Bubble Tip Anemone
Scientific Name : Entacmaea quadricolor
Common Names : Bulb Tentacle Anemone, Rose Bubble Tip Anemone, Maroon Sea Anemone
Care Level : Moderate to Difficult
Size : up to 12 inches (30 cm)
Life span : Extremely long life spans in the wild.
pH : 8.1 – 8.4
Temperature : 75°F – 82°F (25°C – 28°C)
Specific Gravity : 1.023 – 1.025
Carbonate Hardness (dKH) : 8 – 12°
Tank Light : Minimum recommended lighting levels would be 50/50 (actinic/10,000k daylight bulbs) power compacts in tanks with standard depth (24 inches). For tanks deeper than 24 inches you’ll need HO, VHO or Metal Halides.
Origin / Habitat : Fiji, Singapore
Temperament / Behavior : They can move around the tank to find a suitable location. Ledges in live rock up off the sand substrate are often preferred locations. They can sting tank inhabitants with their tentacles, although it seems that it may be less potent than other anemone species.
Breeding / Mating / Reproduction : Both asexual and sexual breeders. They most often will clone themselves by splitting.
Tank Size : 30 gallon (114 liters) minimum
Compatible Tank Mates : Can be considered for reef tanks.
Clownfish that may host with this anemone :
Amphiprion akindynos – Barrier Reef Clownfish
A. clarkii – Clark’s Clownfish
A. frenatus – Tomato Clownfish
A. melanopus – Red and Black Clownfish
A. ocellaris – Ocellaris Clownfish – our Ocellaris clowns do not host with our bubble tip…
Premnas Biaculeatus – Maroon Clownfish
Also see: Clownfish Anemone Chart
Anemone Disease : Can be difficult to diagnose symptoms and corresponding diseases in anemones. Tanks with insufficient light and insufficient anemone feeding will often see them wither away after a few months. They prefer saltwater higher in specific gravity. Aim for water in the 1.023 – 1.025 range. Beware that anemones that are dying are believed to release toxins into the water that can harm or even kill tank inhabitants.
Diet / Fish Food : Supplemental feedings (twice per week) have been anecdotedly reported to induce cloning. Feeding can play an even more important role in tanks will lower lighting levels.
Tank Region : Slow moving, but often stationary in the tank once they find a suitable location.
Gallery Photos : Bubble Tip Anemone Photos
The Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) has the reputation of being one of the easier sea anemones to keep and comes in a few different colors or varieties. There is a brown, green and even a pink colored variety which is commonly known as the Rose Bubble Tip Sea Anemone. The signature of this anemone is the bulb tips that form towards the ends of the anemone’s tentacles. There is much debate and speculation as to why these tips form. Some think that very high lighting levels are required or even that more actinics are required in the lighting scheme and other hobbyists feel that frequent and varied feedings are required. Whatever the reasoning for these bulbs forming, for long term success with this anemone you’ll need to provide high output lighting such as VHO, HO or Metal Halides. Power Compact lighting might work in shallow tanks. Supplemental feeding is a good idea too.
There are many clownfish species that will host with this anemone (see below), with the most common being the Maroon Clownfish. You don’t need to have a clownfish to keep an anemone, though watching the symbiotic relationship between the clownfish and the anemone is one of the most fascinating aspects of aquarium keeping. The opposite holds true as well. You don’t have to keep an anemone if you want to keep clownfish.
As mentioned previously you will want to feed them once or even twice a week with either fresh, raw shrimp, clams, mussels, etc. Chop or slice this fresh seafood into very small pieces and use a feeding stick or tank tongs to give the anemone the food. We like to use a home made feeding stick that is 3 chop sticks taped together. Place the food on the end of the feeding stick and then gently place it on the tentacles of the anemone. They should grasp at it or show some other feeding response.
As far as water quality goes, aim for a higher specific gravity (1.023 – 1.025) and keep the water parameters in good condition via partial water changes. The water changes should help replenish needed elements but you may also want to use an iodine supplement in between water changes.
Anemones can live for a very long time and like your fish, they are a major commitment.
