Continued from page 2I have also been successful in getting such anemones to regenerate a tube by inserting the end into a deeper layer of sand. Gradually as the new tube is built, it emerges from the sand. The tube does appear to grow near the surface and as it becomes longer, the Cerianthid moves it upwards a little. This is a far lengthier process but can result in success.
At one point up to actually recently it was believed that Cerianthid anemones would regenerate their tubes only if they were buried in rather coarse gravel. This is not the case in my personal experience. The substrate can be sandy but not real fine. The animal appears to pick up other debris that floats around and incorporates it into the new tube.
Lack of food would, more than likely, lead to the anemone's shrinking. This does not occur immediately and is sort of noteworthy as it will happen after a period of really large and wide extension of the anemone, this in an attempt to trap more food (not an uncommon behavior in corals).
When the food supply for filter feeders, for instance, is low they will extend themselves much more in an attempt to catch or trap food from a larger area. In nutrient poor areas of the reef the same happens of course, and most such areas may go through such phases (here nutrient poor is meant as food poor).
The behavior of these anemones is indeed odd at times. However, when placed in the tank in the manner that it is accustomed to on a reef Cerianthids will give you little trouble. This means burying them completely in the sand (the tube that is).
Cerianthid anemones are very colorful. I have seem varieties with pinks and purples, whites and orange. Individual specimens have not been much classified or given specific names but you will encounter, for instance: Cerianthus borealis, C. lloydii, C. membranaceus. There are, however, many individual types that have not been named. To complicate the issue somewhat, a very closely related tube anemone Paracerianthus is found in tropical waters as well.
In nature the protective tube is buried in the sand or in similar substrate, and only the crown and the rows of tentacles are visible, especially at night (this is a night feeder for most part).
The anemone's tube acts as a protection against whatever animalcules may attempt to reach the foot of the anemone that is buried. It can be considered a sort of barrier between itself and the mud or sand and whatever lives in there that may try to reach the Cerianthid.
In aquariums the anemone is, more than often not, either buried in the sand by hobbyists, or placed in a large crevice in a rock, or between several rocks. Although the latter method is not the best manner in which to position Cerianthid anemones, in most cases one can do so. Care needs to be taken that the back end, or bottom, of the tube is protected from attacks by worms and other crawling animals.
As indicated, harassment by such animals is often the reason why the anemone will leave its protective tube. Since reinserting it, or waiting for the Cerianthid anemone to rebuild a new tube is not the most pleasant experience you can go through, I strongly suggest that hobbyists pay attention to this fact. Ridding the aquarium of bristle worms is a step in the right direction.
At times, in nature, bristle worms can be seen by the dozens on these anemones' tubes. Unfortunately such animals usually do not survive these attacks. If they do, repeated ones are invariably fatal.
| Top | Next |
 NetPets® Main Page |  The Fish Center |