Orange Tip Bubble Tip Anemone

The Orange Tip Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) is a beautiful marine anemone admired for its vibrant coloration, flowing tentacles, and fascinating natural relationship with clownfish.

This striking specimen features an abundance of elongated, gracefully curling tentacles in brilliant green, olive, and soft emerald tones. Many of the tentacles terminate in delicate orange and peach-colored tips, creating a beautiful contrast against the predominantly green body.

The tentacles display subtle variations in shape, with some appearing slender and extended while others develop gently swollen or rounded sections. This variation is characteristic of Bubble Tip Anemones, whose tentacle shapes can change naturally in response to environmental conditions.

Beneath the tentacles, the oral disc reveals deeper green and muted lavender-brown undertones, adding dimension to the anemone's colorful appearance.

Native to tropical Indo-Pacific waters, Entacmaea quadricolor inhabits coral reefs and rocky reef-associated environments. It typically secures its pedal disc within protected rock crevices while extending its tentacles outward to receive light and capture food.

Like other photosynthetic sea anemones, this species maintains a symbiotic relationship with microscopic dinoflagellates living within its tissues. These organisms provide an important source of energy through photosynthesis, while the anemone supplements its nutrition by capturing small marine prey.

Bubble Tip Anemones are also natural hosts for several clownfish species, offering shelter among their stinging tentacles for compatible fish.

With its vivid green tentacles, delicate orange highlights, and graceful flowing appearance, the Orange Tip Bubble Tip Anemone makes an attractive centerpiece for an established reef aquarium.

This WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) specimen has been individually photographed, allowing you to purchase the exact anemone pictured.

Care Guide

Additional Care Notes

Aquarium Environment: The Orange Tip Bubble Tip Anemone is best maintained in a mature, established marine aquarium with stable water chemistry, appropriate lighting, and consistent circulation. Sudden changes in salinity, temperature, or lighting can cause stress, particularly during initial acclimation.

Placement and Attachment: Entacmaea quadricolor naturally attaches its pedal disc deep within rocky crevices, allowing its tentacles to extend into the surrounding water. Provide stable rockwork with protected attachment locations. The anemone may move until it finds suitable lighting, flow, and shelter, so allow adequate space away from neighboring corals.

Lighting and Water Flow: As a photosynthetic species, this anemone relies partly on symbiotic dinoflagellates for energy. Moderate to high reef lighting is generally appropriate, provided changes in intensity are introduced gradually. Moderate, indirect water movement should allow the tentacles to sway naturally without continuously folding or displacing the oral disc.

Feeding and Nutrition: Photosynthesis provides an important portion of the anemone's energy requirements. Occasional supplemental feeding with small portions of thawed mysis shrimp, finely chopped marine shrimp, or other appropriately sized marine foods may provide additional nutrients. Avoid excessive feeding and remove uneaten food.

Compatibility: Bubble Tip Anemones possess stinging tentacles capable of damaging neighboring corals and other sessile invertebrates. Provide sufficient space for expansion and possible movement. Compatible clownfish may establish a hosting relationship, although individual behavior varies.

Clownfish Associations: Entacmaea quadricolor naturally hosts several clownfish species, including Maroon Clownfish (Amphiprion biaculeatus), Tomato Clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus), and Clark's Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii). Captive-bred clownfish of other species may also adopt Bubble Tip Anemones, although hosting is never guaranteed.

Handling and Safety: Avoid unnecessary handling and never forcibly remove an attached anemone from its substrate. Damage to the pedal disc can compromise its health. Protect powerhead and wavemaker intakes, particularly during acclimation when the anemone may relocate.

Long-Term Care: Healthy specimens generally maintain secure attachment, regular tentacle expansion, and normal feeding responses. Bubble Tip Anemones may reproduce asexually through division under suitable conditions. Tentacle length and the presence of bubble-shaped tips can vary naturally, so changes in shape alone do not necessarily indicate poor health. Persistent deflation, tissue deterioration, prolonged mouth gaping, or loss of attachment may indicate stress.