đē Majano Anemones
Majano anemones are often considered attractive at first glance, with their colorful appearance and bulbous-tipped tentacles. However, these pest anemones reproduce rapidly and pack a powerful sting that can damage neighboring corals. They're often confused with desirable anemones or even colonial polyps, making early identification crucial.
đ Quick Facts
| Type | Pest anemone (Anemonia majano) |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorful, bulbous tentacle tips, 0.5-2 inches |
| Severity | High - Rapid spread, powerful sting |
| Common Entry | Hitchhiker on live rock, coral frags |
| Treatment Difficulty | Moderate - More stubborn than Aiptasia |
đ Identification
Majano anemones have distinctive features:
- Bulbous tentacle tips - Rounded, ball-like ends (unlike Aiptasia's pointed tips)
- Colorful - Often green, brown, or tan with attractive patterns
- Smaller oral disc - More compact than Aiptasia
- Stubby tentacles - Shorter and thicker than Aiptasia
- Stays expanded - Less likely to retract than Aiptasia
- Found on rocks - Prefers hard surfaces, less common in crevices
Majano vs. Aiptasia
| Feature | Majano | Aiptasia |
|---|---|---|
| Tentacle tips | Bulbous, rounded | Pointed, tapered |
| Color | Often colorful | Usually brown/tan |
| Body | More compact | Longer column |
| Retraction | Slower, less complete | Instant, complete |
| Location | Exposed surfaces | Crevices, holes |
| Sting | More powerful | Less powerful |
Often Confused With
- Ball anemones - Beneficial, similar appearance but don't spread aggressively
- Bubble-tip anemones (small) - Check size and growth pattern
- Colonial hydroids - Different structure on close inspection
â ī¸ Why They're Problematic
- Powerful sting - Can kill coral tissue on contact
- Aggressive spread - Reproduce asexually, quickly form colonies
- Hardy - Difficult to kill completely
- Attractive nuisance - Hobbyists sometimes let them spread before realizing the problem
- Treatment resistant - More stubborn than Aiptasia
đ Treatment Options
1. Chemical Injection
Similar to Aiptasia treatment but may require stronger approach:
Aiptasia-X / Joe's Juice
- Turn off flow
- Inject directly into oral disc
- May require multiple treatments
- Majano may require larger dose than Aiptasia
- Wait 10 minutes before resuming flow
Concentrated Kalkwasser
- Mix thick paste of calcium hydroxide
- Apply directly to Majano with syringe
- Very effective when done correctly
- May need repeated applications
Boiling Water / Lemon Juice
- Inject with syringe
- Kills on contact
- Risk of spreading if not thorough
2. Laser Treatment
- High-powered laser burns Majano
- Effective for hard-to-reach specimens
- No chemicals in water
- Must destroy entire animal including base
- Wear appropriate eye protection
3. Physical Removal
- Remove entire rock section if possible
- Chisel out rock underneath Majano
- Must remove all tissue - Fragments regenerate
- Scrub removed rock with freshwater
- Best for isolated specimens on removable rocks
4. Biological Controls
Less reliable than for Aiptasia:
- Peppermint shrimp - Some individuals eat Majano, many don't
- Berghia nudibranchs - DO NOT eat Majano (Aiptasia only)
- Copperband butterflyfish - May or may not eat them
- Filefish - Some species pick at Majano
- Biological control is less predictable for Majano than Aiptasia
5. Covering/Smothering
- Cover completely with super glue gel
- Must seal all tissue - no gaps
- Epoxy putty over the glue for larger specimens
- Effective but unsightly
âąī¸ Treatment Strategy
| Scenario | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| 1-3 Majano | Injection treatment, repeat weekly until gone |
| Small colony | Remove rock section if possible, or intensive injection |
| Widespread | Combination: injection + removal + possible rock replacement |
| On coral | Careful injection or remove coral for treatment |
đĄī¸ Prevention
- Quarantine everything - Inspect all new additions
- Dip corals - May dislodge small Majano
- Inspect live rock - Look for colorful small anemones
- Ask questions - Ask seller if tank has Majano
- Act immediately - Don't wait; treat as soon as spotted
- Don't be fooled by beauty - Pretty doesn't mean beneficial
â Common Mistakes
- Thinking they're attractive and letting them spread
- Confusing with desirable anemones
- Using Berghia nudibranchs (they only eat Aiptasia, not Majano)
- Incomplete treatment allowing regeneration
- Not treating all specimens simultaneously
- Waiting too long to act
đ Summary
Majano anemones are more challenging to eliminate than their Aiptasia cousins. Their attractive appearance often delays treatment, allowing populations to establish. Chemical injection works but may require persistence and multiple treatments. Physical removal of rock sections can be effective for isolated infestations. Unlike Aiptasia, there's no reliable biological control - Berghia nudibranchs won't touch them. The key is early identification and immediate action before a few Majano become a full-blown infestation. When in doubt, treat anything that looks like a small anemone that you didn't intentionally add.