🟣 Bubble Tip Anemone – Description & Care

Common Name: Bubble Tip Anemone
Scientific Name: Entacmaea quadricolor
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Lighting: Moderate to High (reef lighting)
Water Flow: Moderate
Placement: Rockwork (with space)
Diet: Carnivore (target feeding recommended)

💠 Description:

The Bubble Tip Anemone (BTA) is a vibrant and hardy anemone species known for its bulbous tentacle tips, though these may elongate depending on conditions. Color morphs include rose, green, rainbow, and sunburst, making it a showstopper in reef tanks. BTAs are natural hosts for clownfish, especially Amphiprion ocellaris and A. percula, and can form symbiotic relationships that benefit both organisms.

🌊 Tank Requirements:

• Minimum tank size: 30 gallons (larger is better)

• Stability is key: BTAs thrive in mature, well-established tanks (6+ months old).

• Parameters:

  • Temp: 76–80°F (24–27°C)

  • Salinity: 1.024–1.026

  • pH: 8.1–8.4

  • Nitrate: <10 ppm

  • Phosphate: <0.03 ppm

  • Calcium: 400–450 ppm

  • Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

  • Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

🍤 Feeding:

While BTAs get much of their energy from symbiotic zooxanthellae (thanks to lighting), they benefit from weekly target feedings of:

• Mysis shrimp

• Silversides (cut to size)

• Krill

• High-quality frozen reef blends

Use feeding tongs and avoid overfeeding to prevent fouling.

🧽 Behavior & Placement:

• BTAs move to find their ideal lighting and flow. Place them on live rock with crevices so they can anchor their foot securely.

• Keep powerhead intakes anemone-safe with guards to prevent injury.

• They can sting nearby corals and other anemones — allow generous space.

✨ Reproduction:

BTAs often split in captivity when healthy and stable. This asexual reproduction can lead to small colonies, but each new anemone will need room to grow.

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