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.
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.