Green Bubble-Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor)

Max Size: 1 foot
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Waterflow: Medium
Lighting: Moderate to High
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

The Bubble Tip Anemone is a visually stunning addition to a home reef aquarium. Under strong lighting, Entacmaea quadricolor develops a bulb tip at the end of its tentacles. Its unique feeding behavior involves extending its sweeper tentacles to catch prey from the water column before retracting and taking on a bulbous appearance.

While sometimes called the Four-Colored Anemone, this species may vary in coloration from one individual to another. Bulb Anemones from Fiji and Tonga are typically brown, tan, or maroon, with the occasional green specimen, while those from Sri Lanka are typically green with a maroon base.

In the wild, the Bubble Tip Anemone attaches its pedal disc deep within dead coral among rubble or on solid, living reefs. In the home aquarium, it requires similar habitat, placed amongst live rock or branchy corals on sandy substrate. Most prefer to find their own spot to settle and may move around until a suitable location is found.

To ensure proper care, Bubble Tip Anemones require strong lighting in aquariums of at least 30 gallons. Although they can grow up to 1-foot in diameter under ideal conditions, most remain compact in size under bright lighting. They should be kept with a Clownfish for optimal care. Their diet should consist of chopped fish, shrimp, or worms if a clownfish is not present.

Handle all Anemones, including the Bubble Tip Anemone, with care, as they can sting other anemones and corals that encroach upon their territory.