OMG..I think my Ritteri is splitting...

[GSchiemer]

Greg,

Here is the picture of my anemones, one in front and one in the back. Sorry I don't have them side-by-side, and did not document the fission process.
Regarding the ability of H. magnifica to reproduce asexually, the statement by Drs Faulin and Allen is enough for me because I have seen the fission process first hand in my tank. I am not saying that this happen regularly or it is the main method of reproduction of these Anemones. I just say that at times H. magnifica reproduce asexually.

Minh

Minh,

It's often difficult to distinguish Heteractis magnifica from Entacmaea quadricolor, which is known to reproduce by fission. They behave similarly and are sometimes colored alike. I'm not saying that your anemones aren't H. magnifica, it's just not possible to tell from the pictures.

Greg Schiemer

 

[jamesw]

Hi Greg,

Minh's anemone(s) are in fact H magnifica. Pretty cool huh?

Here is a photo of mine, in captivity for over 12 Months:

For the original poster - I set u... go for this host anemone. HTH James Wiseman

 

[Minh Nguyen]

Greg,
Once you keep both species, it is very easy to tell the different between the two. Anyway, the H. magnifica that I have is very typical in coloration. They have purple columns with purplish tentacles and yellow tip. Both clones are about 18+ inches in diameter at this time. I have stop feeding them to keep them from growing out of their house. All I can say is that I can assure you that I did not misID my anemones. If you see these two anemones in person, I am sure you will agree.
A few weeks ago, I saw James Wiseman’s H. magnifica. James anemone has very atypical tentacles. It has pointed tentacles instead of blunted like mine. (As you can see from the picture he posted) I find this to be very interesting and point this out. I have seen James anemone last year when it look much more typical.
Minh

 

[Minh Nguyen]

......
For the original poster - I set up my aquarium SPECIFICALLY to house this anemone. It has a 400w iwasaki directly over it. The anemone is on top of a pinnacle of rockwork. This is the only way to go for this host anemone.
......

Jeff,

I completely agree with James. H. magnifica needs extremely high light and current. Maybe one can keep this anemone alive with feeding and less then optimal light, they will wander around looking for better spot and will kill them self and lay waste to your aquarium.
Like James anemone, my Ritteri never move from the spot I created for him. It took me more than 1-year before I was able to locate the anemone I wanted. All this time, the spot was vacant, waiting for the animal. I am very happy that I bought this anemone. It is a joy and a stunning animal for my tank. Please research and plan for this anemone well, and he will have a very long live. Otherwise, it will be wasted and will provide nothing but grief for you and your tank.
I really hope you will follow our advice.
Good luck

Minh

 

[jeffsdesigns]

Well..within the last few hours..He took a punge for worst. So I went ahead and took him out of my tank and laid him to rest.

I think, I may go with something thats a little harder till I evenually switch out my light system.
I'm thinking a BTA. I have been told they are more acceptable to my lighting and alot easier to care for.
I'm done corals and fish..i'm experienced at..except for Anemones..which I'm wanting to learn.

Maybe next time, I decide to get another Ritteri, he won't be a sick one.

If I go with a BTA..I am thinking Dr. Mac..since they have cloners.
I called my LFS and they don't deal with anemones so its either mail order. One LFS that does deal with them. I never had any luck with anything they get. My guess, poor quality of animals they get from their supplier. So, I have stayed away from them.

May my Ritteri rest in peace.
I tried my best to nurse him back to health..with no luck.

 

[wombat1]

You may want to try and find a BTA or rose BTA clone in a for sale forum, either here or at reefcentral.com, rather than going MO. At least try and get one that you can see in person before you buy. If you buy one through MO you might be getting a wasted specimen. In addition, MO might be more expensive. I have two rose BTAs that cloned from larger anemones so I know that one day they will split also, which is nice. I feed mine half a cube of Formula One a day and they've grown noticeably.

 

[aquarist=broke]

May I recommend some intense reading (internet or books) before any future purchases. A lot of mis-information can be handed to you from some LFS sometimes. I can understand the desire to have one, and the impulse feelings one can have when at an aquarium shop. Yoda says,"The dark side are they."

Anemones need proper care to survive. In the wild, they could live forever...

 

[jamesw]

Greg,

I'm sorry for your loss and I thank you for having the guts to post your anemone experiences. I hope you don't feel that anyone "flamed" you and I am very happy in that I feel that we ALL learned a lot from this thread.

Cheers
James