Anemones - Please share what you have.....
 

I've searched the "Pictures" section and couldn't find a "Show Off" thread so I thought I'd start one. Don't be shy. Anemones DO NOT have to be "ultra", expensive, or uber rare (but it doesn't hurt lol ;) jk). We keep them because we enjoy their beauty and some have sentimental value. I have a soft spot for anemones and have enjoyed collecting, nurturing, and the occasional (feeble) attempts at "rescuing" some that were in rough shape.

I'll add more pics from my display and sump as time allows. In the meantime.....enjoy. Pictures below have NOT been altered or 'Photo Shopped'. I've tried to provide pictures under different lighting conditions to provide an overall perspective. Some were taken with a camera phone. Cheers.

One of my favourites: Stichodactyla haddoni - Red Carpet (arguably a "Rainbow Carpet" - I'll let the viewer decide)

This is how it looked at the lfs under T5s:

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps05e46509.jpg

Acclimating in my Sump under LEDs:

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9c79b64c.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdd7005ba.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps743cb604.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...psafa9523c.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfaf7c1b9.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5be61325.jpg

For some reason I can't link photos without them being giant, so here's a link! Been kicking myself ever since I sold this beauty! (not a great photographer sorry!)

http://m.imgur.com/VxTqphG

Gorgeous Carpet!!!

(Following are all thumbnails so you can click for a larger view)
Current, Purple LTA
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps2f5ceb8d.jpghttp://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...psc0bdc9cc.jpg
Current, Maxi Mini Carpets
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...th_file-52.jpghttp://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...h_DSC_0011.jpg
Current, Mini Mini Carpet
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...th_file-54.jpg

Past, LTA
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps4e55e210.jpg
Past, LTA
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...DSC_0024-4.jpg
Past, LTA (really miss this beauty)
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...h_DSC_0067.jpg
Past, Blue Gigantea Carpet
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...h_DSC_0073.jpg
Past, Maxi Mini Carpets
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...DSC_0029-1.jpghttp://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...th_file-45.jpghttp://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t.../th_file-5.jpg

S. Tapetum Red Mini Carpet.....
 

Thanks. I'm LOVING this thread already....let the momentum continue and snowball.

Re: your current Red Mini Carpet. If it is an Stichodactyla Tapetum (S. Tapetum)....it may split on you in time :) . I started out with 4 on a piece of rock and those original 4 have split into about 12 (I've lost count) in my display.

I'm uncertain of the rules and regulations of posting links on this forum; but here is a link for reference (my post on another site):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2232456

Mods; please feel free to delete the link if necessary. No hard feelings if this is the case. Thanks and apologies in advance.

I'm guessing at it being a mini mini, I bought it probably a year ago or longer and has not split or grown yet. I also have a small yellow one that has not grown and it's about the size of a pencil eraser. Yours looks just like mine. I'll definitely have to read through your thread.

Maxi-Mini?.....
 

If your anemone is considered a 'Maxi-Mini' - it most likely is an S. Tapetum. I'm not an expert; I have no idea why mine has split in the manner and frequency it has. They have been known to split though :) Keep your eyes on it.

That yellow one you mentioned....must look cool too. Post a picture if and when it's convenient.

If I can manage a pic I will but it's so darn tiny (might be even smaller than I said) and has itself in an awkward spot. I'm surprised I haven't lost sight of it in my 100g.

Wow, gorgeous nems :smile:

I tried to get a similar thread going last year, but it didn't go very far

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...highlight=nems

Nice. Sorry I missed that thread. Great pics!

Wow that is really nice congrats on having that beautiful one

Blue/Purple Carpet.....
 

I was uncertain if it was a Stichodactyla mertensii or Stichodactyla haddoni at first. After some research and inquiry; it was concluded that it is a haddoni. The unique coloration and shape/pattern of its shorter/stubbier tentacles is what initially attracted me to it. Enjoy.....

Here's what it looked like at the LFS attached to the side of the aquarium:

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6f41ef52.jpg

Here's what it looked like in the bag after collection from the aquarium. Notice the stark difference in colouration and unique tentacle pattern. Also; no visible (tiny) oral disc which is another anomaly.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps712ffcc0.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9997dc43.jpg

Pictures of it being acclimated in my sump:

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps71357731.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1f6bee56.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps791c760b.jpg

Pictures of it in my display (it had taken up a home in an empty clam shell):

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7a6f3158.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...pseafeebda.jpg

Stunning colours!! Did you get rid of your other carpets to make room for these 2??

