Anemone color change help?

Thats a great sign most will never go back to that color i have one aswell

yeah thats awesome , it's a sign that it has regained it's zooxanthellae, the symbiotic algae that is needed for it's continued health. When they are pure white this is a sign that this zooxanthellae has left the animal.


zo·o·xan·thel·la   

    Any of various yellow-green algae that live symbiotically within the cells of other organisms, such as those of certain radiolarians and marine invertebrates.

Edited by dmanshep

Joe- I had the same thing happen with my anemone.  As was stated, it is a good sign of the anemones health.  The thing that shocked me is the change process.  Mine looked as if it had algae growing on the outside of it.  As time progressed it was more and more evident that it was the zooanthella algae growing. 

It is time to start pretending that it is an maroon anemone

Carl,

Where is that quote from?

I have never seen a Sebae live for longer then a year in captivity without regaining (at least in my opinion) it's zooxanthellae and turning at least slightly brown.

Also I would like to know the reference to where zooxanthellae can change color in different conditions.

Jake Pehrson wrote: Where is that quote from? Also I would like to know the reference to where zooxanthellae can change color in different conditions.

Jake, take a look at http://fins.actwin.com/species/anemone.html as one example.

I will also agree with you that it is often impossible or at least unlikely that they will survive in captivity. Now, whether or not these are already anemones in demise I cannot answer. Maybe it is assumed that a large number of anemones of a certain species were documented in demise and it was assumed that this white or almost transparent color is normal? I cannot explain this further. Perhaps I should have put a disclaimer up, "I have read that..."?

As for the color change in zooxanthellae, I picked that up from Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History by Eric H. Borneman I believe. If I have time, I will try to find the chapter.

But, if you think about it, the zoox. changes in many corals depending upon condition. Example, yellow cup corals will often turn brown if you increase their lighting exposure. Other corals may turn lighter if the temperature in the water changes. I have seen it... haven't you?

AFAIK, all zooxanthellae is brown.  The colors seen in corals are due to photoactive pigments, not zooxanthellae.

Jake, take a look at http://fins.actwin.com/species/anemone.html as one example.

From that same source under "bad points" for the sebae:

Bad Points- No one I have spoken with, not even the public aquariums, can keep the white or yellow ones alive for more than 6-8 months. Out of the over 20 responses I received regarding sebaes only 2 anemones had stayed alive for over one year. Both of the anemones were tan in color either when purchased or had turned tan shortly there after. One thought is that sebae anemones may expel their symbiotic algae shortly after capture and when it is completely gone it is not easily replaced.

WOW thanks for all the info! I thought people would just say it is not
doing good and now I get all the good stuff! Hope it helps others also