Anemone ID

marie · #1 09-21-2007, 09:44 PM

I've been researching anemones and after much thought decided maybe a Long tentacled anemone (Macrodactyla doreensis) would be the best for me. They like to keep their foot in the sand and aren't prone to wondering up the rock work (where my tunze stream is).

So when the local lfs had what appeared to be a partially bleached but otherwise healthy looking LTA, I brought it home. When first introduced into my tank I rested it on a rock ledge for a minute so I could clear a spot for it in the sand bed, well within 2 minutes it was firmly attached to the rock and the only way I was going to get it off was in pieces and it has sat there ever since, just burrowed a little deeper into the crevice.
It is bleached but not as bleached as it looks in the picture and the foot is orange. so could it be a Macrodactyla doreensis? or is it some thing else

Delphinus · #2 09-21-2007, 10:58 PM

It looks like M. doreensis to me. The other possibility is H. crispa though. Hard to tell from the pic. What does the underside look like?

findingnemo1 · #3 09-21-2007, 11:35 PM

That would be a H. crispa i believe. I have attached a pic of what it looks like now. The foot is orange and it has a large amount of hmmm can't remember how to spell it..we will go with bumps...lol

Feed him lots and he should be awesome looking in no time.

This was October of last year

This was yesterday

Delphinus · #4 09-22-2007, 12:02 AM

That might be a M. doreensis as well. Can you get a picture of the underside? By your description too, it sounds like it could be M. doreensis, but a picture of the underside should help cinch.

The "identifying characteristics" of each species are quite similar..

Delphinus · #5 09-22-2007, 12:03 AM

PS. The word you're looking for the bumps is "verrucae"

marie · #6 09-22-2007, 12:33 AM

Except for being firmly planted in a rock instead of down in the sand, everything I've read says M. Doreensis. I guess time and good food will tell

.

It's probably just as well its there out of the way and not out on the sand anyway. My clarkii clown is twice the size and would probably beat it to death

marie · #7 09-23-2007, 04:15 PM

My anemone went for a walk last night and ended up down on the sand. I couldn't of chosen a better spot for it...hope it stays there

Here is a better pic of it showing the true colours

Delphinus · #8 09-24-2007, 03:54 AM

The coloured tips in that last pic - that's a pretty classic H. crispa look..

Renegade · #9 09-26-2007, 09:13 AM

very nice, I really like the color. i would feed for the next couple days in his new spot might think twice about leaving if hes being fed.

marie · #10 10-01-2007, 02:22 AM

Are all anemone this contrary? It went on walk about again and settled here 5 days ago. It looks like it is quite happy and has no intention of moving again anytime soon. There are worse spots it could of chosen but it certainly isn't the best either

Oh and tony I think your right I think it is a H. crispa. there are no obvious verrucae that I can see