Bubble tip anemone reef compatibility check
Entacmaea quadricolor
Bubble tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) is an intermediate-level anemone that needs at least 30 gallons. It is reef safe with caution; can walk and sting corals. Plan high light and moderate flow (placement: will choose its own spot). Add it as late-stage livestock once the tank is at least 6 months old.
Common host anemone, but it belongs in mature systems with guarded pumps.
Who it is for
Good fit for
- ✓ Tanks of 30+ gallons at the animal's adult size.
Not a fit for
- ✕ Tanks under 30 gallons, even while it is small.
- ✕ Keepers without some reef experience and stable parameters.
- ✕ New tanks; wait until the system is about 6+ months old.
- ✕ Reefs where the cautions on this page would put existing corals or inverts at risk.
Compatibility warnings
- Can walk and sting corals.
- Protect powerheads and wait for a mature stable tank.
- Plan for tank maturity and stable lighting before purchase.
- Use pump guards because wandering anemones can be damaged by powerheads.
- Leave room around corals because movement is part of the risk.
Professional planning context
- Use the 30 gallon minimum as an adult-planning floor; display length, aquascape, and existing tankmates can raise that floor.
- Hold this entry until the system has at least 6 months of maturity or equivalent stability evidence.
- Invert plans should account for copper exposure, acclimation sensitivity, predation risk, and whether the tank can actually feed the animal.
Tank fit and maturity gate
ReefCrafter uses 30 gallons as the planning floor for adult size, swimming room, nutrient load, and aggression margin.
This animal should wait until the tank has enough age, food web stability, or parameter history.
Care notes
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Reef safety
- Caution
- Adult size
- 12 in
- Placement
- will choose its own spot
- Diet
- Photosynthetic; accepts occasional meaty foods.
- Flow
- Moderate
- Light
- High
- Bioload
- 0.8
- Stocking stage
- Late
Related species
- Rock flower anemone
10+ gallons, moderate light.
- Atlantic pygmy octopus
Same 30-gallon floor, expert care, reef not safe.
- Fighting conch
Same 30-gallon floor, beginner care, reef safe.
- Peacock mantis shrimp
Same 30-gallon floor, reef not safe.
Equipment that fits
- EcoTech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED
Lists about 430 PAR at 18 in, enough for a high light need.
- Orphek Atlantik iCon Compact
Lists about 250 PAR at 18 in, enough for a high light need.
- Kessil A360X Controllable LED Tuna Blue
Lists about 280 PAR at 18 in, enough for a high light need.
Related reading
Questions
What size tank does the bubble tip anemone need?
ReefCrafter plans for at least 30 gallons, based on an adult size of about 12 inches, plus room to forage and the stability a larger water volume gives. Use the adult size, not the size at purchase.
Is the bubble tip anemone reef safe?
It is reef safe with caution in ReefCrafter's catalog. Watch for: Can walk and sting corals; Protect powerheads and wait for a mature stable tank.
Is the bubble tip anemone good for beginners?
It is rated intermediate care, so most beginners should add it later, after parameters have been stable for 6+ months.
How much light and flow does the bubble tip anemone need?
ReefCrafter lists a high light need and moderate flow (placement: will choose its own spot). In planner terms that starts around 250 PAR.