Maxi mini nem questions

[SaltyDawg]

I found someone who has a few maxis for sale. He says that they dont bother other corals and are easy to care for. He'll give them to me for $30 each. Does the price sound right? He says that they go fast but he could hold a couple till next weekend. I told him I was broke till next week but really I wanted time to dig up some info on these guys first. Anyone have any experience with them?

[CarmieJo]

I think that is a pretty fair price. I haven't kept one so IDK a whole lot about them.

[Amphibious]

I've never heard the term Maxi Mini Anemone. It seems a contradiction, maxi and mini, should be one or the other.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa152/Amphibious_2007/Anemones/P7120027.jpg

Are they like this?

[SaltyDawg]

They look just like a mini but get to a size of 4 to 5 inches full grown. Here is a pic I found online.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/maxi20mini_LRG.jpg
From what I understand minis only get to a size of about 2 inches. Or am I being fed a bunch of misinformation.

[CarmieJo]

Dick, I think that they are mini carpet anemones. I believe that they are available in 2 sizes

[Phurst]

I had several mini carpets in my 55 zoa/anemone tank. They're pretty easy to care for, and didn't move around too much. They never came in contact with anything that I can remember, but seeing as they're carpet anemones, I would expect them to kill just about anything they touch. That's definitely a good price, I'd like to find a couple around here for $30.

[SaltyDawg]

Well here it is. The color selection wasn't what I hoped for but I'm still pretty happy. I also picked up an acan with 10 heads for the same price as the nem. Really pretty so I couldn't resist. I don't know much about acans so I guess I know what I'm doing tonight.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT1338.jpg
And the acan
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT1326.jpg

[Amphibious]

They’re kind of cute. One of my wholesalers reported today they had them coming in and they are from Vietnam. Yours is the first I’ve seen.

Nice Acan.

[SaltyDawg]

Thanks. He's had the nems for a while now, I have no idea where he got them. It's kind of crazy but I went to high school with this guy and haven't seen him in 20 years. Small world.
The nem is now on the move. Hope it dosen't head for the back where I won't see it. The acans are puffing up nicely. I'll take more pics when they are in their full glory. New stuff is so exciting.

[CarmieJo]

They are both pretty. I feed my acans fish mush.

[SaltyDawg]

Today I had to do a little rearranging. The nem decided to park itself on the orange zoas and touch the frogspawn. It started to move about an hour after it went in. It only went a couple inches but was enough to bother the neighbors. Hasn't moved at all today. I was going to try feeding it later but dont know if I should give it a few days to settle in first. Any thoughts?

[Amphibious]

Either way feed it a small piece of whatever to see if it will not only take it but keep it in. Anemones need very little supplemental feeding.

[Rostr02]

Love both of your new additions, congrats they look awesome

[saltaddict]

Beautiful acan and nem. The nem is very interesting. I would like to see a pic of it when it settles. Good price too.

Rhonda

[SaltyDawg]

Last night I fed the nem some of the fish mush and was really surprised how fast the reaction time was. In about 30 seconds he folded up on himself. Stayed that way for 5 minutes or so and layed flat again with no food on him. I watched him for 15 minutes or so to see if it would spit it out but didn't see anything. I took a few pics through the feeding. The wife called me a dork. This is what the first 30 seconds looked like.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT1500-Copy.jpg
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT1512-Copy.jpg
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT1515-Copy.jpg
In the last pic you can see his foot burried in a hole in the rock. Large carpets like to bury it in the sand but I cant find any info on where to place mini's. It hasn't moved in 1 1/2 days so I'm thinking maybe he's comfy.
I also fed the acan the mush and I'm glad they close up as fast as they do because I have a tank full of thieves that tried to rob it.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT1514.jpg
The shrimp tried touching the nem once and hasn't gone anywhere near it since...lol

[Phurst]

Mine always hung out on the rock.

