Dutch_Mill
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Seems to be able to walk around.
What anemone is this?
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Ron Reefman
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I don't know what species it is or even a common name, but it's very good looking. I love rock flower and maxi-mini anemones and I like this one as well!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
WheatToast
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Not on anemone expert, my guess is Thalassianthus.Seems to be able to walk around.
WheatToast
2500 Club Member
I realized I never addressed the coldwater part of this question. Thalassianthus aster seems to be tropical (the link below shows the distribution ranging from the Red Sea and the East coast of Africa over to Indonesia and up to around Taiwan), but it has been reported from as far North as Japan as well, so it might be able to handle slightly lower temps too:
WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Thalassianthus aster Rüppell & Leuckart, 1828
www.marinespecies.org
Also of note when discussing this species, Saltcorner lists them as a pest species similar to Aiptasia and Majano anemones, noting that they sting everything (including people) - I’m not sure how bad the sting is though:
Section: Anemones: Group: Pest Anemones: Species: Thalassianthus aster (Fuzzy-tipped Anemone, Lace-tipped Anemone)
Marine Aquarium Library: Pest Anemones, Family Thalassianthidae, Thalassianthus asterwww.saltcorner.com
Just as a little end note here, the color for this species is much more variable than Saltcorner implies (coming in green/white, browns, reds, and - apparently- purples/pinks).
Yeah, from what I can see of the tentacles, I'm inclined to agree that this nem is likely either T. aster, or an Actinodendron sp. (A.K.A. Fire Anemones), as branching tentacles are very unique in anemones. OP, if you decide to keep it, it should become apparent as it grows which type of anemone it is (the presence or lack of the little berry-like nematospheres found on T. aster would be a pretty clear indicator when the nem is more mature).
Regardless of the species, your nem is not a reef safe nem, as both types have pretty potent stings (Fire Anemones can actually be quite dangerous to humans - I'm not sure how bad T. aster's sting is, but I know that it does have a few different kinds of toxin in its sting, so I would advise against finding out how bad it is), so I'd suggest that - if you decide to keep it - you put it in its own tank.
That said, these are very pretty anemones, and something that you may find fun if it does turn out to be T. aster - they are sometimes carried on hermit crab shells (I've seen pics of them on shells worn by the Dwarf Zebra Hermit, Calcinus laevimanus, specifically, but I'd imagine a few other species may carry them as well).
Regardless of the species, your nem is not a reef safe nem, as both types have pretty potent stings (Fire Anemones can actually be quite dangerous to humans - I'm not sure how bad T. aster's sting is, but I know that it does have a few different kinds of toxin in its sting, so I would advise against finding out how bad it is), so I'd suggest that - if you decide to keep it - you put it in its own tank.
That said, these are very pretty anemones, and something that you may find fun if it does turn out to be T. aster - they are sometimes carried on hermit crab shells (I've seen pics of them on shells worn by the Dwarf Zebra Hermit, Calcinus laevimanus, specifically, but I'd imagine a few other species may carry them as well).
OP
OP
Dutch_Mill
Community Member
When looking for 'Thalassianthus aster' I see some pictures of Anemones that look 100% identical to the ones I have. They won't go near any of my reef tanks. Just keeping them in my unwelcome hitchhikers tank for now. If they turn out to grow bigger I'll update some pictures.
Does look like a fuzzy tip (t. aster). I have 3 of them in the home for hated critters tank. Started as one a few years ago. They have a mean sting and will walk all over the place if not able to get food where they are at. Mine love mysis and small bits of meaty food.
Ron Reefman
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Steve, you have a "Hated Creatures Tank"?
I'll soon have 2 40g aio tanks. I'm thinking one may become a 'Mini Predator Tank'. I have a small mantis shrimp already in the tank that is running (the other is just getting set up). I was thinking other critters like an upside down jellyfish, small fire worm, any small carnivore crabs, long spine urchin, maybe even a dwarf lionfish. Most of these I can collect in the Florida Keys.
So what do you have in your tank? Tell me more about it. Any suggestions for me?
Maybe we can start a new thread about this subject?
I'll soon have 2 40g aio tanks. I'm thinking one may become a 'Mini Predator Tank'. I have a small mantis shrimp already in the tank that is running (the other is just getting set up). I was thinking other critters like an upside down jellyfish, small fire worm, any small carnivore crabs, long spine urchin, maybe even a dwarf lionfish. Most of these I can collect in the Florida Keys.
So what do you have in your tank? Tell me more about it. Any suggestions for me?
Maybe we can start a new thread about this subject?
Well, I have 2. One is a 2.5 gallon with some aiptasia, majanos, and a few other hated things. It sits on my desk in the office.
The main one is a 32 bio cube with GSP, Pandora plays, tons of NPS nems, some majano, some aips, the fuzzy tip nems, a domino damsel, tons of pistol shrimps, a GBTA and some things I am sure I am missing lol.
They both get treated like any other reef tank, just have things no one wants in them.
