Crispa or Malu

Ron Popeil · 03/13/2017, 08:50 AM

Im 90% sure this is a Heteractis malu. Help me fill in that remaining 10% of certainty.

I dont have any pictures of the base, but its solid white, lumpy and leathery like one would expect out of a H. crispa.

What do you think?

davocean · 03/13/2017, 09:03 AM

Sure looks like Malu to me too based on those two pics.

humphreyhh · 03/13/2017, 09:20 AM

I guess malu too. Its tentacles are kinda chubbier than what crispa normally has. It could be a hungry crispa though...

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OrionN · 03/13/2017, 01:19 PM

I think it is a Malu also. You know for sure in a year or two.

phender · 03/13/2017, 01:34 PM

I wish I could help you be more certain, but I can't. How long have you had the anemone?
IME, if there are markings on the tentacles of H. malu, they are usually in the form of annual rings.
The markings on your anemone's tentacles match more of what I have seen on recently imported H. crispa or ones that are regaining zooxanthellae.

Based on the pics and your description, I would be closer to 50/50.

deangelr · 03/13/2017, 02:08 PM

another vote for malu!

Ron Popeil · 03/13/2017, 02:56 PM

Thank you everyone for your expertise!

Quote:

Originally Posted by phender

I wish I could help you be more certain, but I can't. How long have you had the anemone?
IME, if there are markings on the tentacles of H. malu, they are usually in the form of annual rings.
The markings on your anemone's tentacles match more of what I have seen on recently imported H. crispa or ones that are regaining zooxanthellae.

Based on the pics and your description, I would be closer to 50/50.

This has been in my aquarium about 3 weeks. Collected in Australia.

traveller7 · 03/13/2017, 06:46 PM

Based on just the picture and no other data provided, I'd be leaning crispa over malu.

Radial lines on the oral disk, a couple of tentacles that are "healthy" but split, all match some of my prior crispas. Of course, they could have been improperly ID'd as well

Ron Popeil · 03/13/2017, 07:34 PM

ah, well all encouraging. its supposed to be crispa...lets see what happens after some feedings and a few more months.

thank you!

davocean · 03/13/2017, 07:49 PM

And both being indigenous to Australia...guess over some time size will confirm ID, FWIW Malu became my favorite sand dwellar and mixed reef nem due to size and sand based, hopefully it turns out healthy and beautiful for you either way, would like to see follow ups when you have a better idea.

aznflyfisherman · 03/14/2017, 10:40 AM

I want one of these, which one is easier to keep, i have a few btas in my 110g tank currently, i like the purple ones. Thanks

JonezNReef · 03/14/2017, 10:57 AM

Looks similar to my Malu. Either way it looks really good, happy and healthy

Here's mine with no lights on. (crappy iPhone pic with flash)

With lights on (sorry about the blue)

Ron Popeil · 04/10/2017, 07:27 PM

any updated thoughts?

pfan151 · 04/12/2017, 01:26 PM

I'd go crispa. My LFS got one in that looked identical a few weeks ago. It caught my eye because it was the first time I had every seen a non bleached crispa in a LFS.

davocean · 04/12/2017, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Popeil

photo 937EA20D-2B61-4B3B-AF81-3817747F914F_zpsemjzruy8.jpg

any updated thoughts?

Looks identical to my my last two Malu's in that pic

CoralsAddiction · 04/12/2017, 05:33 PM

I think it's a Malu too but ragardless of its true ID, that's one nice looking nem.

CoralsAddiction · 04/13/2017, 02:01 PM

I hit up a fish store in OC today and they had a bunch of nems labeled as Sebae. There were two distinct groups of these "Sebae" anemones. Group one consisted of purple anemones very similar to yours. The other group included greenish looking nems. Group 2 had definite characteristics of H. Malu while group 1 did not have them. You can compare the pics below. I also recorded a video and will post them later. Which group does your nem look closer to?
Group 1

Group 2

Ron Popeil · 04/13/2017, 02:40 PM

thanks for those pictures. youre right that my anemone does look much more like group 1 than group 2.

im just not seeing the growth out of the center tentacles as i would expect if this was a crispa. i would think it would start to get more dense with more uniform tentacle length.

more updates in the next few months. thanks again everyone!

