Carpet Anemone

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Difficult   • Temperament: Aggressive   • Maximum Size: 30"
• Diet: Omnivore   • Aquarium Level: Substrate & Rocks   • Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
 • Reef Compatible: Yes   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
• Supplements: Iodine, Trace elements   • Coloration: White, Grey, Pink
• Origin: Indo-Pacific, Atlantic • Family: Stichodactylidae   • Species: Anemones

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The Carpet Anemone lives singularly on or about reefs or soft sand bottoms in the Indo-Pacific and the Red Sea. These Anemones can attain a size of up to 2 1/2 feet in diameter. They have short tentacles and a potent sting (harmful to humans) along with brightly colored base and tentacles. These anemones serve as a "host" for many types of Clownfish including Amphiprion ocellaris, A. percula, or Dascyllus trimaculatus.

In exchange for protection for the Clownfish, the Clownfish will provide the carnivorous anemone with pieces of food (crumbs) that make up a large part of the Anemones diet.

Carpet Anemone requires a tank with strong high quality lighting and good water movement. The aquarium should provide both sandy and rocky locations to provide adequate habitat for this species. The Carpet Anemone may prefer one location more than the other and will move about the tank until it finds the location of its choice.

This species has a potent sting and may harm corals and other anemones as it moves about the aquarium. It is not compatible with other Anemones within a 12 inch diameter, so be sure to aquascape the aquarium appropriately (keeping in mind anemones can move around as they please). The addition of a clownfish to the aquarium will immediately help with acclimation of this species providing it with a steady food supply. When healthy, it will be very sticky and will be able to grasp something (or someone) and is very difficult to remove it without damaging it.

While a 30 gallon aquarium is considered the minimum aquarium size for this species, it is highly recommended that a larger aquarium be used as this species can become quite large (2 1/2 feet) and requires a good amount of space between itself and other invertebrate or coral species (approx. 12 inches).

Once acclimated, Carpet Anemones should be fed a diet of fish, shrimp, and other meaty foods. Along with Iodine, Trace Elements, strong lighting (10,000K, Actinic 03 metal halide or power compacts), strong water flow and excellent water quality.

Be careful with this species as this colorful Anemone has a potent sting and is venomous. It is one of the few anemones that can cause a severe reaction in humans, so keeping one requires great care in handling. This species is very difficult to keep and should only be attempted by expert marine aquarist, zoo, or marine research institutions.