My Experiences With Keeping The Magnificent Anemone Heteractis magnifica

[Nami]

Atoll, great hypothesis on the daylight spectrum being preferred by your magnifica.

I have a similar issue with my gig anemone when I first got it - kept moving despite me positioning it under different locations with good lighting and flow.

Finally, I realized that he like to go into rock crevices - so I ended up putting his foot into a short pvc pipe and he stayed put ever since a year ago.

Basically for this gig anemone of mine, it prioritize its foot placement over light and flow.

 

[ca1ore]

My current mag, not the most colorful, is starting to get a bit big (almost 18"). No signs of any splitting yet.

 

[Victoria M]

My current mag, not the most colorful, is starting to get a bit big (almost 18"). No signs of any splitting yet.

Wow! That is gorgeous! I should have known you would have experience with these critters. I am contemplating keeping one instead of a BTA. I am doing a little reading up on them at present. I read that they are the natural host of percula clowns. And that they are less likely to eat other fish. True?

 

[ca1ore]

Not a fish eater like the carpets. Mags not easy to acclimate though.

 

[ca1ore]

Appears that my mag may be splitting .... either that or dying. I’ll try to document the process.

 

[atoll]

Appears that my mag may be splitting .... either that or dying. I’ll try to document the process.

Lets hope it's splitting then. Good luck with it.

 

[atoll]

Wow! That is gorgeous! I should have known you would have experience with these critters. I am contemplating keeping one instead of a BTA. I am doing a little reading up on them at present. I read that they are the natural host of percula clowns. And that they are less likely to eat other fish. True?

I keep a lot of small fish and have never lost one to a mag.

 

[ca1ore]

Turns out it was neither - it ate a large fish. What I thought was the beginnings of a split-tear was just fish remains. Fish was not in good shape, so I'd agree that a healthy fish is likely safe.

 

[Victoria M]

Turns out it was neither - it ate a large fish. What I thought was the beginnings of a split-tear was just fish remains. Fish was not in good shape, so I'd agree that a healthy fish is likely safe.

Life in the reef tank?

 

[mta_morrow]

Finally was the lucky one on Divers Den!

9” Magnifica arrives tomorrow!

Rearranged some rock work.

300+ par at 10K, alternating gyres, huge flat rock and it’s the high point and away from all glass.

And a pair of Ocs waiting patiently!

 

[mta_morrow]

Arrived and acclimating.

Foot looks really good

Tentacles are super sticky.

It is already trying to attach to the bottom of the bucket.

I’m moving water to try and keep it from attaching to much.

 

[mta_morrow]

The foot is now spread over 8”.
Tentacles are thickening up.
Still has not inflated, and the mouth is closing slowly.

From what I have read and studied, it appears to be heading in the right direction?

 

[mta_morrow]

Four hours after tank intro, mouth is now tightly closed, inflating nicely, foot pink and spread out.

 

[mta_morrow]

If anyone has any advice, or made any observations, please offer it up!

 

[Mortie31]

If anyone has any advice, or made any observations, please offer it up!

It’s looking good, just leave it be, the foot is spreading out nicely and there seems to be plenty of good random flow

 

[mta_morrow]

It’s looking good, just leave it be, the foot is spreading out nicely and there seems to be plenty of good random flow

Thanks @Mortie31

 

[DraggingTail]

Had this a couple weeks now

 

[Wildblue4]

Looking for advice. Gig has been helping. I have SB Reef LEDs. 363 watt and also a 36” VHO blue bulb that runs 4 hours during mid day. I have my Blues at 60% and Whites at 45%. I have posted my story on my Mag on this site. A recap my Mag set in place for about 6 months then moved in the middle of the night. He got some of his tentacles in a power head. Since then he stays stuck to the glass at the top of the tank. Moved very little. Should I increase my light spectrum with more White or Less Blue. Maybe more Blue! Was hoping he would move back down to my rock. Anyway not sure what I should do if anything.

 

[ca1ore]

Mag will find the high ground ….. always. If their tentacles can touch something higher they will try to move to it. Key is to not let them. Build a pedestal high enough that they get high light and chaotic flow and the only way off is to go down - which they almost always will not do. They can release and float but that is unusual (I only had this happen once, and it did not end well). Looks to me like that one has outgrown the tank.

 

[Wildblue4]

It’s a 120 but I’m building a 250 and will transfer him over when it’s done if I can get him to release from the glass. Lol.