yourself. There's a
clownfish/anemone compatibility chart ta boot:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm
be sure to follow the many other links atop these pages> I feed all
of my anemones (3 flowers, RBTA, green BTA) a mixture of live plankton
and Prime Reef/Frozen Brine shrimp by Formula foods. They all seem very
happy and are growing. Is this an acceptable diet for
the carpet anemone as well? <seem weak to me... the phyto is of
dubious value for the carnivorous anemones (they feed on zooplankton
principally)... and brine shrimp is a truly hollow food (barely useful
even if gut loaded). Please do add better variety here with 4-6 other
meats of marine origin. Shredded cocktail shrimp, Mysid shrimp, Pacifica
plankton... minced krill... and fish eggs (grouper roe from the LFS or
flying fish eggs from an Asian groceria... excellent food for such
filter feeders)> Thanks for everything! Morgan Mok ps: Just as
an update for the naysayers and the "blind squirrel people", my red
flame scallop is over 1 1/2 years old in my system. ;p <Morgan...
you do understand that we are here to serve the greater good in the
hobby? I hope you are too. Encouraging the majority of aquarists to keep
inappropriate animals like flame scallops just because less than 1%
survive over one year is... well... irresponsible. Unless you can
clearly explain and document how yours lived to 18 months (still not
much of an accomplishment when many simply take longer to slowly starve
via a small daily deficit in nutrition as from brine shrimp feedings
over time... and all have a natural lifespan on a scale of magnitude
much longer!), let me ask... rather, beg (!) that you do not casually
promote the keeping of flame scallops or the like as if its a lottery,
and telling people the equiv. of "you might win too!". The truth is that
most lose... and these are living creatures lives lost... not lottery
tickets. Your fave naysayer, perhaps... Anthony :) >
Yellow vs. Green carpet anemone Hello Bob, <Steve> I
am curious, why does every authority state that this anemone should
be green. It has been yellow for Two years! Thanks Steve
<Well, you and I will state otherwise. Have seen this carpet in
quite a few colors, including yours here... in the wild and
captivity. Can even change color due to lighting, feeding, water
quality, perhaps other factors. Bob Fenner> | 
|
Carpet Anemone ID Hey Wet Web People... <Discriminating
against extraterrestrials, are we? The shame!> I bought a carpet
anemone...sadly I for once didn't look up your website and wonder if I
will regret it now. They are cheap here in Bangkok and I got suckered
in (US$8) as it looked healthy and well coloured. <Starting off with
a healthy specimen is half the battle, but PLEASE do your research
before impulse buying! Life should not be measured by the cost of
acquiring it> I am not sure what species of carpet it is. <Most
likely Stichodactyla haddoni or Stichodactyla gigantea...can you get a
picture of it, especially a pic of it's mouth?> The colouration is a
soft pinky burgundy base and the tentacles are light green. Its about 7
inch wide. Also very sticky. Is it gigantea? <See
above. Stickiness is a good sign though, make sure you feed it often>
Are all carpets fish eaters? I have seen tanks with them with fish in
the past...it's one hell of an ordeal to get LFS to take stock back here
so I am hoping not to. The tank occupants are two pipe fish -
Doryrhamphus sp.. (black snout/orange front to the body/blue back
section with a black tail with a white central patch and rim?), a
clarkii clown, and sifting goby of some variety. Other than the clown, I
am guessing they aren't the best tank mates with one of these. <Yes
they are, and expect to lose all of your fish eventually except for the
clarkii, especially the pipe fish. Do you have adequate lighting,
space, and water flow for your new anemone? They like bright light, you
will need halides or natural sunlight to keep one long term. Make sure
you keep it well fed also, with shredded\small pieces (1\4") of fresh
seafoods> Thanks for the advice <Anytime> Brett Moloney
<M. Maddox> Bangkok <Aym ah Texan> Anemones
(Carpets) Hello, Will a green and blue carpet do well together
in a 180 gal? Or will they poison each other? I was thinking about
adding a red carpet. <probably no anyway you slice it. Green carpets
are a legitimate and natural color/species. Blue, Red and Yellow carpets
are most often dyed and most are not destined to live long for the
stress of it all. If they are otherwise naturally occurring distinct
species, then you are still beat from the extra specific aggression.
Bottom line... two different anemones are not recommended together.
