Species · GBIF taxon 4339208
Bubble-tip Anemone
Entacmaea quadricolorAlso known as Bulb-tentacle Anemone, Bulb-tip Anemone, Maroon Anemone
Bubble-tip anemones anchor themselves deep within reef crevices, displaying bulbous, swollen tentacle tips when exposed to bright light and stringy, elongated tentacles in deeper or shaded waters. They host a wide variety of clownfish species, providing protection in exchange for nutrients and defense against predators. These marine invertebrates also rely on symbiotic algae living within their tissues to convert sunlight into energy.
SymbioticReef-dwellingPhotosynthetic
Licensed reference(c) Alexander Vasenin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Photosynthetic byproducts from zooxanthellae, plankton, and small fish
- family
- Actiniidae
- threats
- Coral bleaching, ocean warming, and over-harvesting for the aquarium trade
- life Span
- Decades (potentially over 50 years in stable conditions)
NE
Stinging cells can cause mild skin irritation; avoid touching with bare hands.
Possesses stinging nematocysts in its tentacles that inject mild toxins to paralyze prey.
Never touch the tentacles with bare skin, and wear protective gloves if handling in an aquarium.- Look for clownfish: Spotting a protective clownfish often leads directly to finding the hidden anemone base.
- Observe the tentacles: Notice how individuals in bright, shallow water have bulbous tips, while deeper ones are stringy.
- Keep your distance: Avoid touching the tentacles to prevent triggering their stinging cells and stressing the animal.