Bubble Tip Anemone

Identity

Common Name: Bubble Tip Anemone

Scientific Name: Entacmaea quadricolor

Other Names: Bubble-Tip Anemone; Bulb-Tip Anemone; Rose Bubble Tip Anemone; RBTA; Green Bubble Tip Anemone

Family: Actiniidae

Type: Sea anemone (cnidarian)

Native Range: Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, eastern Africa, Australia and Japan.

Lifespan: Captive lifespan uncertain; no dependable numerical range is available.

Overview

Husbandry Basis: Tank-volume and feeding-frequency values in this guide are practical starting points, not species-wide requirements. Adjust care to the identified animal's movement, attachment, feeding response and usable space; keep intakes guarded.

Natural Habitat

Native Distribution: Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, eastern Africa, Australia and Japan.

Natural Habitat: Rock crevices on reefs

Aquarium Setup

Minimum Tank Size: Hydro Habitats starting recommendation: 40 US gal (151 L); not a universal requirement.

Rockwork: Provide secure rock crevices for attachment. Leave the animal attached rather than pulling it from its chosen site.

Lighting: Use reef-capable lighting and base acclimation on documented prior conditions. PPFD is light intensity measured at the animal (400-700 nm). See Aquarium Lighting for measurement guidance; this guide does not recommend a universal numeric target.

Water Flow: Avoid direct jets that prevent secure attachment or food acceptance. Check attachment after changes to flow or lighting.

Space Requirements: Reserve clearance from neighboring livestock around the attachment area and wherever the anemone may move; tank volume alone does not provide that clearance.

Special Setup Requirements: Match transfer water and avoid abrupt changes; protect intakes and reserve coral clearance.

Water Parameters

Temperature: Starting target: 76-80°F (24-27°C)

Salinity: Starting target: 1.024-1.026 specific gravity; use a calibrated seawater instrument and its stated reference temperature.

pH: Starting target: 8.1-8.4; not a species tolerance limit.

Alkalinity: Starting target: 7-11 dKH; not a species tolerance limit.

Calcium: Starting target: 380-450 ppm using the test manufacturer's convention; not a species tolerance limit.

Magnesium: Starting target: 1250-1350 ppm using the test manufacturer's convention; not a species tolerance limit.

Other Relevant Parameters: Ammonia and nitrite should be undetectable with suitable seawater tests. Confirm the units, method and detection limit before comparing results; interpret ammonia with pH, temperature and salinity. Monitor nitrate/phosphate trends and manage feeding/export for the actual system. See Aquarium Ammonia and Aquarium Nitrite for test-unit guidance.

Stability Requirements: Use a biologically established aquarium with a documented history of stable conditions. Tank age alone does not establish readiness.

Husbandry Basis: Hydro Habitats starting targets, not species tolerance limits; use the test manufacturer's reporting convention.

Behavior

General Behavior: Monitor the chosen attachment site and any change in position. If attachment is persistently lost, review measured conditions, lighting and flow rather than repeatedly forcing the animal into place.

Compatibility

Compatibility Precautions: Compatibility is not guaranteed: stinging contact can injure neighboring livestock. Monitor feeding and contact, protect vulnerable animals, and separate animals if injury occurs.

Contact Precautions: Stinging contact is a hazard; reserve separation from livestock and guard pump intakes. Do not assume clones or color morphs are mutually compatible.

Diet & Feeding

Natural Diet: Photosynthetic symbiotic algae contribute to this anemone's nutrition; supplemental feeding does not replace suitable lighting.

Captive Diet: Hydro Habitats starting recommendation: Small marine meaty foods delivered gently to tentacles; no forced feeding or detachment.

Feeding Frequency: Small supplemental meals 1-2 times weekly; adjust portions to observed acceptance and remove excess food.

Feeding Method: Offer small marine meaty foods gently to the tentacles; check food acceptance and remove excess food. Do not force feeding or detach the animal.

Sexing & Breeding

Reproductive Strategy: Research documents spawned eggs, external fertilization and ciliated planula development in Entacmaea quadricolor. This guide provides no propagation or larval-rearing protocol.

Health & Special Sensitivities

Common Health Problems: Persistent loss of attachment, feeding response or coordination, visible injury or tissue deterioration warrants checking measured water conditions and obtaining appropriate aquatic-health advice. Appearance alone does not diagnose the cause.

Copper Sensitivity: Do not use copper medication in a display containing these invertebrates. Treat fish separately under appropriate aquatic-health guidance; a reef-safe label alone does not establish safety for the animal or system.

Handling: Do not deliberately cut or forcibly detach the animal.

Beginner Suitability

Beginner Friendly: Conditional; assess readiness and care demands.

Why: Readiness means stable measured conditions, suitable lighting, guarded intakes, room for movement and the ability to monitor feeding and attachment; no beginner-success guarantee is made.

Before You Buy

Important Considerations: Ask about the specimen's previous lighting and feeding response. Check attachment and visible tissue condition before purchase; plan gradual lighting acclimation and protected intakes before introduction.

Compatibility: Allow clearance for stinging contact, protect vulnerable livestock, and separate animals if injury occurs.

Adult Size: Reported oral-disc diameter reaches 40 cm (about 16 in); this is not a captive size limit.

Long-Term Care: Track attachment, position, food acceptance and tissue condition together. Persistent loss of attachment or feeding response and tissue deterioration warrant measured water checks and aquatic-health advice; appearance alone does not identify the cause.