New mertens

[386reeftrader]

Picked up this Mertensii. Chilling in the main tank for now and then moving to its own display where it can have the space and optimal conditions to show itself.

 

[Overboard]

Nice! Good luck with it!

 

[386reeftrader]

can already tell the Mertens will need a new home very soon. Opening more each day probably close to 16” specimen and it’s just getting settled in

 

[dieselkeeper]

Looks healthy. What size tank are you planning on getting for it?

 

[386reeftrader]

Looks healthy. What size tank are you planning on getting for it?

Haven't quite decided that yet. Probably going into a 100gal peninsula style tank I already have laying around, but I'd like to do 100 gallon cube and make it the center focus. Mertens known to get 2-3ft across so taking that into consideration.

 

[D-Nak]

can already tell the Mertens will need a new home very soon. Opening more each day probably close to 16” specimen and it’s just getting settled in

Based on this photo alone, I predict that it'll get a lot bigger. A LOT. It's still not fully expanded--even the tentacles may get a bit longer. With mertensii, the oral disc tends to lay more flat if given the space (it'll still have some folds, but usually on the outer edges) so I'm guessing that it's only at about 3/4 of its actual size.

 

[386reeftrader]

Based on this photo alone, I predict that it'll get a lot bigger. A LOT. It's still not fully expanded--even the tentacles may get a bit longer. With mertensii, the oral disc tends to lay more flat if given the space (it'll still have some folds, but usually on the outer edges) so I'm guessing that it's only at about 3/4 of its actual size.

Agreed, it seems to be stretching further each day. If it had adequate space I think it would be 2ft across in a few weeks time. Probably was around that size or bigger when collected.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What is its color in white light?

 

[386reeftrader]

What is its color in white light?

It’s a purplish base with gold tips on each tent

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It’s a purplish base with gold tips on each tent

Thanks. :)

 

[386reeftrader]

Nem is doing good. Don’t think this one will have any issue with infection. It’s almost wrapped itself 360 around the rock it’s on. New tank ready in a few weeks can’t wait to gibe it a better location

 

[386reeftrader]

Reaching from the sand bed to about 7-8” beneath the surface of my standard 180 dislpay and still has folds. I’ve kept many nems Gigs, Haddoni, Mags etc this one is peaking my interest. It’s crazy reactive, moves and changes shapes rapidly and gaining some cool multi tone colors. It’s positioned in a low flow spot I think once I can get more light/flow it will get better tent extension and coloration

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Glad to see it is still doing great!

 

[386reeftrader]

Glad to see it is still doing great!

Yes, it seems very healthy. I was fortunate I was able to pick it up direct from the importer a few days after it came in from Indo.

 

[D-Nak]

Yes, it seems very healthy. I was fortunate I was able to pick it up direct from the importer a few days after it came in from Indo.

I think this is they key to most anemone success stories--the quicker they're into the hands of capable reefers the better.

 

[386reeftrader]

Mertens in its new home

 

[386reeftrader]

Nothing beats some natural sunlight on the tank. Mertens soaking up some golden hour light

 

[Hot2na]

Just curious - do they stay put or roam around alot like mags ?

 

[386reeftrader]

Just curious - do they stay put or roam around alot like mags ?

This one hasn’t moved off this rock since I got it. It’s moved around the rock in the other tank trying to get more light but never jumped ship. Seems happy where it’s at now, time will tell

 

[386reeftrader]

Getting more golden/yellow colors. Also getting some really nice folds since moving into the new tank love it’s shape