I just scored two S. Gigantea's this morning.

[Reefahholic]

I found them in a place that I never really thought to look. I would rather keep the location a secret due to some of my local forum buddies who browse this forum from time to time. I don't want anybody to figure out where I got them, because I believe I can get a few more.

So yeah, just happened to stop by a LFS I rarely visit and low and behold, I saw what appeared to be an Atlantic Carpet Anemone at first glance. As I was looking closer, I saw that some clowns were hosting this Nem. It was a fairly decent size, maybe small to medium. I thought to myself that Atlantic carpets are not host Anemones and that I've never personally seen a clown host them. Not saying it's impossible, but I've just never seen it. So I texted Minh and another experienced reefer and sent pics. We all couldn't really tell from the pictures. Then my phone went dead and the place was closing. So I left and went home, but was still thinking about it all night. After my phone charged and I was looking at the pics again, I was really starting to think that this Nem really looked like a Gig. I decided to go back in the morning. Just before I was about to leave, Minh texted me again and said he also thought the same thing. So I was there when the doors opened and went straight to the tank where I saw it. It was still there. I couldn't believe it! Then upon further inspection, I saw another one that was very small and looked sick that I didn't even see the night before. I don't know how I missed it. I looked for the identifying markings of a Gig and sure enough, they were indeed both Gigs! Can't tell you how excited I got. ;-)


Nothing real special. One was dark brown with a hint of green and the other was a solid light green with no brown. I scrapped both off the glass very patiently and bagged them because the guy said I could do it myself if I wanted. I think he could see that I was worried about him injuring the foot.


Not very pretty at all, but they mean a lot to me. After getting them home and in QT, I noticed that both had changed colors dramatically. The dark brown Gig was now light brown, and the green Gig was now completely brown with not a hint of green. I swear he was a solid light green when I saw him. I don't forget things like that. So anyway, this is not a very good pic, and it was just after I put them in QT with a crappy light on them. The tiny one tripled in size in a matter of mere hours with Cipro dose. He responded very well. I will update shortly when I get a better light on them and they're acclimated better.


I think you guys will be really surprised that one will be "green" like I said. In this picture, you would not think in a billion years that one of these is going to be solid light green. They both look completely brown. I like them though.


:beer:

[Reefahholic]

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/4A5FBEF0-738C-4158-9429-57F2635450C2.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/4A5FBEF0-738C-4158-9429-57F2635450C2.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/7B7E9AE6-0C19-466E-9B5D-270FD6A03EA3.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/7B7E9AE6-0C19-466E-9B5D-270FD6A03EA3.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/4AFDFF65-4201-4470-8A56-477D6FD599DF.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/4AFDFF65-4201-4470-8A56-477D6FD599DF.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/E4CDA407-CA4D-4754-BF20-ACCBC48522A7.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/E4CDA407-CA4D-4754-BF20-ACCBC48522A7.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/81178265-D8AE-45E3-8390-BBD321898E3C.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/81178265-D8AE-45E3-8390-BBD321898E3C.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/49F7E3D4-8C06-4913-84E6-2E2C118713A0.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/49F7E3D4-8C06-4913-84E6-2E2C118713A0.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/3CE6FF5D-D1BB-49DF-995A-7474A66AF8FA.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/3CE6FF5D-D1BB-49DF-995A-7474A66AF8FA.jpg.html)

[clorox]

Lucky weekend indeed. Congratulations! You scored 2 and I scored the little albino gig :)

[Reefahholic]

Lucky weekend indeed. Congratulations! You scored 2 and I scored the little albino gig :)

:bounce1::dance:


It really feels good. We got lucky indeed! Price was great too.


I felt like I just found buried treasure! :celeb3:

[Kaman8]

Is it so hard to find gigs in US? We have a lot of gigs here and very cheap. Blue gigs are just around $60 dollars.

Congrats on your 2 gigs ......keep us update about the 2 :)

[DasCamel]

Is it so hard to find gigs in US? We have a lot of gigs here and very cheap. Blue gigs are just around $60 dollars.

Congrats on your 2 gigs ......keep us update about the 2 :)

My area, unheard off unless I drive 100 miles and hit up a ton of stores then may get lucky.

