species discussion: S. gigantea

[hobogato]

reference thread for those thinking about housing this species.

please post anything and everything about your experience with giant carpet anemones. some things you might include:

pics
how big was it when you got it?
how long have you had it?
clownfish that will establish hosting relationship?
what are the specifics for its care in your tank (lighting, flow, placement in tank, special feeding, etc)?
problems to look out for
anything else you can think of

[Pennies2Cents]

Bump for a few new nems out there...

[OrionN]

Gigantea carpets, S. gigantea, are certainly the most challenging to keep of all the host anemones. They are very beautiful, colorful and seem to do OK in community reef tank. I don't think they have the reputation of being a fish eater although this may be due to their rareness rather than not able to catch and eat fish. They are difficult to get healthy and difficult to keep alive. They do well with very bright light and seem to need a lot of random water movement.

Right now I have three Gigantea in my care. A green on that have been in captivity for almost 10 years although I just recently acquired him from a friend. The other two Gigantea’s, a yellow/brown and a purple that was imported 5/1/2012. All are doing well and have grown by leap and bounds since become under my care.

I am putting a system together so that I can keep all three in the same aquarium. It is coming along well. In the mean time, here are some pictures of the three anemones


http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=19005&d=1360103581

http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=19006&d=1360103584

http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=19007&d=1360103587


http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=16817&d=1349802747

[hobogato]

here is mine

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/250/DSC01551_zpseef98cc0.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/250/DSC01545_zpsb11bf92d.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/250/DSC01546_zps7ef58a03.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/250/DSC01549_zpsf0a009df.jpg

how big was it when you got it?

about 12"-15" across, now stretches to about 20" diameter

how long have you had it?

2 months (had been in captivity for about 4 months already)

clownfish that will establish hosting relationship?

hosted by pink skunks in my tank. my percs wanted nothing to do with it.

what are the specifics for its care in your tank (lighting, flow, placement in tank, special feeding, etc)?

sunlight thru solar tubes, supplemental t5 and led lights. 3000 gph closed loop and tunze wave box. feeding mysis and other small food occasionally.