[SaltyDawg]

Phurst you seem to be the only one who has kept these guys before. So can I pick your brain a little? Should I pick up a certian food for this guy? I buy frozen cubes that has brine,mysis,krill and a few other things in it. Is that cool to give him? I was planning on doing a weekly feeding, to much or to little? Also, when I upgrade I want something like a yellow watchman. Since the nem will only get to 5 or 6 inches when full grown will it have the capability to catch and kill other tankmates? I kinda jumped in over my head when I got this guy not knowing much about them. And there isn't a lot of good info out there that I can find. Your advise will be greatly appreciated.
I moved the rock that he calls home so I could get some better pics. By far my favorite critter. I apologize for bombarding you all with the latest pics but I can't help myself.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT1584.jpg

[saltaddict]

The nem is beautiful SaltyDawg! Love the pics - keep them coming.

You have some good size bristle worms going on.

[Rostr02]

They are some beautiful little anemones.

[Phurst]

I fed mine mysis, but it would regularly catch whatever i happened to be feeding the tank, including pellet and flake. i eventualy stopped target feeding them because they did a fine job fending for themselves. I would expect if a fish were to bump into it, it would kill it and try to eat it, but i don't think I'd worry about a YWG, since they spend most of their time down on the bottom.

[Doreen]

That is an awesome looking mini nem, if that is what it is called. I never see anything like that up here in any of the LFS. I want one... what is its actual name. Can I keep one in a tank with a ritteri (H. magnifica)??

[Phurst]

Just like mixing any 2 dissimilar anemones, you run the risk or chemical or physical warfare if they get too close.

[SaltyDawg]

I believe the name is Stichodactyla Tapetum.

[SaltyDawg]

I was worried about the nem moving into other critters....ha...check this out. One of my turbos decided to climb onto the nem. The nem tried to close up on the snail then I stepped in. Dont know what would have happened if I didn't stop it but weren't gonna find out.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT1815.jpg
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT1831.jpg

[CarmieJo]

That snail isn't too bright! Next time you might not be around to rescue it!

[SaltyDawg]

Just got a good pic of my nem. When it's spread out it's about as big around as a 1 liter soda bottle.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT2053-Copy.jpg
And another one
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT2212.jpg

[CarmieJo]

It is really beautiful!

[Phurst]

Very, very nice. Once it has split a few times, let me know if you'd consider selling a clone.

[rayme07]

Beautiful Anemone!! :thumbs:

[SaltyDawg]

I've searched a lot of forums looking for reproductive info on these guys and see a bunch of different things. Some say a certian feeding schedule makes them split, some say maxi's never split, some say take them out of the tank and cut them in half and give them an iodine dip for 5 minutes and throw them back in the tank. Whats your input on this. The guy I got mine from cuts them in half. I emailed him the other day to see if he has any more and he said not for a couple weeks till they heal up and there is only a few for sale. I would like another one and there is no way I'm cutting it in half.
I've never shipped a coral before so I'd have to look into it. But if it ever does split I'll give you first dibs on it. Maybe we could work out a trade or something.

[Phurst]

Mine split occasionally, though I know people do cut them up, like mushrooms and rics with no apparent harm.

[mpcolson]

Foster & Smith Liveaquaria have these mini Anemones in their "Diver's Den" Section selling at $39.99.

That doesn't include your shipping fees. So you got a good price on the critter.

I went looking to get some information on your nem but the descriptions in the "Diver's Den" assume you know what you want and are of no help.

But if you want to take a peek for giggles here's the link.

Live Aquaria Diver's Den (http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+4&ddid=86156)

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4922

[Amphibious]

How timely, an article on the Mini Carpet Anemone is in Coral magazine written by my friend Morgan Mok. Morgan supplied this photo along with several others in the article. Morgan along with her husband Johnny operate an aquaculture business in Miami, FL - reefgardners.com.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa152/Amphibious_2007/Anemones/MiniCarpetBluegreen.jpg
Phot by Morgan Mok.

Here’s the link.