OrionN · 04/13/2017, 02:55 PM

I think your anemone and both groups above are Malu. Crispa have denser tentacles and bigger anemones.
Ron
How large is your anemone? How much feeding?

Ron Popeil · 04/13/2017, 03:35 PM

hi minh, the anemone is about 4-5" in diameter, although its folded in half due to its current position in the rocks. ive actually stopped feeding it because it was getting rapidly bigger in size, just not with its tentacle length. If it is a malu, id like to keep it smaller.

taylor t · 04/14/2017, 03:41 AM

My guess is malu also. A beautiful anemone!

CoralsAddiction · 04/14/2017, 09:31 AM

Group 1 and Group 2 videos. Both could be Malus indeed.
https://youtu.be/QROr5Kf1UlQ
https://youtu.be/B83ePkdf1H0

nemguy · 04/14/2017, 12:45 PM

I have one just like it I don't know if it's a malu or not

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garygb · 04/17/2017, 01:57 PM

I got this anemone in Feb of last year. Looks a lot like yours Ron. I think mine is a crispa, is attached in a hole in a large rock and is 9 or 10 inches across with only occasional direct feeding. It was about 5 inches when I got it a year ago. I thought then it might be a malu, but based on the size, the fact it is happy attached in the rock and the look of the column, I assume crispa. Anybody think it's malu?

CoralsAddiction · 04/17/2017, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garygb

I got this anemone in Feb of last year. Looks a lot like yours Ron. I think mine is a crispa, is attached in a hole in a large rock and is 9 or 10 inches across with only occasional direct feeding. It was about 5 inches when I got it a year ago. I thought then it might be a malu, but based on the size, the fact it is happy attached in the rock and the look of the column, I assume crispa. Anybody think it's malu?

I really like that fat and colorful orange skunk clown!

03/13/2017, 08:50 AM	#1
Ron Popeil Love them clownfish. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 2,268	Crispa or Malu Im 90% sure this is a Heteractis malu. Help me fill in that remaining 10% of certainty. I dont have any pictures of the base, but its solid white, lumpy and leathery like one would expect out of a H. crispa. What do you think? __________________ ...he came with a razor blade bound, like us all, for the ocean... Current Tank Info: 150 DD Last edited by Ron Popeil; 03/27/2018 at 12:32 PM.

03/13/2017, 09:03 AM	#2
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Sure looks like Malu to me too based on those two pics. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/13/2017, 01:19 PM	#4
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	I think it is a Malu also. You know for sure in a year or two. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

03/13/2017, 01:34 PM	#5
phender Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 4,561	I wish I could help you be more certain, but I can't. How long have you had the anemone? IME, if there are markings on the tentacles of H. malu, they are usually in the form of annual rings. The markings on your anemone's tentacles match more of what I have seen on recently imported H. crispa or ones that are regaining zooxanthellae. Based on the pics and your description, I would be closer to 50/50. __________________ Phil Current Tank Info: 50 gal reef, used to have - 60 gal reef, 40 gal reef, 2-20 gal clownfish tanks which were also reefs.

03/13/2017, 02:08 PM	#6
deangelr Clown Whisperererer Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,262	another vote for malu! __________________ Many Tanks.... ACROS, CLOWNS AND ANEMONES...

03/13/2017, 09:20 AM	#3
humphreyhh Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 581	I guess malu too. Its tentacles are kinda chubbier than what crispa normally has. It could be a hungry crispa though... Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

03/13/2017, 06:46 PM	#8
traveller7 Time to get back in? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 9,441	Based on just the picture and no other data provided, I'd be leaning crispa over malu. Radial lines on the oral disk, a couple of tentacles that are "healthy" but split, all match some of my prior crispas. Of course, they could have been improperly ID'd as well __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: Glass 2.5's

