H. malu anemone drawbacks?

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

H. malu seems a lot less popular than many other anemones, despite some being very attractive and maybe less prone to shipping infections than some species.

Aside from not being a natural host for anything except Clarkii clownfish, what are the drawbacks making them seemingly less popular?

Here's one currently available from Pacific east, and it seems quite attractive.

https://pacificeastaquaculture.com/collections/anemone/products/fringed-heteractis-malu

 

[Ron Reefman]

Maybe the cost has something to do with it not being so popular?

 

[argiBK]

Malus are my second favorite anemone after Giganteas. Some of the raddest colors in the anemone family, bar a high end BTA.

They’re still often mistaken for and come into the hobby as Sebaes (probably the main reason). I think their old reputation for being very difficult to keep successfully might still be haunting their attractiveness; I don’t believe this is the case anymore, however.

 

[gbroadbridge]

H. malu seems a lot less popular than many other anemones, despite some being very attractive and maybe less prone to shipping infections than some species.

Aside from not being a natural host for anything except Clarkii clownfish, what are the drawbacks making them seemingly less popular?

Here's one currently available from Pacific east, and it seems quite attractive.

https://pacificeastaquaculture.com/collections/anemone/products/fringed-heteractis-malu

I've never actually seen one at any of my LFS.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the input folks. :)

 

[Dragen Fiend]

I mean cost seems fine, considering the size. I personally don't find it very attractive compared to others. That and the fact that many LFS don't have them means less people know about them.

 

[yanni]

I find them incredibly attractive. Once you add them, hardly move, not very aggressive, and beautiful colours. They just tend to grow fairly quick if fed, but if you don’t feed them, nice slow growers. This has been progress of mine over 2/3 months?

 

[Miami Reef]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

What do you think of haddoni anemones? Have you considered one? Why or why not?

 

[BeanAnimal]

Waiting for more responses, I know absolutely nothing about them but am very interested to hear first hand information other than what I can google.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

What do you think of haddoni anemones? Have you considered one? Why or why not?

I tried a red one years ago, and it didn’t make it. That was before I was aware of antibiotic treatments. It might have made it had I tried.

They are more fish eaters than most other anemones and that has me holding back on recommending them over gigantea or magnifica.

 

[Miami Reef]

I tried a red one years ago, and it didn’t make it. That was before I was aware of antibiotic treatments. It might have made it had I tried.

They are more fish eaters than most other anemones and that has me holding back on recommending them over gigantea or magnifica.

One ate my foxface fish. That was years ago.

They also don’t have flowy tentacles, which you really like.

I was just curious on your reasons. I think the magnifica might be your favorite. Having an anemone that flows and can host ocellaris clownfish seem to be big priorities of yours.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I was just curious on your reasons. I think the magnifica might be your favorite. Having an anemone that flows and can host ocellaris clownfish seem to be big priorities of yours.

They are and that is the plan. :)

 

[OrionN]

I think H. malu are very beautiful anemone. My Percula and Ocellaris always go into a Malu. They are not prone to wander and not anywhere near as demanding as other host anemones. This is one of only three host anemones that have been sexually reproduced in captivity. The other two are E. quadricolor and S. gigantea. The females of all three species take in sperms, had internal fertilization and release fully formed babies.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks. :)

 

[PacificEastAquaculture Verified Sponsor]

Also occasionally get these malu

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Very nice. Thanks. :)

 

[garygb]

Also occasionally get these malu

That's not a H. crispa?

 

[BryanM]

That nem is gorgeous! And i was no thinking $159 was a high price either.

 

[OrionN]

That's not a H. crispa?

I agree with Gary that this anemone is most likely a Crispa. Too many tentacles to be a Malu

 

[Hot2na]

It is a crispa .. I actually bought that one and have it in a tank now..has grown huge ...I also have a purple malu I got from PEA right around the same time.. It has shorter tentacles as noted above..when i get time I'll post pics of both ..