Entacmaea quadricolor (Bubble-Tip Anemone) Care Guide
Entacmaea quadricolor, the bubble-tip anemone, is a hardy photosynthetic host anemone for many clownfish, available in green, rose and other colour morphs.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Entacmaea quadricolor, the bubble-tip anemone, is a sea anemone of the family Actiniidae. It grows up to about 30 cm in diameter. The species shows two growth forms: shallow-water specimens develop the characteristic bulbous tips on their tentacles, while deeper-water specimens produce longer, streaming tentacles. Common colour morphs include standard green, rose, orange and red. Young individuals begin with roughly 20 tentacles, adding more as they grow.
Taxonomy
- Family: Actiniidae
- Order: Actiniaria
- Genus: Entacmaea
- Scientific name: Entacmaea quadricolor
Habitat
The species is widespread across the tropical Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea. Large adults tend to occupy deeper, dimly lit areas, while smaller individuals cluster nearer the surface in bright light. It anchors its foot in rock crevices.
Reef parameters
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Alkalinity (KH): 8-11 dKH
- Lighting: stable moderate-to-strong reef lighting
- Size: 10-30 cm
Diet
Entacmaea quadricolor obtains most of its energy from sunlight through symbiotic zooxanthellae living in its tissues. This photosynthesis must be supported by adequate, stable lighting. The anemone also captures prey, so weekly feeding with meaty marine foods supplements its energy budget.
Compatibility
This is the most widely hosted clownfish anemone, accepting around 14 anemonefish species, including Clark's anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii), tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus) and maroon anemonefish (Premnas biaculeatus). It is reef-safe with most fish and cleaner shrimp, but a roaming anemone can sting nearby corals, so placement should allow stable footing.
Breeding
Sexual reproduction is by broadcast spawning; in eastern Australia spawning has been recorded from January to April, and planula larvae can survive in the water column for up to 59 days. Asexual reproduction by longitudinal fission also occurs occasionally, which is how many aquarium colonies multiply.
Bubble-Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) Propagation Guide
Overview
Entacmaea quadricolor, the bubble-tip anemone, is widespread throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, and grows up to about 30 cm in diameter. It obtains most of its energy from symbiotic zooxanthellae. Smaller specimens tend to show the bulbous tentacle tips that give the species its name, while larger solitary adults often have more streaming, stringy tentacles. It hosts 14 anemonefish species, including Clark's, tomato, orange-fin, red-and-black and maroon anemonefish.
Reproductive Mode
The species reproduces both sexually and asexually. Its main sexual mode is broadcast spawning, which in eastern Australian waters occurs at the start of the year between January and April. It also reproduces asexually by longitudinal fission, though in the wild this is described as occurring only on rare occasions.
Asexual Propagation by Fission
Asexual longitudinal fission is the practical route to increasing numbers: a single anemone splits into two genetically identical individuals. This clonal process allows quick reproduction of successful genotypes but leads to genetic isolation and reduced dispersal. In aquaria, captive bubble-tip anemones commonly split on their own and form clonal clusters, which is how hobbyist stock is propagated.
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction relies on pelagic larvae. Larvae of E. quadricolor have been observed surviving up to 59 days in the water column, with peak settlement around 10 days. Because the larvae are long-lived and planktonic, sexual reproduction is not reproduced in home aquaria; it requires open water or specialised culture.