Heteractis magnifica (Magnificent Anemone) Care Guide

Heteractis magnifica is a large host anemone with long flowing tentacles that demands intense light and stable water; it hosts clown and percula anemonefish.

Overview

Heteractis magnifica, the magnificent sea anemone, is a large host anemone of the family Stichodactylidae. Its flared oral disc measures roughly 20-50 cm across, occasionally reaching one metre. Tentacles exceed 8 cm in length, are arranged in concentric circles and often have lighter, fingered tips. The oral disc is light beige to white, while the column can be electric blue, green, red, pink, purple or brown. In the World Register of Marine Species this taxon is now treated as Radianthus magnifica (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833).

Taxonomy

• Family: Stichodactylidae
• Order: Actiniaria
• Genus: Heteractis
• Scientific name: Heteractis magnifica
• WoRMS note: accepted as Radianthus magnifica (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833)

Habitat

The species ranges across the Indo-Pacific from eastern Africa and the Red Sea to Polynesia, and from southern Japan to Australia and New Caledonia. It prefers hard substrates well exposed to light and current, from the surface down to about 20 m, and has been observed to 40 m.

Reef parameters

• Minimum tank volume: 400 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: intense reef lighting
• Size: 30-100 cm

Diet

Heteractis magnifica feeds largely through the photosynthesis of symbiotic zooxanthellae living in its tissues, which is why strong, stable lighting is essential. It also captures prey with its tentacles, so supplemental feeding with meaty marine foods supports its energy needs.

Compatibility

This anemone hosts around 12 anemonefish species, including Amphiprion ocellaris, Amphiprion percula, Amphiprion clarkii and Amphiprion pacificus, and may also shelter the threespot dascyllus and commensal shrimps. It is sensitive to parameter swings, so it should only be added to a mature, stable system. A wandering anemone can sting nearby corals.