Coral Magazine on line (http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/mini-carpets-perfect-small-sea-anemones)

If your not receiving the on-line version of Coral Mag, sign up for it at that link, it’s free.

Dick

[Phurst]

Wow, those are some fantastic pictures!

[SaltyDawg]

I'm searching high and low to find a red or orange one locally so I don't have to pay shipping. But I will have another one in the near future. I'm absolutely fascinated with them. Never seen a blue one like that before...really pretty. Thanks for the link Dick. I will be signing up.

[mpcolson]

I ran across this Ebay Classified ad while surfing today. It might be worth looking into.

http://orangecounty.ebayclassifieds.com/m/ViewLargeImage?adid=4125203&index=0

He's asking $50.00 for this one...

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4923

[SaltyDawg]

Shipping would be expensive. But thanks for making me drool lol. I'm gonna check local for a couple weeks and see what I can find. But I gotta feeling if I'm going to get what I want I'm going to pay an arm and a leg for it.

[mpcolson]

Drool on this.... :lol:

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4924

Purple Martini Mini $200.00 (http://www.atlantisaquarium.net/inv054.html)... These critters do get expensive!!! But WOW! They are eye-catching!

[Amphibious]

Well, let me clue everyone in on these mini anemones. I get several e-mails a week from importers and these new hot items are beginning to appear from several sources. All, regardless of coloration are priced the same. While I won’t reveal my cost, they should retail in the area of $40 to $60 dollars regardless of coloration.

The web site you linked to also has an RBTA “hand picked” for $120. Matt, I’m “hand picking” one for you at what price?

Beware of high pricing for new hot items.

My 2 cents worth.

[mpcolson]

I just surfed that EGG PLANT up last night.

I haven't got my big boy pants on well enough to every pay $200 for anything that goes in my tank yet. Unless it comes with a warranty and packing peanuts!. My skimmer and UV where around that price. But I can't afford to risk it on an exotic animal yet, I don't think my skill set is that high.

I know there are very wide gaps in pricing on everything from cardinal fish to anemones. It does pay to be diligent and not hop on the first train outta town so to speak.

What is it that CarmieJo says.."Only disasters happen Quickly". Thats a good rule when shopping as well as reefbuilding.

[SaltyDawg]

Glad I only paid $30 for mine. The guy I got it from splits them in half a couple times a year so they aren't always available and they go fast. He doesnt have to charge outrageous prices for them cause the are clones. He is hosting a frag swap in november and invited me to come. Says there are people coming who have what I'm looking for so I can wait a while. I'd rather spend $50 locally than 100+ with shipping and no live arrival guarentee. Dick, are you going to be getting any of these cute little nems?

[Amphibious]

Yes, in the future.

[SaltyDawg]

OK I've had my first problem with my nem. When I went to feed everybody the other day I started with the nem. One of the clowns shot in for an easy meal and got stuck for a second. Today when I looked in I saw the clown has a few black dots on his side. Are these stings from the nem? I know mini nems dont host clowns but I thought they had a resistance to nem stings. I tried to get pics but do you think a clown will hold still when you want it to...lol. The lights are out now but will try to get a pic tomorrow.

[Amphibious]

but I thought they had a resistance to nem stings

Ahhhh, that would be only anemones they have an immunity to. Some clowns seem able to go into certain types of anemones with little perpetration. Other times it takes days or longer. Now that you know the Mini has a bite to it, I’d suggest you feed the fish first because they have a brain and you’ve conditioned them to come for food. Fill them up and then feed the anemone.

My guess is the marks are tiny little microscopes spears called, nematocysts. OUCH!

[SaltyDawg]

I just got around to taking pics of the clown. They're fading a little but look like they are getting larger too.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/PICT2649.jpg

[mpcolson]

You might try Clearasil...j/k!

[Phurst]

That looks like a pretty normal reaction to being stung. I've seen the same on clowns who decide to host in things like zoas and hammer corals. Doesn't seem to bother the clowns a bit, and they do fade eventually.