03/13/2017, 07:34 PM	#9
Ron Popeil Love them clownfish. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 2,268	ah, well all encouraging. its supposed to be crispa...lets see what happens after some feedings and a few more months. thank you! __________________ ...he came with a razor blade bound, like us all, for the ocean... Current Tank Info: 150 DD

03/13/2017, 07:49 PM	#10
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	And both being indigenous to Australia...guess over some time size will confirm ID, FWIW Malu became my favorite sand dwellar and mixed reef nem due to size and sand based, hopefully it turns out healthy and beautiful for you either way, would like to see follow ups when you have a better idea. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/14/2017, 10:40 AM	#11
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	I want one of these, which one is easier to keep, i have a few btas in my 110g tank currently, i like the purple ones. Thanks

03/14/2017, 10:57 AM	#12
JonezNReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 782	Crispa or Malu Looks similar to my Malu. Either way it looks really good, happy and healthy Here's mine with no lights on. (crappy iPhone pic with flash) With lights on (sorry about the blue) __________________ "I chop up animals and glue them to rocks" Current Tank Info: System 1 Mixed Reef: 180g DT,180g Fuge, 120g Sump http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2611735

04/10/2017, 07:27 PM	#13
Ron Popeil Love them clownfish. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 2,268	any updated thoughts? __________________ ...he came with a razor blade bound, like us all, for the ocean... Current Tank Info: 150 DD Last edited by Ron Popeil; 03/27/2018 at 12:34 PM.

04/12/2017, 01:26 PM	#14
pfan151 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: FL Posts: 1,897	I'd go crispa. My LFS got one in that looked identical a few weeks ago. It caught my eye because it was the first time I had every seen a non bleached crispa in a LFS.

04/12/2017, 05:33 PM	#16
CoralsAddiction Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: L.A./Tahoe Posts: 6,003	I think it's a Malu too but ragardless of its true ID, that's one nice looking nem.

04/13/2017, 02:01 PM	#17
CoralsAddiction Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: L.A./Tahoe Posts: 6,003	I hit up a fish store in OC today and they had a bunch of nems labeled as Sebae. There were two distinct groups of these "Sebae" anemones. Group one consisted of purple anemones very similar to yours. The other group included greenish looking nems. Group 2 had definite characteristics of H. Malu while group 1 did not have them. You can compare the pics below. I also recorded a video and will post them later. Which group does your nem look closer to? Group 1 Group 2 Last edited by CoralsAddiction; 04/13/2017 at 02:18 PM. Reason: Text edit

04/13/2017, 02:40 PM	#18
Ron Popeil Love them clownfish. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 2,268	thanks for those pictures. youre right that my anemone does look much more like group 1 than group 2. im just not seeing the growth out of the center tentacles as i would expect if this was a crispa. i would think it would start to get more dense with more uniform tentacle length. more updates in the next few months. thanks again everyone! __________________ ...he came with a razor blade bound, like us all, for the ocean... Current Tank Info: 150 DD

04/13/2017, 02:55 PM	#19
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	I think your anemone and both groups above are Malu. Crispa have denser tentacles and bigger anemones. Ron How large is your anemone? How much feeding? __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

04/13/2017, 03:35 PM	#20
Ron Popeil Love them clownfish. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 2,268	hi minh, the anemone is about 4-5" in diameter, although its folded in half due to its current position in the rocks. ive actually stopped feeding it because it was getting rapidly bigger in size, just not with its tentacle length. If it is a malu, id like to keep it smaller. __________________ ...he came with a razor blade bound, like us all, for the ocean... Current Tank Info: 150 DD

04/14/2017, 03:41 AM	#21
taylor t Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Naperville, Il Posts: 2,396	My guess is malu also. A beautiful anemone!

04/14/2017, 09:31 AM	#22
CoralsAddiction Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: L.A./Tahoe Posts: 6,003	Group 1 and Group 2 videos. Both could be Malus indeed. https://youtu.be/QROr5Kf1UlQ https://youtu.be/B83ePkdf1H0

04/14/2017, 12:45 PM	#23
nemguy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: long island, NY Posts: 426	I have one just like it I don't know if it's a malu or not Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk