A question for the anemone experts.. time to show off your knowledge

[laxchick008]

How do you tell the difference between an H. crispa and an H. malu? Ie: striation differences, tentacle, base mouth or other differences would be helpful. Ands aren't both types commenly called sebaes?

[Dragonlady]

I don't consider myself an expert on anemones. Anyway,
H. crispa's base feels leathery, and usually has more numerous tentacles than H. malu. H. malu's base does not feel leathery.
H. malu is usually only found with juvenile fish in the wild and H. crispa is often found with breeding pairs. I'm sure their nematocysts probably show differences under a microscope too.

[laxchick008]

what about if I can't feel the base, any other way to tell based on looks? like coloration, etc.

[richdragon32]

H. malu has considerably less tentacles than H. crispa. H crispa (if healthy) has much longer tentacles.

[richdragon32]

http://lumen2.uiah.fi/hynde/eka.php
malu. You can see the tentacles are spread apart and not that long.

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http://sugar.iet.unipi.it/Anemoni/pag21_4_1.htm
H. crispa has much longer tentacles and "fuller" look.

[laxchick008]

thank you richdragon32, very helpful. It also seems from all properly identified pics I could find that H. Malu's always have the tan color with purple tips, is that a fair assesment?

[richdragon32]

No some malu's come in different colors, just the most that we see are tan with the purple tips. Some H. Crispas are also tan with the purple tips, but again the longer tentacles and the "fuller" look.