Re: coral fluorescence - Thank you... H. crispa hlth., comp.       4/30/13
Thank you both for responding to me. I read a little bit each day on a myriad of subjects. Everyone here has an amazing amount of knowledge. One last question if I may (or two, or three... ). I have seen some amazing pictures online of Sebaes brought back from the brink. I cannot tell however if the green sheen mine has means it will be green once Zooxanthellae return.
<Usually "the sheen" is telling. Many anemones begin or re-begin brownish from white... but can/do reincorporate Zooxanthellae that are capable of adopting pigments of a few hues>
Also assuming I do well with this one, I will likely want a couple others of differing color. Some say that because it is not a clone they will fight but others just say not to mix species.
<Best not to; or to take a long time (months) approach of housing separately, mixing water between systems to acclimate them to each other>
 I would think that the chemicals given off by two corals or anemones of the same species would be the same.
<Mmm, no; not the case... each individual, as with humans, have a distinct chemical signature>
 Wouldn't they be immune then to each other's allelopathic chemicals and or stings?
 <They are not unfortunately. Some species are FAR more dominant than others. Bob Fenner>

3 SW Qs   9/26/11
Dear crew, I hate to bother you again but you are such a wonderful resource. I have 3 questions for you today. I have 3 reef tanks ,100,80 and 60 gallon tanks. I recently purchased a small Domino damsel.
<Mean little beggars with growth/size>
It has made a home in the 2 large Frogspawns and Red Rose anemone. How is this possible?
<Mmm, naturally... is often a Cnidarian symbiote as juveniles... like its kin the Clownfishes>
Number 2 I have a large Leather coral about 16 inches across. The Blue tip Sebae Anemone has made a home right in the middle of it. Is this a normal symbiotic relationship?
<No; an accident. A good idea to urge its moving... else, there is bound to be too much terpenoid production from the Sarcophyton; toxic to your other livestock>
And number 3 I purchased 3 Duncan or Whisker corals.
The heads have split into 5 , 4 and 6 heads respectively. Are these separate animals or a community organism
<Separate... can be broken off/live independently, need to be fed individually>
Thanks again for all your
advice in the past.
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

White Sebae anemone...Argghhh Hi Bob <Anthony Calfo here digging hard and fast into a bag of Chex mix like there is gold at the bottom!> I am new to this site and was looking for some information on sebae anemones and True Percula Clownfish. I was a little disturbed when I read a few articles on your site. <as you should be> I had looked for information on some other sites which said that the Sebae anemone was pretty hardy and was a good match for my Percula clown. <inaccurate on both counts in my opinion too> Yet on your site I get the impression that the opposite is true. I am confused now. I just bought a Sebae today and put it in the tank. It seems to have embedded itself into the sand and is in a corner in my tank. <the problem with sebae anemones is largely shipping induced (bleached/ stressed animals). If you anemone is yellow or white... there is a very good chance that it will not live to see two months let alone six months or older. Turning a darker/dirty brown color would be a GOOD sign of recovery. They should be richly brown with dark purple tips for most> My Percula seems to be staying away from it for now. When I first bought my Percula he was living in a white Sebae anemone.  <Somewhat unusual...not a typical host anemone for this picky clown species. A white sebae will die in months regardless from attrition (expelled zooxanthellae no longer providing carbon)> That was about a month ago. Does it take them time to 'find' the anemone? <case by case> How long does it take for my Clown to accept the anemone, usually? Are there times when the Clown will not accept the anemone, if there are what are the usual reasons why they won't? <see above> I read that the Sebae anemone was pretty hardy. A number of other sites say they are, is this true? <don't believe everything you read <smile>... I'm not selling sebae's, clownfish or any livestock for that matter <wink>> Thanks for your help! I really enjoy your site, it is very helpful. Kathy <very best of luck to you, kindly... Anthony>

White Sebae anemone Follow-up Hi Anthony, <Greetings Kathy> Thanks for your reply. Looks like my anemone is not doing too well as you predicted.  <I am truly sorry> It is still white, my clown loves it now though, too bad because the anemone had a light brown ball of something in the middle of it this morning. That's a bad sign right?  <hmmm? gaping mouth or regurgent...either way not great> Is there anything I can do to help? I called a fish store and they said that if it does not improve by tomorrow to take it out before it goes to mush in the tank. <keep a close eye on it, but if you are sure it is dead or near death please remove it promptly... it is a dreadful mess and dangerous to water quality> The annoying thing is that I have only had this anemone for four days!! <quite frankly, you got snookered> What is the best anemone to get for a True Percula clownfish? <a very picky clownfish...likes difficult anemone species that require screaming high reef tank lights (intense halides). A Ritteri anemone is often accepted... but they are so difficult to keep that I wish most were not collected. Brown or Green Carpet anemones might work... but might not. Your clowns do not need an anemone, I'd recommend you admire them from afar. Anthony> And how do I tell when the anemone is healthy before I buy? <depends on the species... but do info gather to know what the natural healthy color is, see if it is responsive and never take one with a gaping mouth. Anthony> Thanks again. Kathy <quite welcome>

Pink Tip anemone You Guys are Killing Me <smile> Hi Guys, (Sorry I don't Know whose gonna answer!) <Anthony Calfo in your service, my friend> I've written before and was very pleased with the advice and timely response. <convincing fibbers, I suppose> So I've got another question, this time about the pink tip anemone. I've heard that they eat fish  <uncommon...just weak, dead and dying ones for the most part (aside from mandarins and seahorses)> and was just wondering if they would pose a threat to any the following fishes: Blue regal tang, powder blue tang, yellow tang, regal angel,  <good lord, dude...who suckered you into buying the regal angel?!? Please don't tell me the LFS used some bull crap line like "But, look...it's eating!" Dude...the problem with such fish in captivity is not that they don't eat (an inaccurate legend) but that they don't SURVIVE on prepared foods and die slowly of a dietary deficiency. The odds of your angel being alive one year from now are slim (unless it is a Maldivian Orange throat, seriously)> coral beauty, Percula clownfish, blue damsels, and a cleaner wrasse (I know I shouldn't have bought it but it was eating at the store and I couldn't resist!)  <aieeee! same argument as above...fire you local fish counsel...hehe> as I was given a pink tip and have now put it in to my tank. Your knowledge is appreciated. <and your patience with my sense of humor is ever more appreciated, my friend. Don't worry about the anemone...it is the least of your problems. Also, never feed it anything larger than 1/4" meats...just because it stings a large chunk doesn't mean it is healthy or natural> <kindly, Anthony>