Green Long Tentacle Anemone

The Green Long Tentacle Anemone (Heteractis doreensis) is a beautiful marine anemone admired for its flowing tentacles, delicate coloration, and fascinating relationship with clownfish.

This attractive specimen features an abundance of elongated, gracefully curling tentacles in soft translucent green, lime, and olive tones. The tentacles display subtle variations in color, with brighter green highlights toward their tips and delicate lavender-brown coloration near their bases.

Its broad oral disc reveals warm brown and muted lavender tones beneath the tentacles, creating an appealing contrast against the luminous green coloration. The tentacles form natural curls, loops, and sweeping curves, giving the anemone an intricate appearance.

Native to tropical Indo-Pacific waters, Heteractis doreensis is a sand-dwelling sea anemone commonly associated with sandy and muddy substrates in sheltered reef environments. It typically buries its column within the substrate while extending its tentacles upward into the surrounding water.

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

Long Tentacle Anemones are also natural hosts for certain clownfish species, providing shelter among their flowing tentacles for compatible fish.

With its beautiful green coloration, gracefully curling tentacles, and gentle movement, the Green Long Tentacle Anemone makes an elegant centerpiece for a mature, established marine 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 Green Long Tentacle Anemone is best maintained in a mature, established marine aquarium with stable water chemistry, appropriate illumination, and consistent circulation. Sudden changes in salinity, temperature, or lighting can cause stress, particularly during initial acclimation.

Placement and Attachment: Heteractis doreensis naturally inhabits sandy and muddy substrates, typically burying its column while anchoring its pedal disc securely beneath the sand. Provide a sufficiently deep sand bed near stable rockwork, allowing the anemone to establish a protected attachment point. Avoid repeatedly moving the specimen once it has settled.

Lighting and Water Flow: This photosynthetic species benefits from moderate to high reef lighting, introduced gradually to prevent light stress. Provide gentle to moderate, indirect water circulation that allows the long tentacles to sway naturally without continuously folding or displacing the oral disc.

Feeding and Nutrition: Symbiotic dinoflagellates supply an important portion of the anemone's energy requirements through photosynthesis. Occasional supplemental feeding with small portions of thawed mysis shrimp, finely chopped marine shrimp, or other appropriately sized marine foods can provide additional nutrients. Avoid oversized food items and excessive feeding.

Compatibility: Long Tentacle Anemones possess stinging tentacles that can damage neighboring corals and other sessile invertebrates. Provide adequate space for expansion and possible relocation. Compatible clownfish may establish a hosting relationship, although individual behavior varies.

Clownfish Associations: Heteractis doreensis is a natural host for certain clownfish, including Clark's Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii) and Pink Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion). Hosting behavior is not guaranteed, even with naturally associated species.

Handling and Safety: Avoid unnecessary handling and never forcibly detach 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 normal feeding responses. The long tentacles may become tightly curled or more extended depending on water movement and other environmental conditions. Persistent deflation, tissue deterioration, prolonged mouth gaping, or loss of attachment may indicate stress.