How does the purple one eat?

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/...psf9e954f9.jpg

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/...psce57f69d.jpg

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3bb50d8e.jpg

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/...ps68bffa2a.jpg

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/...ps130df9d3.jpg

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/...psebcde4fa.jpg

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0172141c.jpg

http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/...e/JTD_1228.jpg

I still have a nice collection of carpets and BTAs. ;) I have a HUGE Red Carpet that I will post later down the road. You've probably already seen pics of it elsewhere. lol If you take a look at the upper left hand corner at the first display pic....you'll see another purple carpet and a pastel green carpet in the mix :)

The purple one eats and readily takes whatever I feed it. Very sticky.

Uniboob - Sweet shots. Very nice. :)

Thanks. These are the only photos I could find right now, have a few more bubbletip varieties.

Where do you get your carpet anemones in Ontario?

There isn't a favourite or favoured lfs that I source my carpets from. I've purchased from pretty much all of them at one point in time. I've been fortunate enough to have a good relationship with most of the lfs and they've been very kind to keep an eye out for ones I'm looking for; for myself and for my friends. :) They've also allowed me to try and save/rescue the odd rough looking one as well.

I've said before - we're very fortunate in the Great Toronto Area (GTA) to have so many competitive and quality lfs. Throughout my travels; I haven't seen a more competitive retail environment than the GTA.

P.S. - Malus are very nice and not often seen. Nice to see you have one in your collection. :)

Huge Red Carpet.....
 

Final Batch (for a while ;) ) of anemone pics.....

Currently being housed in my refugium (90 Gallon Tank) is one of the largest Red Carpet Haddoni's that I have seen in captivity as a hobbyist. I know of only one other member that has one as big (if not bigger and nicer ;) ). The span of this anemone is easily a minimum of 24" in diameter. I am currently working on a new display tank and display refugium (forever ongoing) to properly display and house this wonderful specimen :) . Yeah....I have a soft spot for anemones. Enjoy.....

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1d9113bf.jpg

You'll note some of the various "Flame" Bubble Tip Anemones in the upper right hand corner ;) :

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps04d98bf5.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1eb0d65f.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3ef85de6.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps38e0022d.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8baed32a.jpg

These are pics after it has snacked on a tiger shrimp that I fed it. You'll note that I've been experimenting with different clown fish as well. The Picasso Clarkii in the above pics was just way too aggressive and possessive of its surroundings - so he was sent off to another hobbyist and these were introduced. :

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse27b95c9.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps62e8de44.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps91ecd8b5.jpg

My RFAs:

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=88986

http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps7cad1972.jpg

Red your new nickname should be Aladdin because you have so many "super fly" carpets:-)

~Tony

Oh no you didn't....

I have massive anemone jealousy now!!!! So many beauty specimens, Id like one of each!

Giant Red Carpet now has a new home with a private collector in Ottawa. That being said.....you should see what I have coming down the pipeline :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtkP5gTX6Hc

Thank-you for the compliments.

Taipan that red carpet is awesome!

I love S. haddoni for the spectacular range of colours. Some of the "redest, raddist" anemones I've seen were haddoni.

S. mertensii can beat out haddoni in size, and would something be interesting to see because you hardly ever see them in captivity .. but ordinarily they don't tend to be very brightly coloured.

I love S gigantea's however, these are perhaps my favourite species if I'm allowed to say such a thing. I currently have a green and a purple. The green is about 9 years now in care, the purple about 5. I'll look for pictures to share these.

I had a H. magnifica anemone for close to 9 years before I sold it in a moment of regrettable weakness (it was really too large for my setup, it was enormous, and was too much of a danger to fish inhabitants - not by consumption but rather it could shed an enormous amount of nematocysts at times which would then prove fatal to all fish in the tank except for the clownfish. The emotional toll of losing everything was too much and thus I sold it .... but unfortunately the person I sold it to had a tank crash and it perished a month later. I had it nearly a decade and would probably still have it if I could have had unlimited resources to dedicate towards multiple reef setups. :(

Let me go look for some pictures, will post back! :)

I need some newer photos. All these are very old. :redface: These look to be taken shortly after my 280g went online.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/DSC_0028.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/IMG_1913.jpg

[http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...f/DSC_0016.jpg

Kien took these earlier this year:
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...psa5c4875d.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...psf0613c17.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...pse3f560df.jpg

Those Kien shots are verrrry nice! Desktop background status, ding

Taipan, do you feed your carpet steroids? That thing is huge!