[CarmieJo]

My maroon used to get white " drops of milk" looking spots that I think were from being stung. I never did figure out what made them, it hosted the BTA about 5 minutes after the anemone went in the tank and the spots didn't start until after I already had the BTA. I haven't seen them on it for a long time though.

[SaltyDawg]

Here is an update for ya. My nem is a murderer. Came home from work today to find a clown stuck to it. Don't know how long it was there (they were fine this morning) but it looked like it suffered bad. When i saw this the nem was wide open with the clown on it and the mouth of the nem was puffed out. Like the nem couldn't eat it and gave up. It took a lot of poking and proding to get the clown off and it was stung bad. I knew that these nems didn't host but figured since they were so small that they weren't lethal to the clowns and could get away if caught...guess what...
I've been battling cyano (for those of you who haven't had this joy yet....it's a part time job in itself) for about a month and then this happens. I want to throw in the towel and start over. Sorry for the rant....I'm just bummed out and angry. Those clowns are my little silent buddies. Anyone who has them and sees how they act at feedind time knows what I mean.

[CarmieJo]

That is terrible.

[SaltyDawg]

I got a couple more nems in my tank. For the first time ever I saw them at petco. $24.99 each. I asked for 2 specific ones and when I got home and looked in the bag I noticed that there are 3...bonus. 2 of them were stuck foot to foot. I just took some pics even though they aren't real happy right now. But I'm excited and had to post some pics. I'll take more later when they really open up.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/IMAG0607.jpg
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/IMAG0623.jpg
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/IMAG0606.jpg
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/IMAG0618.jpg

[SaltyDawg]

Came home from work today and the nems were all open. Here is some new pics. I love these things. I just hope the clown stays away.
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/IMAG0736.jpg
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/IMAG0724.jpg
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/IMAG0732.jpg
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/IMAG0722.jpg
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss237/SaltyDawg_2009/IMAG0738.jpg

[CarmieJo]

Those are really pretty!

[SaltyDawg]

I was about to feed the nems a silverside treat and decided to video them. Not the most exciting thing to watch but still neat to see. You wouldnt think these guys could move very fast but they can as you'll see in the second vid. I think I scared the crap out of it or something...lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tznDek_2Y80


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2hNlBPjKZI

[CarmieJo]

Cool! The second is what I expected. Your tank is looking beautiful!

[SaltyDawg]

Thanks Carmie. I think I'm going to give my clown to a friend of mine and be fishless for a little while. I saw what happened with 2 clowns and 1 nem...now there's 1 clown and 4 nems. He's swimming through a mine field and it's only a matter of time. Just gotta figure out how to catch him without chasing him into a nem

[CarmieJo]

Every time I look at your nems I want to get some to add to my tanks!

[SaltyDawg]

A cool little update. I saw one of the nems acting strange a week or so ago. It was unusually puffy at the base, then it exploded like a volcano. After a 5 second spurt it released a steady small stream of "smoke" for about 1/2 hour then it ended with another blast. After it started, I ran for the camera. Turned it on and had 1 bar left on the battery. So I got this vid before it died. Do you think it was just expelling waste or trying to make little nems? Clouded the tank up so bad you couldn't look in one side and see the other. Skimmer went nuts for a while.
http://youtu.be/eaSDWk9hpSY

[SaltyDawg]

Why cant I get a video up there? Tried every share or embed option and all I can do is put a link.

[V]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaSDWk9hpSY

Work ok for me!

[V]

Share option on the tube displaying the link, Film strip icon on TR, paste, and your gravy.
This is what your doing?

[SaltyDawg]

I was going to share on you tube and copy in message box where I'm typing. I'll try the insert video icon next time. Never done it that way before. But other than technical difficultys.... what would you say my nem is doing. Good to see you around the boards again. Been pretty quiet around here lately.

