Bubble-tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
BTA, Rose bubble-tip anemone, Bulb tentacle anemone
Family
Actiniidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific and Red Sea reefs, with the foot wedged in crevices
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Minimum tank
114 litres
Care level
intermediate
Reef safe
with_caution
Lighting
Moderate to high
Flow
Medium

Care

Entacmaea quadricolor is the bubble-tip anemone (BTA), the most popular host anemone in the hobby. Its tentacles often have swollen, bulb-like tips, though they can look stringy at times. Colour forms include green, brown, rose/red and many named morphs, and aquacultured clones are widely available. It grows to about 30 cm across. Placement: on the rockwork with a crevice for its foot; it will move until it finds a spot it likes. Moderate to high light and medium flow suit it. Cover pump intakes, as wandering anemones can be injured. Water: about 22–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12, in an established, well-skimmed tank. Iodine and trace elements help. Too little light or food makes the body swell and the tentacles stringy. Anemones are not CITES-listed. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/rose-bubble-tip-anemone). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, plus regular feeding with chopped fish, shrimp, worms or other meaty foods.

Breeding

Healthy specimens split by themselves (fission), forming clones. Cutting an anemone in half is possible but risky and best left to experienced keepers.

Compatibility and tank mates

Semi-aggressive: it stings corals and other anemones it touches, and may move around the tank. It hosts many clownfish, including tomato, maroon, clarkii and, often, ocellaris clowns. Handle with gloves.

Bubble-tip anemone for sale

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules. Live animals sent by post or courier must be tracked and signed for, except invertebrates sent by Royal Mail 1st Class (allowed, but the least recommended option).
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].