Only you can actually make me gigiddy with anticipation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V2G...e_gdata_player

And awesome nems Tony!

WOW! Great shots!

Thanks Rickcasa ;) lol.

Also: Those PICTURES are AWESOME! Thanks so much for sharing. :)

Burgundy Gold Tipped Mertensii Carpets......
 

I was at a local LFS earlier and came across these 2 Stichodactyla mertensii carpet anemones. I originally was mistaken and thought they were Stichodactyla gigantea. However; after further inquiry on another forum and re-assessing the underlying verruccae - I learned it was a Mertensii.

I personally haven't seen this colour morph/combination before; nor have I seen them this small in size - approx 4" and 6" respectively. They can be best described as Burgundy with Gold tips in my opinion.

Thee pictures were taken with a camera phone. I'll try and post better quality pictures soon.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9a03a491.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps17ff466b.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps546cd4ed.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps461ff27f.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps36ad3a35.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2fcf4a8e.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...psa011740b.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...psf70b38c4.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2ace0425.jpg

Nifty! It is definitely a species not seen very often in the hobby. Especially neat to see them at this size. If for sure S. mertensii they have the potential to get rather large!

I was wondering at first if S. helianthus was also a possibility but I do not remember very well what their verruca look like. The shape and patterning is certainly consistent with merten's and the tentacles as well. So probably not. I suppose if you have the ability to ask the store where they were sourced, if Caribbean then helianthus, if Pacific then mertensii.

Did you get any for yourself?

S. helianthus.....
 

I've kept S. helianthus in the past and actually gave it to a friend of mine a while ago. It came in from a Caribbean shipment at the LFS. It was different and caught my eye. What really caught my attention was the excpetionally powerful sting and stickiness of S. helianthus. Unlike any carpet I've encountered before.

One of the Mertensii Carpets didn't make it unfortunately. The other seems to be relatively well but I'll wait a little longer before calling it a success.

I'm in the midst of acquiring a Purple Gigantea that I've sourced out and hope to have new Red Carpet for my upcoming build. :mrgreen: I'll keep you posted.

Flaming Pink Bubble Tip Anemone.....
 

I'm well aware that this specimen has most likely has gone through some form of bleaching (via high intensity lighting). However; that being said.....I took a chance on this particular anemone since it was "orphaned" at an LFS by a good client who was moving. It has been in captivity for quite some time from the original client. I'm hoping that since it has been in captivity for awhile and the tips of it are still orange/gold - despite the bleaching.....the colour will remain as vibrant. Traditionally from my experience; bubble tip anemones that are "fresh off the plane" and bleached will return to their "normal" colouration in time. Also; the tips are generally bleached as well - no gold or orange. It's currently being held for me as I'm awaiting the completion of my new Display. It's being held under T5 conditions; but low level lighting T5s (4 bulbs, not 6 or 8 bulbs). We'll see if it changes colouration or reverts to an 'original' colour under low(er) intensity lighting over time. No photo shopping or editing involved in these pics. Enjoy.....

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps20ca61dc.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9bc48bbd.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2229c93c.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3ad0a016.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4dd2571f.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscc4fcfca.jpg

I just have little nems...

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...uly8201211.jpg

It's not "just" tiny or any anemone...it's beautiful :)

Updated and Additional Pics.....
 

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6a64819c.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscc84a76e.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...psec20e23c.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5da00684.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...psecace675.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6b9b0a34.jpg

New Mystery Find.....
 

I'll update when I get a definitive answer to what kind of anemone it actually is......

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0ae0e8ea.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfe01c8f9.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps16c3a699.jpg

Is it maybe the fish eating anemone (Urticina piscivora)

Edit: never mind, just saw the other thread =)

No need to apologize. I value your input. It entirely possible. However; from the Google pics I've compared it to....it does seem like a variant of a "Ball" Anemone - Corynactis sp.

I was used to seeing the smaller Caribbean Ball Anemones and have not encountered one this size before.