| Bubble-tip anemone | |
|---|---|
| A colony of Entacmaea quadricolor. Young individuals may have about 20 tentacles, with numbers increasing during their lifetime.[1] | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Anthozoa |
| Order: | Actiniaria |
| Family: | Actiniidae |
| Genus: | Entacmaea |
| Species: | E. quadricolor |
| Binomial name | |
| Entacmaea quadricolor (Leuckart in Rüppell & Leuckart, 1828)[2] |
|
The bubble-tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor), also known as the bubble tip anemone, bubble anemone or bulb anemone, is a species of sea anemone of Indo-Pacific origin. In the wild, this anemone is a natural host of several species of anemonefishes, including the Cinnamon (Amphiprion melanopus), Tomato (A. frenatus), Orange-fin (A. chrysopterus), Amphiprion clarkii, false clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris), clownfish (Amphiprion percula) and Maroon (Premnas biaculeatus).
E. quadricolor anemones often appear in a variety of morphs, including rose, orange, red and standard green. This sea anemone can grow to be up to a 30 centimetres (0.98 ft) in diameter, and obtains the majority of its energy from solar radiation (sunlight) via its symbiotic zooxanthellae. Nutrients are generally obtained by filter feeding using its sweeping tentacles, or through wastes and debris cleaned from the surface of its partner clownfish. In aquariums, this sea anemone will reproduce asexually when in proper care with supplemented minerals such as iodine and other trace elements (usually purchased as an enrichment cocktail by most home aquarists).
In the wild, Bubble Tip Anemones are found in two locations. Large specimens, with tentacles that are more streaming or stringy, are often found in deeper waters with more dimly lit conditions. These specimens are often solitary. Smaller specimens are often located in groups or colonies, nearer to the surface, in bright sunlight. These specimens tend to show the bulbous tips on their tentacles that are characteristic to Bubble Tip Anemones. Although there are various theories about why some Bubble Tip Anemones develop these tips and some do not, it is widely believed that the bulbs are related to the light level in the anemone's habitat; specimens given more light are believed to have bubble tipped tentacles.
Contents |
The popular Bubble Tip Anemone is the favorite anemone of the Maroon Clown Fish. This anemone has an appearance unique among many captive anemones, and is considered by many to be easier to care for than many other anemones commonly used to host Clown Fish.
As with all anemones, be sure that all current devices are protected so that your Bubble Tip Anemone cannot easily get sucked inside. A rock with many crevices, or an area of rocks, should be provided so your Bubble Tip Anemone may anchor itself. When keeping a Bubble Tip Anemone in an aquarium with many different species of corals, it is often best to place the anemone in before the corals. This allows the anemone to select a spot it likes and helps prevent it moving across your corals later. Bubble Tip Anemones often remain in the area of the aquarium they are placed, although they are more likely to wander right away than later. In the cases that they do move around, it is usually due to conditions that they are unhappy with. Some report a need to feed this species of anemone weekly, others claim it can live entirely on photosynthesis, especially if hosting a clownfish. This is because it can subsist very well on photosynthesis. When purchasing a Bubble Tip Anemone, choose a specimen that is anchored to some object in the tank. Never purchase an anemone with a distended mouth, as this may be a sign of poor health (although it's also how they expel waste).
More in: Marine Fish and Reef 2009 Issue. Article: True Sea Anemones by Vincent Hargreaves, PH.D.