· Waratah Anemone, Actinia Tenebrosa Options

[Rits]

Scientific Name; Actinia Tenebrosa

Common Name; Waratah Anemone, Strawberry Anemone, *Flower Anemone

* not to be confused with the Caribbean Rock Anemone sometimes called a “Flower” Anemone.

Reef Safe; Reef Safe with Caution.

Tank Mates; See Notes below.

Availability; Limited/Sporadic availability in the US.

Habitat; Shallow Rocky areas and Tide Pools.

Size; 2 inches

Diet; Meaty foods, such as Krill, Silver Sides, Squid, Shrimp.

Care Level; Moderate-Advanced

Range; Southern Australia and New Zealand.

Personal Experience;

I have only had mine for a short period of time so I have a bit limited personal experience with them, I have however done a ton of research on them in addition to. Mine is extremely vibrant color wise, eating well, shows excellent polyp extension and has moved very little since being introduced to the tank all of which normally indicates a “happy” Anemone. The water temperature without a chiller is running between 74 and 76 degrees which is on the outer edges of what’s acceptable.

Since it’s a temperate waters species, I’m of the opinion that that this species is something that’s best left to aquarist with a Moderate to Advance skill level. The other justification for the Moderate to Advanced skill level recommendation is the fact that since its non-photosynthetic it will require constant and regular feedings. Small slivers of Shrimp, cut fish, Silver Sides, small or cut Krill and other Meaty food items are suitable fare. For and added nutritional boost to maintain best health and optimal colors soaking food items in a Vitamin and Amino Acid supplement such as that from SeaChem is highly recommended. Because of its small size, it will dictate tiny slivers of food, 2-4 pieces should be feed about every other day over a 30-45 minute period.

As with all Anemones one will want to be cognitive of all intakes on filters and powerheads. A pre-filter sponge is one of the best forms of blocking these off while still keeping them functional. As with most Anemones, it is a potential threat to small fish and other inverts and corals in the tank. So take this into consideration if you have corals that are not easily movable. Once they have found a spot suitable to their liking they will most likely stay there for the most part and move very little afterwards. This Anemone is also not considered a “Host” Anemone to Clown Fish in the wild or captivity.

This brilliantly colored Anemone derives its name from the “state flower” Watarah, of New South Whales Australia. Hence the name Flower Anemone as its often referred to. Its small size coupled with its vivid colors makes it a natural for the small reef tank. Since it’s a temperate water species it would co-exist well with something fish wise such as the Catalina Goby. There are reports of it reproducing in the home aquarium where ideal conditions can be met. Unlike most Anemones which will split creating a “clone” the Watarah Anemone will brood its off spring inside its oral disc and when fully developed will eject them through its mouth allowing them to settle on rock work near by. There is little other available information on reproduction.


Tank Requirements;

These Anemones hail from temperate waters and should be kept in tanks that are connected to a chiller for optimal chances of survival as it prefers temps in the mid 60’s. There has been a fair amount of success when kept in reef tanks where temps are held at or just below 75 degrees. Due to their diminutive size they are excellent candidates for smaller tanks such as Pico Reefs and Nano Reefs. The other reason for recommending such small enclosures is that Chillers if required are pretty pricey pieces of equipment. For example a chiller that will drop the temperature in a 10 gallon tank 5 to 8 degrees will start at about $300.00 and quickly go up from there! They also require tanks with lots of live rock and rock rubble, often planting their foot in crevices where the rock and rubble meet. Lighting is immaterial as they are not a photo-synthetic invert. The best Biotope for these inverts is one which replicates shallow rocky shore lines or Tide Pools.


Notes;

#1 This Anemone is very sticky and possesses extremely potent Nematocysts. In can cause minor skin irritations in humans (More serious injury for those with allergies and sensitive skin) and will often stun small fish and inverts in the tank. If these Anemones can catch it…it will eat it!

#2 Caution should be exercised if more than one will be kept if taken from separate colonies as they have been known to seek out other individuals in the tank and attack them.

As more info becomes available updates will be added.


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