About Bubble-tip Anemone
Bubble-tip anemone — the most reef-safe host anemone and the one most likely to be accepted by Amphiprion clownfish in captivity. Splits readily under good conditions. Like all anemones, it wanders; screen pump intakes.
Bubble-tip anemone is a species of sea anemone in the family Actiniidae. Like several anemone species, E. quadricolor can support several clownfish species, and displays two growth types based on where they live in the water column, one of which gives it the common name, due to the bulbous tips on its tentacles.
Notes from the editors
What it looks like. Sea anemone with bulb-tipped tentacles in the "bubble-tip" form when settled (the namesake), or smoother tentacles in the "rose" form (typically associated with stress or different lighting). Color ranges from green and tan to vivid red ("Rose BTA").
In your tank. The most reef-safe host anemone and the one most likely to be accepted by Amphiprion clownfish in captivity. Splits readily under good conditions — a single specimen can become multiple over time.
Care notes. Like all anemones, they wander — screen all pump intakes and overflow drains. A wandering anemone that gets sucked into a powerhead is fatal to the anemone and can pollute the tank. Best in 50+ gallon mature systems.
Sourcing and feeding. Captive-propagated specimens (especially Rose BTA) widely available ($40–200+). Wild-collected also common. Photosynthetic; supplement weekly with small pieces of frozen mysis or silversides.
Care info is a starting point, not a guarantee. Individual specimens, water chemistry, and tankmate dynamics vary. Verify against multiple sources and adjust to what you observe. See our terms & disclaimers.
Related invertebrates
Sources & attribution
- Taxonomy and accepted name from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS AphiaID 289898).
- Description content adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photo: (c) Susan Prior, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (via iNaturalist or Wikimedia Commons).