Ultra Sunburst Bubble Tip Anemone

The Ultra Sunburst Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) is a spectacular marine anemone prized for its fiery coloration, intricate tentacle patterns, and brilliant fluorescent center.

This exceptional specimen features an extraordinary combination of vivid orange-red, golden yellow, emerald green, and turquoise-blue. Its densely arranged tentacles display brilliant orange and red coloration, with darker golden-green tones near their bases and intricate yellow-gold markings extending along their surfaces.

Many of the tentacles are decorated with delicate speckles and irregular patterns that create remarkable texture and visual depth. Their rounded tips glow in vibrant orange, while shorter, gently swollen tentacles mingle with longer, flowing extensions to create a richly layered appearance.

At the center, a striking turquoise-blue and green oral disc provides a dramatic contrast against the surrounding fiery tentacles. Fine radial markings extend outward from the central mouth, producing the spectacular sunburst appearance that gives this anemone its name.

Under suitable reef aquarium lighting, the combination of intense orange-red tentacles, fluorescent green highlights, and a luminous blue-green center creates an especially impressive display.

Native to tropical Indo-Pacific waters, Entacmaea quadricolor inhabits coral reefs and rocky reef-associated environments. It typically anchors its pedal disc within protected rock crevices while extending its tentacles into the surrounding water 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 spectacular orange-red tentacles, intricate golden markings, fluorescent green highlights, and brilliant turquoise center, the Ultra Sunburst 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 Ultra Sunburst 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, 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 oversized food items, excessive feeding, and uneaten food accumulation.

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 detach 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.