How To Choose Carpet Anemones

Carpet anemones which, unfortunately, are all to often are categorized as a plant or flower but are actually animals similar to Corals, Sponges, Tunicates, solitary and colonial polyps such as zoanthids and mushrooms. There are three species of Carpet Anemones available in the genus Stichodactlya, though only two species remain constant in the hobby. Gigantea, Haddoni and Mertensii represent these beautiful, large and attractive Carpet Anemones though the Merten's is seldom seen due to its location in deeper water attached to rocks and subsequent less frequent findings.

Before delving into the world of the Carpet Anemone, it should be stated and instilled into the memory bank of anyone desiring to purchase one of these beauties, that they are neither easy to maintain nor make an ideal candidate for a "garden" reef style biotope aquarium! The fact that Carpet's grow increasing large(1 meter in diameter), come with a potent sting with numerous nematocysts and remain constantly in motion seeking an ideal location with which to call home. In the process of doing this, anything they come in contact, they will injure or kill taking no prisoners-they are not fussy and will harm fish, coral or invertebrate alike with no preference.

Of the three species of Stichodactyla Anemones, the Haddoni represents the best suited for a marine aquarium. The Gigantea species is harder to maintain, requires more intense light and tends to be less hardy in a closed system marine aquarium. It requires a deep sand bed with which to conceal its central column. The Gigantea anemone has longer tentacles, is not as aggressive as its cousins and requires more intense lighting since it hails from shallow intertidal sand bed biotopes in the wild. Coloration of the Gigantea can vary from tan, to green red, blue or purple.

Haddoni Carpets reside in the outskirts of reef areas. They are identified by their short stubby tentacles, verrucae(sticky, Velcro like bumps that make up part of its thick pedal disc and thick central column. It is more sticky than its counterparts and is very potent so care must be taken when handling this animal. It requires a deep sand bed of at least 4 inches or more with which to suspend its central column and offer retreat since it can totally submerse itself under the sand bed. It also comes in various colors like the Gigantea Anemone. It is a voracious eater so feeding it once or twice a week is pertinent for the success and growth of this anemone. It is the easiest of the three Carpet Anemones to maintain in an aquarium, however, do not let your guard down and decide to take the plunge and run out and purchase one of these beauties without doing your homework and really take the time weighing out the pros and cons of this animal.

The Merten's Anemone again is rare in nature and the saltwater hobby in general. They have a short central column which, often times, is not visible as it hugs the rock it is attached to. It has short tentacles like the Haddoni Carpet and verrucae to aid in its attachment to its surroundings. It comes in similar colors as the other two species of Carpet Anemone however it can also come in a white color morph that is not representative of the usual illustration of a bleaching pattern.

Carpet Anemone success all starts with the proper selection of a healthy specimen. Making sure that the anemone is healthy with no tissue issues foot ailments and gaping mouth will increase the percentages of the anemone getting a good start at least initially. From there it will be up to you to provide the necessary care to ensure the anemone has the best possible success. Lighting, ideal water parameters, water flow and filtration will need to be addressed as well.

If you decide that you are definitely in need of an anemone you may be better off to go with an easier species of anemone such as a Bubble-Tip, Flower, Long Tentacle or Haitian anemone. The symbiotic relationship that can be achieved through incorporating a Clownfish to the mix can add to the beauty and enjoyment of a marine aquarium.

Which ever road you choose, the best chance of success is to plan accordingly, take into consideration husbandry and compatibility requirements of the anemone, ensuring you have efficient filtration, ideal lighting and water flow and optimal water parameters, not to mention fish that don't have a fondness of consuming anemones.