[Coral-List] White anemones- nemo in the white house?

[atj777 at attglobal.net]

Karl,

All host anemones (sea anemones that host anemonefish and some damselfish) 
are symbiotic.  Any time you see a white one, it is bleached.  I believe 
in most cases, at least in aquaria, of bleached anemones is due to 
insufficient light to sustain the zooxanthellae.

Andrew.

> ----- Message from "Michele & Karl" <michka at fellenius.net> on Mon, 
> 26 May 2008 08:48:05 +1100 -----
> 
> To:
> 
> <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> 
> Subject:
> 
> Re: [Coral-List] White anemones- nemo in the white house?
> 
> Listers,
> 
> Can someone briefly explain why some anemones associated with 
anemonefishes
> are white instead of the usual yellow or beige (and sometimes 
colour-tipped)
> ones? I've had this question from clients a few times now. The anemones
> appear healthy. To date I have not seen them 'change' colour although I 
am
> interested if this can happen as well. I understand that many anemones 
have
> zooxanthellae-like symbionts so I am hoping that 'white' anemones are 
not
> 'bleached.' If they are bleaching then are there cases where they bleach 
but
> only turn a pale version of their former selves (like some corals)? If 
so,
> then this might be hard to detect.
> 
> Any clarification is appreciated.
> 
> Karl
> 
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