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.
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.