Malu/crispa ID + safe with shrimp/small fish??

[yanni]

Hey all,

Post is as titled. Got sent these pics of nems, wanna make sure they’re definitely malu nems as I’m a little unfamiliar. Im looking at getting the one at the very top of the picture

Also wondering, in a nano tank (Waterbox 20), are these nems aggressive? I understand all nems carry a risk, but I don’t want a higher than average risk (as seen with mini maxis and carpets). I have a redline shrimp, as well as my clowns and a bicolour blenny I’d hate to lose, especially the redline as he cost a fair bit

I guess I’m mainly wondering will my livestock be safe with a malu nem, or not haha

I have BTAs, so preferably something more Reef safe like bubble tips

 

[bradleym]

The tentacles definitely look like Malu, but the striped mouth area looks like Aurora. And do I see the edge of a red/orange base on one? Also usually an Aurora trait. Interesting nems, I'm curious to see what others say.

 

[yanni]

The tentacles definitely look like Malu, but the striped mouth area looks like Aurora. And do I see the edge of a red/orange base on one? Also usually an Aurora trait. Interesting nems, I'm curious to see what others say.

Yeah I’m a lil confused. If it is malu, are they reef safe? Is it likely to eat any redlines?

 

[yanni]

Any other ideas whether it’s malu or crispa and reef safe?

 

[D-Nak]

It's really hard to tell from the photo. Could be BTA, too.

It depends a lot on what you consider is reef-safe. If it means not eating fish, then technically no anemone is reef safe.

 

[OrionN]

These anemones, Malu and Crispa, normally do not eat fish. They really don't have the sting potent enough for them to capture a fish, but fish in confinement and sick fish are fair game. I never lost any fish to my Crispa and Malu.
They can move around and sting corals and get sting by coral and injure themselves. They can move into PH and Overflow and cause overflow.
If you are not confident in your ability to keep a stable tank, and your ability to give host anemone what they need, then I would advise against keeping an anemone.
Unlike corals, anemone are huge animals (in comparison to corals) AND they move around when they are not happy. These movements can cause a lot of problem for the tank, killing corals or killing themselves when they walk into various piece of equipment in the tank.

 

[yanni]

These anemones, Malu and Crispa, normally do not eat fish. They really don't have the sting potent enough for them to capture a fish, but fish in confinement and sick fish are fair game. I never lost any fish to my Crispa and Malu.
They can move around and sting corals and get sting by coral and injure themselves. They can move into PH and Overflow and cause overflow.
If you are not confident in your ability to keep a stable tank, and your ability to give host anemone what they need, then I would advise against keeping an anemone.
Unlike corals, anemone are huge animals (in comparison to corals) AND they move around when they are not happy. These movements can cause a lot of problem for the tank, killing corals or killing themselves when they walk into various piece of equipment in the tank.

It probably won’t be a purchase for now, I’d like my rank to mature another few months. I’ve just done a rescape with a nice open area, lifting corals off the sandbed. I’m more curious whether it had the potential to eat a shrimp as well as fish?

My tank is slowly stabilising now finally, my current BTAs are all happy, so I’m thinking adding one could be doable now

 

[yanni]

On second thought, I want to play it safe and decided to leave it. Thank you all for your help

 

[yanni]

These anemones, Malu and Crispa, normally do not eat fish. They really don't have the sting potent enough for them to capture a fish, but fish in confinement and sick fish are fair game. I never lost any fish to my Crispa and Malu.
They can move around and sting corals and get sting by coral and injure themselves. They can move into PH and Overflow and cause overflow.
If you are not confident in your ability to keep a stable tank, and your ability to give host anemone what they need, then I would advise against keeping an anemone.
Unlike corals, anemone are huge animals (in comparison to corals) AND they move around when they are not happy. These movements can cause a lot of problem for the tank, killing corals or killing themselves when they walk into various piece of equipment in the tank.

Hard to see under blues, but I did end up getting a malu, and it’s doing really well. Amazing colours and extension, it’s a beautiful nem. Tank has hit a stride (touch wood), but it’s amazing

 

[bradleym]

Looks like an LTA from here, but regardless, glad it's healthy.

 

[yanni]

Looks like an LTA from here, but regardless, glad it's healthy.

What makes you say that?

 

[bradleym]

What makes you say that?

The tentacles are fewer than there should be, and they are longer and thicker than on a normal Malu. Also, the striping on the oral disc is not usually so pronounced on a Malu, if it exists at all.

 

[yanni]

The tentacles are fewer than there should be, and they are longer and thicker than on a normal Malu. Also, the striping on the oral disc is not usually so pronounced on a Malu, if it exists at all.

It seems to resemble this more. Shorter tentacles, stripes on oral disc. It has a LOT of spots on its foot closer to where the oral disc begins, and a bright red foot if that changes anything

But from my research, and the guy who wild collected it, seems to be a malu I think

 

[bradleym]

It seems to resemble this more. Shorter tentacles, stripes on oral disc. It has a LOT of spots on its foot closer to where the oral disc begins, and a bright red foot if that changes anything

But from my research, and the guy who wild collected it, seems to be a malu I think

It definitely could be a Malu, I'm not saying it isn't. I'm just saying that, from these photos, it looks more like a LTA. Everything you mentioned could apply to either species (white dots, red foot). But in your picture showed here the other person's anemone appears to have more tentacles than yours, and they seem to be much shorter.

 

[yanni]

It definitely could be a Malu, I'm not saying it isn't. I'm just saying that, from these photos, it looks more like a LTA. Everything you mentioned could apply to either species (white dots, red foot). But in your picture showed here the other person's anemone appears to have more tentacles than yours, and they seem to be much shorter.

Ah okay yeah I definitely understand what you’re saying.

Is there any definitive way to know/find out?

If it matters, it’s a Western Australia collected nem

 

[bradleym]

Meh, I'd say wait a bit. If the tentacles get longer then it's LTA. If the tentacles get more in number, then Malu.

Also, I'm not the best expert around for Malu ID's so maybe another hobbyist can take a look for you.

 

[yanni]

Meh, I'd say wait a bit. If the tentacles get longer then it's LTA. If the tentacles get more in number, then Malu.

Also, I'm not the best expert around for Malu ID's so maybe another hobbyist can take a look for you.

I’ll just keep waiting! Either way, absolutely beautiful nem and I love it’s colours. Thanks again man!!

It’s currently tucked up behind my rockwork , in a hard to see spot. Is there any way I can move it without digging it up? Like shading it so it walks?

 

[bradleym]

I’ll just keep waiting! Either way, absolutely beautiful nem and I love it’s colours. Thanks again man!!

It’s currently tucked up behind my rockwork , in a hard to see spot. Is there any way I can move it without digging it up? Like shading it so it walks?

I've heard great things about this idea:

Thread 'Safe and Easy DIY way to remove Nems' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/safe-and-easy-diy-way-to-remove-nems.861213/

 

[yanni]

I've heard great things about this idea:

Thread 'Safe and Easy DIY way to remove Nems' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/safe-and-easy-diy-way-to-remove-nems.861213/

Haha yup good ol nem cannon. Been tempted to try it!! Might have to now

 

[yanni]

Meh, I'd say wait a bit. If the tentacles get longer then it's LTA. If the tentacles get more in number, then Malu.

Also, I'm not the best expert around for Malu ID's so maybe another hobbyist can take a look for you.