[Kaman8]

Just took a picture from the lfs that is 20 min from my house . 3 blue gigs :)

[Reefahholic]

Is it so hard to find gigs in US? We have a lot of gigs here and very cheap. Blue gigs are just around $60 dollars.

Congrats on your 2 gigs ......keep us update about the 2 :)

Man you are not kidding. They are hard to come by. You can get them, but they are expensive.

[Reefahholic]

Just took a picture from the lfs that is 20 min from my house . 3 blue gigs :)

DANG!!!!

If I were to walk into a store are see that many healthy Gigs, I'm very likely to go into cardiac arrest. That is awesome, but then again, I think that's what makes us appreciate them so much. Hard to get and hard to keep.

:-)

[Kaman8]

I made a big mistake. I went to the lfs and saw the carpet that looks like haddoni and the lfs told me that it is a haddoni. I was in a hurry so I didn't look at the foot. Took it home and after floating put it in the bucket for acclimating and then I saw purple dots at the foot and then I know they sold me a gigantea. Call them and told them it is not a haddoni and they still said that is a haddoni. I said it have purple dots on the foot, I am not stupid , I know the different of haddoni and gig. I am a woman but not stupid and then they told me to bring it back. If am really sure that I can handle a gig then I will take a chance , but I am sure that I can't handle and don't want a gig die in my tank.

[albano]

I found them in a place that I never really thought to look. I would rather keep the location a secret due to some of my local forum buddies who browse this forum from time to time. I don't want anybody to figure out where I got them, because I believe I can get a few more.


Which Petco was it?
;)

[Kaman8]

Why do we only have gigs here, I want a blue haddoni and they are so rare here. They even sell red haddoni, but no blue :(

[OrionN]

Why do we only have gigs here, I want a blue haddoni and they are so rare here. They even sell red haddoni, but no blue :(
Blue and purple Haddoni are not as rare as Red ones. I am sure if you are patient, you find them. Once you see a Gigantea in person, you will not make mistake a normal Haddoni from a normal Gigantea. There are common anemone out there that are hybrid of the two species, IMO.

I am sorry that you have to return that beautiful Blue Gigantea, I would kill for him.
Gigantea are not common here due to their poor shipping tract record. Many LFS will just eat the cost for them when they get them, so they avoid order them like plaque. Only if they are sure they have a customer for them before they order them. Due to this reason, wholesaler tend to not get them either.

[Kaman8]

Blue and purple Haddoni are not as rare as Red ones. I am sure if you are patient, you find them. Once you see a Gigantea in person, you will not make mistake a normal Haddoni from a normal Gigantea. There are common anemone out there that are hybrid of the two species, IMO.

I am sorry that you have to return that beautiful Blue Gigantea, I would kill for him.
Gigantea are not common here due to their poor shipping tract record. Many LFS will just eat the cost for them when they get them, so they avoid order them like plaque. Only if they are sure they have a customer for them before they order them. Due to this reason, wholesaler tend to not get them either.

Blue and green gigs arrived here every week , but I haven't seen blue haddonis here in years. But I defiantly will get a gig in the future. I know that I am just not ready yet.

[Reefahholic]

Gosh that's a beautiful Gig!

[Kaman8]

Gosh that's a beautiful Gig!

It is very pretty and not bleached and very sticky, mouth not gaping....it is in a good condition. Too bad that I am not ready yet for such difficult carpet.

[cyclenut]

Nice score! Good luck with them.

[Anemone12]

I really need to start going to petco more...lol

[cyclenut]

Some petco's will surprise you. I was down in socal and they had a cheap mag for 49.99. I was going to pick it up but didn't have tank space a the time.

[clorox]

Some petco's will surprise you. I was down in socal and they had a cheap mag for 49.99. I was going to pick it up but didn't have tank space a the time.

I agree, however knowing which are the ones that carry Saltwater fish is a pain. I couldn't find a list when I googled. You need to call each store to find out. The one in South Pasadena on Arroyo has an impressive selection (as far as Petco stores go). That's where I bought my 30 dollar Haddoni.

[clorox]

It is very pretty and not bleached and very sticky, mouth not gaping....it is in a good condition. Too bad that I am not ready yet for such difficult carpet.

Are you finding these in Tung Choi Street?

[Kaman8]

Are you finding these in Tung Choi Street?