[V]

To be honest I didn't even watch it, was in the middle of prepping lunch for pending guests, and we have an auction across the way, so was kinda paying attention to that also. Hey - lest im honest!

Yeah im floating bout the place now, so we should see a resurgence:tongue2:.
I think its been a strange time the last 2yrs, people being pulled in every direction other than the right one.


Ok, so whilst i was crapping on, I watched your vid.
Geeze, which I could spawn for that long..lol
Ive not kept this species, however to me, it didn't display anything alarming.

[Mostly Rock]

I have no real perspective other than seeing brown stringy goo from a coral and an RBTA when they expelled waste, but I'd like to think it was spawning.

[SaltyDawg]

Your upside-down honesty is missed around here lol. When I told the misses about the event...well just imagine..lol.

[SaltyDawg]

I've seen the stringy stuff and stuff that looks like a wad of clear flesh come back out of them but nothing like this.

[V]

It looks to be a classical milking, aka spawn, nothing more. clear or semi solid mucus is exactly that, most prob undigested food or a mucus layer pealing off due to an irritation.
Your animal to me looks fine.

[CarmieJo]

Yep, that looks like spawning to me! I don't think you'll get a tankfull of little nems but if you do you can send one my way. :)

[SaltyDawg]

Funny you should mention extra nems. I've decided I want to split one (just haven't grown the cherries to do it yet, but will). If I'm sucessful, and you're good this year, maybe Santa can send you an early Christmas present. I have a new camera that takes a good video but it doesn't have a built in microphone.. how cheesy is that! But I'll film the cutting anyway. While I'm at it I want to cut a couple pieces off my green tree. That thing has grown a lot! I got the itch to frag something. It's been 2+ years since I started this hobby and darn it I want to cut something up...lol.

[V]

But then if you had sound, we wouldn't have the pleasure of hearing a sound track, and further more watch youtube strip it in 2 weeks to send us back to the silent stone-ages.

[CarmieJo]

Funny you should mention extra nems. I've decided I want to split one (just haven't grown the cherries to do it yet, but will). If I'm sucessful, and you're good this year, maybe Santa can send you an early Christmas present. I have a new camera that takes a good video but it doesn't have a built in microphone.. how cheesy is that! But I'll film the cutting anyway. While I'm at it I want to cut a couple pieces off my green tree. That thing has grown a lot! I got the itch to frag something. It's been 2+ years since I started this hobby and darn it I want to cut something up...lol.

LOL, the next step from cutting stuff up is gluing animals to rocks! Do you cut the nems like a mushroom? A video would be great! I'll be very good. :D

[SaltyDawg]

I have a friend who has been cutting his nems for years. He says to split them in half. The most important thing is to try to cut the mouth into equal parts. Then they get an iodine dip for 5 minutes and go back into the tank. His nem tank has crushed coral and no rock in it so he can just scoop whichever one he wants at anytime. Mine are attached to 3 pound rocks so I got to figure out how I'm going to get them out with the least amount of stress. I'm a little worried about tearing the foot. Another thing I'm wondering is after I get one cut and back into the tank, will my bristleworms pick it to death. Once I figure these thing out, I'll bring out the knife.

[V]

Thats the question. Although with alittle coaxing anything is possible.
Anems are quite hardy, you get to stay alive as a species all this time without being adaptable. Although cut me in half and I dont think id be regrowing any time soon.

On your travels, post up your findings on whats the latest. I've been out of the game for far too long.

[Mostly Rock]

I've gotten mine to detach a couple of times. When I had to take rock out of the tank, and she was attached to two of them... I got a little nervous. I just kept touching the very edge of her foot, and she pulled away, and I did that consistently till she let go all together. I had to do it again when she was climbing the glass and started getting her tentacles in my Koralia.

[SaltyDawg]

Thanks. I'll try it. When it was attached to 2 rocks, did you get to detach in or out of the water. Just wondering if it is more easily coaxed one way or the other.

[Mostly Rock]

all of my detachments were in the water.