Stichodactyla gigantea (Gigantic Carpet Anemone) Care Guide
Stichodactyla gigantea is a large carpet anemone with extremely sticky short tentacles that hosts several clownfish; it is challenging to keep in aquariums.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Stichodactyla gigantea, the gigantic carpet anemone, is a large carpet anemone of the family Stichodactylidae. The disc is usually no larger than 50 cm across, with a maximum of about 80 cm. Its short tentacles are extremely sticky and adhere firmly to surfaces. Most specimens are brown or greenish, with rarer colorations in purple, pink, deep blue or bright green.
Taxonomy
- Family: Stichodactylidae
- Order: Actiniaria
- Genus: Stichodactyla
- Scientific name: Stichodactyla gigantea
Habitat
The species is native to Hawaii and the wider Indo-Pacific. It lives on shallow seagrass beds or sand flats, in water around 8 cm deep at low tide. It is generally sessile, although individuals hosting anemonefish can show some movement.
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: 40-100 cm
Diet
Zooxanthellae are obligate symbionts within Stichodactyla gigantea, so strong, stable lighting is essential to its survival. The anemone also captures prey with its sticky tentacles, and supplemental feeding with meaty marine foods supports it.
Compatibility
The anemone hosts about seven anemonefish species, including the false clownfish and barrier reef anemonefish, plus juveniles of the three-spot dascyllus. Its tentacles are very sticky and can capture fish that contact them, so it should not be kept with small or slow fish that may be caught. It is widely regarded as difficult to keep and frequently dies in captivity.
Stichodactyla gigantea (Gigantic Carpet Anemone) Breeding & Propagation Guide
Overview
Stichodactyla gigantea is a large host sea anemone of the family Stichodactylidae. According to Wikipedia, it is usually no larger than 50 cm and reaches a maximum of about 80 cm, living in shallow seagrass beds or sand flats. It maintains an obligate symbiosis with zooxanthellae and hosts seven anemonefish species, including the false clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris. It is notoriously difficult in captivity, which makes any form of intentional reproduction a fringe endeavour.
Reproductive Mode
Like other sea anemones, Stichodactyla gigantea can in principle reproduce both sexually and asexually. Wikipedia notes that in sea anemones males may release sperm to stimulate females to release eggs, with fertilization occurring in the water column or internally; the resulting planula larva drifts before settling and metamorphosing into a juvenile. No species-specific captive spawning protocol is documented in the consulted sources.
Asexual Propagation
Sea anemones can multiply asexually by longitudinal fission (pulling themselves apart into identical clones), by less common transverse fission, and by pedal laceration, in which fragments left by the pedal disc regenerate into new clonal individuals. Large host anemones such as this species divide only rarely, so deliberate asexual propagation is not a reliable hobby method.
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction is broadcast (pelagic): gametes are released into open water, and the planktonic planula larvae drift before settlement. This pelagic phase cannot be replicated in a home aquarium, so successful sexual breeding of S. gigantea is not feasible for aquarists.
Common Challenges
The species frequently dies in captivity, demanding very stable salinity, strong light and a large mature system. Because reproduction is essentially pelagic and division is rare, the realistic goal is long-term survival of a single specimen rather than propagation.