Mystery Anemone ID?

[LinZ]

This was sold as a "rare warty sea anemone" but I can't figure out what it is. It looks most like a bounce rhodactis mushroom-- it has a "fringe" around the edge but no real tentacles, and around the center has a ring of very large, pronounced "bubbles"-- I tried to capture these in the side view. The foot looks similar to my rock flower anemones, and I believe it was collected in the same place as some rock flower anemones around Florida.

My anemone expert friend thinks it's in the actinodendron genus. It also looks similar-ish to some maxi-minis, but the big "bubbles" really make this unusual and we're both kind of scratching our heads.


It's currently about the size of a silver dollar and in a pico macroalgae tank with some inverts. Only plan for fish is a flaming prawn goby.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

I agree that it looks more like some kind of mushroom than any anemone I've ever seen.

@OrionN maybe can help! Also, @ReefSquad

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I'm also inclined to think it is a mushroom. Do you have photos under blue lights?

 

[LinZ]

I agree that it looks more like some kind of mushroom than any anemone I've ever seen.

@OrionN maybe can help! Also, @ReefSquad

Here are some foot photos of it helps. Definitely an anemone.

 

[LinZ]

I'm also inclined to think it is a mushroom. Do you have photos under blue lights?

I don't have blues yet but will tomorrow. I just set up this pico macro algae tank over the weekend and originally figured I could use a freshwater light but then decided I want blues in the evening for a couple soft coral. The rock is all very mature and the one it's on is from the Gulf, to assuage any concerns about an immature tank.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

Here are some foot photos of it helps. Definitely an anemone.

Oh, yeah, the foot photos definitely help with identification! Still not entirely sure, but those tagged above, I bet, will be able to help!

 

[Troylee]

Yeah I have no idea.. Orion would be your best bet.

 

[Lasse]

I never seen any mushrooms with a foot like that - its an anemone!

Try Actinostella or a similar genus

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Peace River]

It could be a warty anemone. The warty anemones that I have kept in the past had more distinct tentacles, but I know that some can present the way that is shown in your picture. I am not confirming that as a definite ID, but I am saying that it is possible. I would agree that it is some type of anemone. Warty anemones are not the most friendly so I encourage you to do some additional research on their behavior. If you see bright colors from the anemone when it is under blue light, then it is unlikely that it is a warty.

 

[LinZ]

It could be a warty anemone. The warty anemones that I have kept in the past had more distinct tentacles, but I know that some can present the way that is shown in your picture. I am not confirming that as a definite ID, but I am saying that it is possible. I would agree that it is some type of anemone. Warty anemones are not the most friendly so I encourage you to do some additional research on their behavior. If you see bright colors from the anemone when it is under blue light, then it is unlikely that it is a warty.

It does actually have some bright colors under blue lights. Here's a super crappy small photo from the listing, but I'll try to get better ones ASAP.

 

[LinZ]

Trying for another shot with a magnifying glass-- it does appear to have small tentacles surrounding its mouth.

 

[Peace River]

The warty anemones that I have had were a dull greenish brown, even under blue lights. The experience of others may vary.

 

[LinZ]

The warty anemones that I have had were a dull greenish brown, even under blue lights. The experience of others may vary.

It definitely does have some nice colors but was lost in my bucket tank for about a month. I found it under a rock so idk how its zooanthelles are doing now, but visually I can still see quite a bit of color in it even under the white lights.

 

[P-Dub]

Taking a stab at this...

Phymanthus crucifer​

 

[Peace River]

I'm feeling embarrassed right now. I published a lit review on p. crucifer back in 2022.

 

[LinZ]

Maybe it's a juvenile and needs to grow and mature a bit? I will post photos under blues tomorrow.

 

[LinZ]

Nighttime behavior: it closes up a bit into a more tubular shape, and the small tentacles around its mouth are extended upwards.

 

[sjfishguy]

Hells fire anemone

 

[LinZ]

The closest I'm seeing is actinostella flosculifera. What do you think?

 

[LinZ]

I never seen any mushrooms with a foot like that - its an anemone!

Try Actinostella or a similar genus

Sincerely Lasse

I think this might be right!