Hitch Hiker ID  9/18/09 Hi all, I find myself yet again relying on the expertise of you guys for an ID. This was found as a hitch hiker on some LR, it appears to be some sort of anemone but I am not sure. <Agreed> My best guess was either a waratah anemone, (although I am skeptical of that because it's a cold water species). Or possibly a Cladactella manni, Hawaiian Maroon Anemone or Manns Anemone as I have found many different names for this species. Well that is my best guess but as always I rely on the pros to positively identify this. Heck it may not even be an anemone at all, Lol. Thanks in advance. Joe Brillon <I do think you may have a Cladactella manni. Bob Fenner>

Mann's / Hawaiian Maroon Anemone – 06/11/07
I'm looking for some information (light, feeding, flow etc.) requirements on the Mann's or Hawaiian Maroon anemone (seems to be different than a maroon anemone).
<Mmm: Cladactella manni (Verrill, 1899)...>
These are one of the only Anemones found here in Hawaii
<And rare there... I have never encountered one... having dived the islands hundreds of times.>
and I would like to keep one. The LFS that sells them says that they need turbulent water flow, but not intense lighting. Not too much info. out there, can you help? Thanks in advance, your site is a blessing to the hobby.
Gary
<I am also "in the dark" re this species care... From what little I see on the Net, this species is not easily kept... Please read this one favored account: http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/invertebrateincare/l/blpickhianemone.htm
And do write back with your experiences re this Actiniid. Bob Fenner>

Re: Mann's / Hawaiian Maroon Anemone   – 06/19/07
Well unfortunately this anemone has died! Much like the about.com article mine just slowly shriveled up and began to disintegrate.
<Mmmm, yes>
He slowly started turning soft & his tentacles began to lose their "stickiness". He moved around initially but quickly settled into a spot that he seemed to like. I tried to target feed him some brine after several days of acclimation, but the ones that stuck to his tentacles weren't brought to his mouth and were quickly nabbed by other inhabitants.
System details: I have a 55 gallon system with a live DSB of about 5" and approx. 50.lbs of Molokai Live Rock (www.Hawaiiliverock.com).
<Neat!>
Water quality was excellent with no detectable ammonia, nitrites and/or nitrates. Water flow/filtration is provided by 2 Magnum 350's in each rear corner (only 1 of which is used for carbon, the other is strictly for flow with no media), a larger CA1000 powerhead and an AquaC Remora skimmer. I concur with the about.com article in saying that this particular anemone is probably not suitable for the aquarium (or if it is, its specific needs have yet to be identified).
<We are in agreement here. BTW, likely your message prompted my writing pc.s on the large anemone species used in the trade/hobby... Did Heteractis crispa... Am onto Entacmaea...>
The anemone is collected near over by the Blowhole in the intertidal zone where it receives a lot of turbulent water flow and highly oxygenated water that would be difficult at best to reproduce in the aquarium (I have never seen them while diving either, even at Lanai lookout or the Blowhole dive sites). The funny thing was the anemone's color never really changed and it was pretty difficult to tell that it wasn't doing well, but slowly open wounds began to appear and some of my cleaner crew began trying to feed on these wounds.
I am hoping that my experience combined with the experience documented on about.com will discourage the future purchase and collection of this anemone. Thanks for all that you do for our hobby!
Many Mahalos.
Gary
<Thank you my friend. A hu'i hou! Bob Fenner>