Yes the fish street :)

[M Woodhill]

Yes the fish street :)

That's why I'm always looking for a posting in HK. When I worked in Beijing, I had a wonderful selection of sps and gigs.

What I pay for a 1" frag here can buy me a mini colony in HK. Adopt me plz lol

[M Woodhill]

It is very pretty and not bleached and very sticky, mouth not gaping....it is in a good condition. Too bad that I am not ready yet for such difficult carpet.

When you start with a healthy one like what you're havin, a gig isn't so hard to sustain. Keep it dude ;-)

[Reefahholic]

I agree, I don't think they're hard when their local.

It's when they have been shipped 20x to get to the US and get treated with different antibiotics by various vendors. Go through the hands of multiple people. They build up tolerance to antibiotic therapy, are severely stressed, and then become extremely difficult to keep or get acclimated.

They are sensitive anyway though, but you can understand why some will never survive.

[Kaman8]

When you start with a healthy one like what you're havin, a gig isn't so hard to sustain. Keep it dude ;-)

I was too scared to keep it. Heard to many bad stories about gigs here on RC. I am not in a hurry, when the gigs just arrived the lfs they are all healthy, just don't let it sit too long in their tank. They get every Sunday new arrival .

[albano]

It's when they have been shipped 20x to get to the US and get treated with different antibiotics by various vendors. Go through the hands of multiple people. They build up tolerance to antibiotic therapy, are severely stressed, and then become extremely difficult to keep or get acclimated.


????
How many shipments do you think they have to go thru to get to the US?
What multiple people/vendors are treating them?
How quickly can "they build up a tolerance to antibiotic therapy"?

[Reefahholic]

????
How many shipments do you think they have to go thru to get to the US?
What multiple people/vendors are treating them?
How quickly can "they build up a tolerance to antibiotic therapy"?

Some may come straight here, but I'm assuming others exchange hands quite a few times. I would think some go through at least 3-4 shipments before we get them at our dinky little LFS. Example, divers get the Gig. Gig takes boat ride back to port. Gig put on truck. Truck travels to local destination and gig placed in holding tank with multiple others who could already have or may be getting an infection. Another truck arrives later to pick up and ship out. Gig back on truck heading to airport. Then it's taken off truck and transported into airplane. Airplane flys across seas and lands in US. Another truck arrives and picks up Gig for next destination. Do you get what I'm saying? It can go on and on. By the time we get them, it can be real bad.


Anytime you are dealing with MONEY and PROFIT, people will do whatever it takes to keep that animal alive to receive their payoff. Of course we aren't the only people treating them. This is 2014, and everybody has Google and the internet.


They can build tolerance the same way we can. There is a reason why your doctor will tell you to take ALL your antibiotics even if or when you start to feel better.

[Reefahholic]

Update:


http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/3710C2A9-4787-4087-8A7B-14113FB34454.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/3710C2A9-4787-4087-8A7B-14113FB34454.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/E711EA3F-11C1-4C7D-846C-9233694994D6.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/E711EA3F-11C1-4C7D-846C-9233694994D6.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/2C075E99-E473-482C-9AC1-BE18537A9193.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2C075E99-E473-482C-9AC1-BE18537A9193.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/544D65C9-52C4-4369-947B-F9E36929506C.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/544D65C9-52C4-4369-947B-F9E36929506C.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/EEEE6748-0240-4105-B54E-01D7845EFF01.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/EEEE6748-0240-4105-B54E-01D7845EFF01.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/10111EED-D911-41B5-B931-188689976E11.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/10111EED-D911-41B5-B931-188689976E11.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/CAD6F2DD-6444-49DC-9F08-AFF2BA31293D.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/CAD6F2DD-6444-49DC-9F08-AFF2BA31293D.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/36B298F2-9316-4DDF-830A-12378EC453C5.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/36B298F2-9316-4DDF-830A-12378EC453C5.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/CD6F2BEA-4D43-4F13-98A4-BA53D9F90D66.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/CD6F2BEA-4D43-4F13-98A4-BA53D9F90D66.jpg.html)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/JaredJHarms/Mobile%20Uploads/26DEE70D-2778-4D68-AA8C-4C8CB6254285.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/JaredJHarms/media/Mobile%20Uploads/26DEE70D-2778-4D68-AA8C-4C8CB6254285.jpg.html)

[OrionN]

How are they today. Best of luck with them. I do think that we are getting anemones that are infected with bacterial that are resistant to Cipro. Maybe we should start with Septra (Trim-sulfa first. It is much harder to become resistant to Trim-Sulfa than it is for Cipro)

[OrionN]

I think the smaller one have the potential to be very nice. Like this one:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=279231&stc=1&d=1401152339

[cyclenut]

Looking good. Keep up the great work!

