H. Crispa tentacle length variability

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 4, 2025

This may actually apply to other species as well, but many H. Crispa for sale have stubby tentacles while the one I had in my old tank had long flowing tentacles.

Why?

Indicator of long term health?
Different genes?
Different conditions?

Any comments are appreciated.

My old one:

An H. Crispa currently at PEA:

Isaac Alves · Sep 4, 2025

Following....

bradleym · Sep 4, 2025

Many times, H. Malu is mislabeled as H. Crispa. H. Malu naturally has much shorter tentacles, typically some short around the edge of the oral disc and the rest VERY short in the middle of the oral disc. This looks possibly the case with your photo from PEA.

However, H. Crispa in general often does not do well adapting to captivity at first. They tend to bleach, and during the recovery process will start to consume themselves for energy. This also can occur in aquariums with ultra low nutrients. Once established in a healthy environment with proper lighting and nutrition, the tentacles will regrow to their original length and color.

These are the two most common causes of the confusion regarding H. Crispa tentacle length as far as I am aware of.

OrionN · Sep 4, 2025

It is health related. However I also agree with @bradleym regarding (@PacificEastAquaculture) Dr. Mac has tendency to miss ID Malu and Crispa. The several purple tipped anemone on the site listed over the last several months, I would have ID them as Malu rather than Crispa on over 1/2 of them.
I am sure having them right in front of him, he would have an advantage over me so I cannot say I am right 100% of the time.