Bubble Tip Anemone Care Guide

The Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) is the most popular anemone in the reef hobby — and for good reason. It’s the hardiest widely available anemone species, hosts clownfish readily, and comes in stunning colour varieties including rose, red, and standard green/brown. Here’s how to keep one thriving.

Tank Requirements

• Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
• Established tank: minimum 6 months old — never add anemones to a new tank
• Salinity: 1.025–1.026 sg
• Temperature: 24–27°C (75–80°F)
• Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH
• Calcium: 400–450 ppm
• Nitrate: <10 ppm; Phosphate: <0.1 ppm

Lighting

BTAs have zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae) that photosynthesize. They need moderate to high light — 150–250 PAR at their chosen location. They will move until they find the light level they prefer, so avoid the temptation to move them yourself.

Flow

Moderate, random flow is ideal. Too strong and the anemone will deflate and wander; too weak and it may not expand fully. Wavemakers with random patterns work well.

Feeding

BTAs benefit from supplemental feeding even with strong lighting:

• Feed 1–2 times per week
• Meaty foods: silversides, mysis shrimp, krill — pieces smaller than the anemone’s mouth
• Target feed directly to the tentacles
• Remove uneaten food after 30 minutes

Clownfish Hosting

Most clownfish species will readily host a BTA. Ocellaris and Percula clownfish are the most common pairings. Introduce the anemone first and let it settle for 2–4 weeks before adding clownfish.

Signs of Stress

• Constant wandering — unhappy with lighting or flow
• Deflated and shrunken for extended periods
• Bleaching (turning white) — losing zooxanthellae, often from lighting change
• Expelling mesenterial filaments — severe stress response

Shop Corals & Anemones

Check our Corals and Anemones collection for current availability, and our Saltwater Fish collection for clownfish to pair.