Anemone ID

[ken6217]

I saw an anemone yesterday that looked like a BTA and it was pinkish in color. The strore owner didn't remember the name but said it was from Australia and was somewhat rare. It was also expensive. He said the name started with and "M". I don't know if it is a Malu. Sorry for not giving more info. Does anyone have a possible idea what it is and if I should get it or stay away from it? Monry was not the issue. I didn't want to get something that does not do well in aquariums. By the way, lighting, water movement, and water quality is not an issue.
Ken

[hansonfam]

If it is indeed a malu that is one of the LTA"s and i find they are fairly easy to keep. I have 2 in my tank and all is we'll. The second one was a little bleached but has full colour back now and it is a light purple and my other one is a deep purple. Both are in pretty good water other than my nitrates are at about 10 and have been for months now:(
If it is a malu mine don't like alot of movement just enough to gently sway the tentacles and they are under 10,39 watt t5's.

I will attach a pic of the darker one as i don't have one of the light coloured one yet
Good luck

Lisa
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k208/hansonfam_2006/Anemones004.jpg

[raoul]

If it is a malu, it's part of the Heteractis family of anemones. You'll find H. magnifica and H. crispa in this family as well. Although they are in the same family, they have differences in their appearances and care.

Maybe doing a search on Heteractis malu (or H. malu) would be helpful.

I was under the impression that malus usually have shorter tentacles and are typically a more drab coloring. There don't seem to be too many pictures of positively ID'd malus on line. It seems that most who think they have a malu end up having something else.

Good luck!

[Fishfreak218]

if its from Australia it could be a Waratah anemone

[raoul]

http://www.edge-of-reef.com/anemoni/ESAHeteractismaluen.htm

http://www.netpets.com/fish/reference/reefref/heter4.html

Here are a few links that I've used in the past. Both contain pictures and helpful info. However, the picture of the malu in the first link looks very similar to the H. aurora in the second link's info.

Enjoy!

[ken6217]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to pass on it. If the store owner can't tell me what it is, then I don't want to take the chance that it is some rare hard to keep species, especially at 250 bucks.
ken