Red Bubble Tip Anemone

About This Competition

When housed beneath intense aquarium lighting, Entacmaea quadricolor develops a unique bulb tip at the end of its tentacles.

When hungry, this member of the Actinide family will stretch its sweeper tentacles to grab food from the water column. After feeding, the tentacles then shorten again and take on their bulbous appearance. coloration can vary greatly from one individual to the next.

Red variations may be referred to as Rose Anemones. Generally, Bulb Anemones from Fiji and Tonga are shaded in soft browns, tans, or maroon, though an occasional green specimen is found. By contrast, the Bulb Anemones from Singapore are typically green in color with a deep maroon base. The Bulb or Bubble Tip Anemone is found in oceans around the world.

The Bulb Anemone attaches its pedal disc deep within dead coral amongst rubble or on solid, living reefs. In the home aquarium, the Bulb Anemone requires similar habitat and positioned amongst deeply creviced live rock or branchy corals placed in sandy substrate.

Most Bulb Anemones prefer to find their own place to settle and may move about your aquarium until a suitable location is found. For best care, the Bulb Anemone requires strong lighting in aquariums of at least 30 gallons. Under ideal conditions, it can grow up to 1-ft in diameter.

However, most typically remain compact in size when kept under bright lighting. If the lighting is insufficient, the Bulb Anemone will expand its body to make the most of the available light. It should be kept with a Clownfish for best care.

At times, the tentacles of the Bulb Anemone may appear stringy; this may be due to insufficient light or the need for food. Its diet should include chopped fish, shrimp, or worms if a clownfish is not present. Handle this invertebrate, and all Anemones, with care.

Coral Overview

Scientific Name: Entacmaea quadricolor

Colour/Variant: Red purple Green Pink

Approx. Size: 4-5 inch expanded

Lighting (PAR): Moderate (120-190)

Feeding: 1-2 Times per week (Meaty foods/Reef roids)

Waterflow: Moderate

Placement: Varying

Temperament: Semi Aggressive

Recommended Water Parameters: 24-27 °C, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025, Calc 400-450

Care Level: Beginner/Intermediate