ID this hitchhiker nem, please!

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by Toronto_Guy, Apr 9, 2012.

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  1. Toronto_Guy

    Toronto_Guy Fire Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2010
    Messages:
    300
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada.
    This nem came along for the ride on a blue xenia frag that I picked up the other day. Friend or foe? I only really know about the more common types of pest anemone, like Aiptasia and majano.

    Sorry for the lack of clarity in the photo. All I have on hand is my iPhone to snap pics. It's about the size of a quarter. The outside edges of it are green, then there's a distinct red/orange ring of colouring, and the inner section is green. The mouth is orange/red in colour. It's pretty fast moving as well.

    Thanks!
     

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  3. TritonsGarden

    TritonsGarden 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2008
    Messages:
    541
    Location:
    Lawrenceburg, TN
    Looks like a maxi-mini carpet. They are good as long as small unsuspecting fish don't get eaten. They grow to about 3-4 inches and can consume small fish.
     
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  4. Toronto_Guy

    Toronto_Guy Fire Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2010
    Messages:
    300
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada.
    Thanks for the help! I did a google image search for maxi-minis and found a pic of one that's nearly identical to mine.

    It's nice to have a welcome hitchhiker for a change. It's also nice to have some good news with my tank considering I recently had all of my LPS corals die off on me.
     
  5. pgoodsell

    pgoodsell Horrid Stonefish

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
    Messages:
    2,059
    Location:
    Sparks, Nv
    Ya they're cool little nems. I was looking at getting one, but I don't know if my YWG would stay away from it and I dont want him to get eaten.
     
  6. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2011
    Messages:
    1,911
    I've had 3 MM's in my 26g for a year now..no fish loss :) It's not that they'll eat the fish per say but more likely the fish getting stung by the nem and surviving. As for size they actually can reach up to 5-6" across.
    I think your YWG will be just fine. As from your pic the nem is further up on the rocks.