Ultra Sunburst Bubble Tip Anemone

The Ultra Sunburst Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) is an extraordinary marine anemone celebrated for its brilliant coloration, graceful tentacles, and fascinating natural relationship with clownfish.

This exceptional specimen displays a spectacular combination of fiery orange, vivid red, golden yellow, and fluorescent green coloration. Its elongated tentacles feature intensely colored orange-red tips that transition into golden and olive-green tones, creating a striking multicolored appearance.

The brilliant fluorescent green oral disc provides a dramatic contrast to the warm-colored tentacles, producing the distinctive sunburst effect that makes this anemone so visually captivating. Fine speckling and subtle color variations along the tentacles add remarkable texture and detail.

Some tentacles display gently swollen or rounded tips, while others remain elongated and flowing. This variation is characteristic of Bubble Tip Anemones, whose tentacle shapes can change with environmental conditions.

Native to tropical Indo-Pacific waters, Entacmaea quadricolor inhabits coral reefs and rocky reef-associated environments. It typically attaches its pedal disc securely within crevices while extending its tentacles into surrounding water to receive light and capture food.

Like other photosynthetic sea anemones, this species maintains a symbiotic relationship with microscopic dinoflagellates living within its tissues. These organisms provide an important source of energy through photosynthesis, while the anemone can supplement its nutrition by capturing small marine prey.

Bubble Tip Anemones are also natural hosts for several clownfish species, offering shelter among their stinging tentacles for compatible fish.

With its spectacular orange-red tentacles, golden highlights, and brilliant green center, the Ultra Sunburst Bubble Tip Anemone makes a stunning centerpiece for an established reef aquarium.

This WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) specimen has been individually photographed, allowing you to purchase the exact anemone pictured.

Care Guide

Additional Care Notes

Aquarium Environment: The Ultra Sunburst Bubble Tip Anemone is best maintained in a mature, established marine aquarium with stable water chemistry, appropriate lighting, and consistent circulation. Sudden changes in salinity, temperature, or lighting can cause stress, particularly during acclimation.

Placement and Attachment: Entacmaea quadricolor naturally attaches its pedal disc within rocky crevices, allowing its tentacles to extend into the surrounding water. Provide stable rockwork with protected attachment locations. The anemone may move until it finds suitable lighting, flow, and shelter, so allow adequate space away from neighboring corals.

Lighting and Water Flow: As a photosynthetic species, this anemone relies partly on symbiotic dinoflagellates for energy. Moderate to high reef lighting is generally appropriate, provided changes in intensity are introduced gradually. Moderate, indirect water flow should allow the tentacles to sway naturally without continuously folding or displacing the oral disc.

Feeding and Nutrition: Photosynthesis provides an important portion of the anemone's energy requirements. Occasional supplemental feeding with small portions of thawed mysis shrimp, finely chopped marine shrimp, or other appropriately sized marine foods may provide additional nutrients. Avoid excessive feeding and remove uneaten food.

Compatibility: Bubble Tip Anemones possess stinging tentacles capable of damaging neighboring corals and other sessile invertebrates. Provide sufficient space for expansion and possible movement. Compatible clownfish may establish a hosting relationship, although individual behavior varies.

Clownfish Associations: Entacmaea quadricolor naturally hosts several clownfish species, including Maroon Clownfish (Amphiprion biaculeatus), Tomato Clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus), and Clark's Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii). Captive-bred clownfish of other species may also adopt Bubble Tip Anemones, although hosting is never guaranteed.

Handling and Safety: Avoid unnecessary handling and never forcibly remove an attached anemone from its substrate. Damage to the pedal disc can compromise its health. Protect powerhead and wavemaker intakes, particularly during acclimation when the anemone may relocate.

Long-Term Care: Healthy specimens generally maintain secure attachment, regular tentacle expansion, and responsive feeding behavior. Bubble Tip Anemones may reproduce asexually through division under suitable conditions. Tentacle length and the presence of bubble-shaped tips can vary naturally, so changes in shape alone do not necessarily indicate poor health. Persistent deflation, tissue deterioration, prolonged mouth gaping, or loss of attachment may indicate stress.