Just MY opinion now, I'm not sure it is a good or fair idea to compare aritificial environments to the natural environment .... Perhaps this is a subjective opinion, but much of what I consider "less than perfect conditions" in nature are those which have been impacted or compromised due to human activities. The sad reality is that many species are not able to adapt to that, because too much change is happening too quickly. For "naturally occuring" factors, usually what happens is either a species is able to tolerate some variable anyhow, or, that species just doesn't happen to live then in a habitat where that variable is a significant factor. I don't know if this is a good example ... you don't see
Entacmaea quadricolor living in the waters off the BC coast because the temperature is too cold whereas you DO see
Urticina piscivora; these two species simply live in different conditions..
I've heard it said (I might be quoting Shimek now, but I may be mistaken) that anemones aren't really sophisticated physiologies ... either their needs are met, or they are stressed: they cannot adapt to conditions that are outside of their natural tolerances. My take on this is basically you need to look at substrate (sand and rock), flow conditions, lighting, feeding, suitable tankmates, water quality. It is not always easy to play with these variables during a period where the animal is unsettled.. but that's what you have to work with.
Bob, I think I understand that the point you're trying to make is that anemones are probably more tolerant of some things than we give them credit for, but I want to point out that we need to be careful with this kind of thinking. Each species has its own ranges of tolerances with respect to each significant variable. If two different tanks are within tolerances then both may be adequate homes. But stray outside of those tolerances then trouble will ensue. I know that skimming and halide use can seem to be overdone at times but it does, I think, tend to be erring on the side of caution. A minimalist setup is OK but requires more careful observation and more thoughtful planning, and requires a more thorough understanding of what variables are being played around with. Remember, each species has its own tolerances.
Entacmaea quadricolor can be found in semi-tropical waters such as off the coast of Lord Howe Island or even as far south as New South Wales (Sydney is the same latitude south, as L.A. is north .. warmer than what we have here, of course, but neither is it "tropical" by any stretch). But generally speaking, all of the hosting species are found within tropical waters where the sunlight is undoubtedly quite intense.
Just my own $0.02 ... from the self-appointed anemone police
