Starburst Bubble Tip Anemone

The Starburst Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) is a spectacular marine anemone admired for its brilliant coloration, distinctive tentacles, and fascinating natural relationship with clownfish.

This exceptional specimen displays an extraordinary combination of fiery red-orange tentacles, golden-yellow tips, and a brilliant turquoise-green oral disc. Its vivid coloration creates a dramatic starburst effect, with the luminous blue-green center radiating outward into a dense arrangement of richly colored tentacles.

The elongated tentacles feature intricate darker red patterns throughout their surfaces, adding remarkable texture and visual depth. Many tentacles terminate in bright yellow, rounded tips, while others display gently swollen or elongated shapes characteristic of Bubble Tip Anemones.

The central oral disc reveals delicate radial markings in turquoise, aqua, and fluorescent green, creating a stunning contrast against the surrounding orange-red tentacles. Under appropriate reef aquarium lighting, these colors produce an especially vibrant display.

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 into the surrounding water.

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 can supplement its nutrition by capturing small marine prey.

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

With its fiery red-orange tentacles, brilliant golden tips, and spectacular turquoise-green center, the Starburst Bubble Tip Anemone makes an extraordinary 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 Starburst 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 acclimation.

Placement and Attachment: Entacmaea quadricolor naturally attaches its pedal disc 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, water 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 flow 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 responsive feeding behavior. 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.