Besides... carpets get enormous and you would need a huge tank for two
three foot diameter carpets <wink>. Do read though the archives for
information on dyed anemones> also what else can you feed them
besides Thawed krill, shrimp silver sides? <the above foods are good
if finely shredded. Feeding large whole prey otherwise can be harmful to
an anemone in the long run. Most meaty foods of ocean origins are fine
(Pacifica plankton, Mysid shrimp, fish roe, etc). Thanks, Scott
<best regards, Anthony> Anemone Husbandry... Hey Guys,
<Scott F. your guy today..> I just bought a new carpet anemone (don't
really know what kind, it has bright green, stubby tips) <Might be
Stichodactyla mertensii...can be a tough one to keep, since it requires
a lot of light and food... Also, you could be looking at S. haddoni,
which has shorter, blunt tentacles. It gets quite large, but is
otherwise about average in care requirements as carpet anemones
go...Meaning- it is touchy...> and went to get new lights for it. I
bought Aqualight 20" quad strip with 96 watts (do you think that is
enough) and I was wondering if I should feed him live food or just let
him photosynthesize? <Well, in regards to the light- I think that you
might need to move the animal high up on your rockwork to get adequate
light. You may want to keep a close eye on the animal's behavior to see
if the lighting is enough (on the surface, it sounds like it's
not...You'll have to feed often, almost daily, in order to keep the
animal in good shape)...And, again- light...lots of light- and current!>
If I should feed him, what should I feed him? <Various forms of
plankton tend to be natural foods.> Also, one more question, do you
think black percula clowns will be more prone to live in the carpet than
orange perculas. <Hard to say...Many perculas are tank raised, and
have never seen an anemone...It is often disappointing for hobbyists to
find that their clowns don't go into the anemone...Here's to hoping!>
Thanks a lot guys. <My pleasure...really learn all that you can about
the species that you have an it's husbandry...Anemones are simply not
easy animals to keep, and require a high level of care...Good luck!
Regards, Scott F> Stichodactyla tapetum - mini-carpet anemones
7/20/03 Thanks for the quick response. Something I had forgotten
about, (due in part because I never see that part of the rock) is that
on a zoo rock I bought back in May, is one of the . smallest species
of carpet anemones - Stichodactyla tapetum. I have been in contact
with the fellow I bought the rock from, and he confirms that the
un-identified critters I wrote you about are indeed the small
anemones. thanks for your help, and any advice you might have on
keeping these happy would be appreciated. Neil <the mini-carpet
anemones you have do not present any unusual challenges in husbandry.
Treat as you would other anemones and corallimorphs... feeding fine
foods several times weekly. A fishless refugium to produce plankton for
them and others in the tank will be even better. They lean towards the
hardy end of the spectrum relative to other cnidarians at large. Best
regards, Anthony>
Carpet anemone questions 10/18/03 After reviewing your site
can you confirm the following: 1) The specimen in the attached
photo is a S. mertensii. <<Looks like a S. haddoni to RMF>>
<cannot say with certainty from most any photo. But on gross
characteristics, I'm inclined to wonder if this isn't S. gigantea
which has dense short tentacles of equal size whereas S. mertensii
has colored verrucae (peach/pink) and longer tentacles approaching
the mouth> 2) Your usual recommended feeding regimen of a wash
of Mysis shrimp or other 1/4" food applies to this anemone as
well. Not too frequently. <yes... a must with all anemones to be
safe. There are few if any large chunks of meat/fish falling through
the water column untouched on a reef <G>. Many eyes watching and
waiting to consume such matter. Anemones instead feed on fine
zooplankton (like most carnivorous cnidarians) at night> 3) I
bought this carpet unaware of the numerous posts of it eating tangs
and other fish. <yes... does occur because of the unnatural and
crowded confines of aquaria. Far less so in the wild> I am
willing to assume some risk and leave it as is in my 200 g tank with
5 fish, but I might change my mind if it's a virtual certainty that
at some point it will eat my purple tang. Can you roughly ballpark
the percentages? <nope> Is it 50/50 that my fish will
survive or are the odds against me 95/5? <hard to say... truly
pot luck. I never recommend anemones for mixed community tanks. I
believe they should always be kept in a species or biotope display,
else somebody's life (anemone and/or fishes') will be shortened.>
As always, thanks for your help. <my strong advice is to house
the anemone in a proper species tank. Perhaps a nice 60-90 gallon
drilled and plumbed inline with your 200 gallon to spare you the
expense of another filtration system. If your anemone is
mertensii... it is a rock dweller... and if it is S. gigantea, then
it is a sand/lagoon denizen (soft substrates). Best of luck.
Anthony> | 
|
|
|