purple tip anemone?

[cj_jeeper]

First just wanted to say that this is a great board. Although I have been reading and browsing for quite a while I thought I would join and post a question. I bought a purple tip about a week ago and its kinda acting funny. It closes (shrinks) up all the time. It may be during the day or at night it varies all the time. One hour it will be completely closed like its dying and you look again and its all bright and full. The clown (Yellow stripe maroon) is always with it. The tank (75g) is about 2 1/2 to 3 years old. The parameters look good and I have 100+ lbs live rock and crushed coral/sand on the bottom. The lights may be marginal, I have 4 - 55 watt 10K pc and 2 - 55 watt 03's. The 10K come on around 10 am and go off around 6:30 or so. I also have a coral beauty, snails, crabs and a nice conch. Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi CJ, welcome to RDO. As for the anemone it woudl help greatly to figure out what kind you have before you get specific advice. You may have a condylactis - an Atlantic species very common and not a host in nature but clowns will take to it in captivity. Condys are fairly hardy but I would err on the side of more light and regular once a week feedings to keep it healthy. Also you may have a Sebae anemone which also have purple tips and should not be kept under anything but halides in captivity IMO. Also possible you have some kind of long tentacle or bubble tip too - if you can snap a pic that would help.


As for the root of your question normal expansion and contraction at break of day nightfall happens in many anemones and nothing to worry about unless it stays closed for a prolonged period of time. Anemones are fickle and demanding creatures unfortuantely and as I have been in this hobby a while I feel many species should just be left in the ocean as they rarely have their needs met in captivity.

 

[cj_jeeper]

Thanks for the reply. I believe its a Haitian (Condy??). It has an orange base and looks just like the condy. I'm not for sure if this is one of the same or not. The clown seems to love it which surprised me because from reading, I thought they wouldn't have a relationship with the condy's. Anyway thanks for your insight.