[Reefahholic]

How are they today. Best of luck with them. I do think that we are getting anemones that are infected with bacterial that are resistant to Cipro. Maybe we should start with Septra (Trim-sulfa first. It is much harder to become resistant to Trim-Sulfa than it is for Cipro)

Indeed.

I think that's a great idea. I'm gonna use Septra 1st on these next mags. Shipment didn't make it again. I don't know what's been going on. Both my LFS are slacking!

[Reefahholic]

I still want him. I'll get you a nice Magnifica. Promise..

[clorox]

Does anyone know if there is any correlation between the color of the column and color of the tentacles?

[M Woodhill]

I was too scared to keep it. Heard to many bad stories about gigs here on RC. I am not in a hurry, when the gigs just arrived the lfs they are all healthy, just don't let it sit too long in their tank. They get every Sunday new arrival .

It's quite interestin it then was very hard to find a blue/green haddoni and so it still is now ;-)

You can try

Mentersii--well Hong Kong is as crowded as New York so I understand property size might be a problem

[Kaman8]

It's quite interestin it then was very hard to find a blue/green haddoni and so it still is now ;-)

You can try

Mentersii--well Hong Kong is as crowded as New York so I understand property size might be a problem

Yeah it's very hard to get haddonis here and if they have a haddoni it will be sold very fast. I was even looking in china and there is no haddoni too.

Hong Kong is a small place with too many peoples. Property is very small here compare with my home country Netherlands .

[OrionN]

Does anyone know if there is any correlation between the color of the column and color of the tentacles?
There is no correlation between the color of the column and the color of the tentacle tips.

[M Woodhill]

Yeah it's very hard to get haddonis here and if they have a haddoni it will be sold very fast. I was even looking in china and there is no haddoni too.

Hong Kong is a small place with too many peoples. Property is very small here compare with my home country Netherlands .

Well, everything about saltwater in China comes from Hong Kong so if you fail to find what you want in Hong Kong, so will you in China ;-)

You can try Singapore though but I don't guess it's easy to bring it back to Hong Kong

And you can sure try gig because most of what you read from here about
it is based on american experiences. What I had in Beijing were both very hardy. To pass the Customs, I drove over the border and to skip security check at the airport, I took train from Shenzhen to Beijing. But they were fine. I ended up with a tiny tan one though. a local reefer in Beijing once got a cardinal mag. it looked SICK. Had it been listed on dd, it wouldve gone viral

still missin those mini sps colonies :bounce1:

[Kaman8]

Well, everything about saltwater in China comes from Hong Kong so if you fail to find what you want in Hong Kong, so will you in China ;-)

You can try Singapore though but I don't guess it's easy to bring it back to Hong Kong

And you can sure try gig because most of what you read from here about
it is based on american experiences. What I had in Beijing were both very hardy. To pass the Customs, I drove over the border and to skip security check at the airport, I took train from Shenzhen to Beijing. But they were fine. I ended up with a tiny tan one though. a local reefer in Beijing once got a cardinal mag. it looked SICK. Had it been listed on dd, it wouldve gone viral

still missin those mini sps colonies :bounce1:

Maybe your right. Peoples here on RC failed to keep gigs , because they are in bad health. They are in very good condition here. Maybe I should give a try, but will do it after the tank upgrade. Will be moving home soon and will do an upgrade the same time.

[Reefahholic]

Maybe your right. Peoples here on RC failed to keep gigs , because they are in bad health. They are in very good condition here. Maybe I should give a try, but will do it after the tank upgrade. Will be moving home soon and will do an upgrade the same time.

Yeah, those there look outstanding and I bet you won't have the problems we do here.

[Kaman8]

Yeah, those there look outstanding and I bet you won't have the problems we do here.

I will need a lot of help from you guys then ......have defiantly no experience with giganteas .

[Reefahholic]

We can help. Minh, D-Nak, and Taylor all have quite a few. They can surely help you.