Purple Gigantea Carpet Anemone

The Purple Gigantea Carpet Anemone (Stichodactyla gigantea) is an extraordinary marine anemone admired for its magnificent coloration, densely packed tentacles, and impressive, flowing carpet-like appearance.

This spectacular specimen displays beautiful shades of lavender, violet, orchid, and soft purple. Its expansive oral disc is covered with thousands of closely arranged, short tentacles that create a richly textured surface resembling a luxurious purple carpet.

One of the most striking features of this anemone is its elaborate, folded oral disc. Broad, undulating sections rise and curve across the specimen, forming dramatic ridges and valleys covered with delicate purple tentacles. These folds create remarkable depth and dimension, particularly when viewed from above.

The central oral disc features soft cream and pale lavender coloration surrounding a distinctive golden-orange mouth. Delicate radial markings extend outward from the central area, transitioning into warmer peach and purple tones beneath the dense covering of tentacles.

The tentacles themselves vary subtly in length and coloration, with rounded lavender tips and deeper violet bases creating an intricate, velvety appearance.

Native to tropical Indo-Pacific waters, Stichodactyla gigantea inhabits shallow reef environments, often occupying sandy areas adjacent to hard substrates where its pedal disc can attach securely.

This species is photosynthetic, maintaining a symbiotic relationship with microscopic dinoflagellates that provide an important source of energy through photosynthesis. It also captures small marine prey using its adhesive, stinging tentacles.

Gigantea Carpet Anemones are natural hosts for several clownfish species, including Ocellaris and Percula Clownfish. The relationship between these anemones and their resident clownfish is one of the most fascinating examples of symbiosis found on coral reefs.

With its spectacular purple coloration, elaborate folded structure, and densely packed tentacles, the Purple Gigantea Carpet Anemone makes an exceptional centerpiece for a spacious, mature marine aquarium.

Because of its demanding lighting, circulation, and environmental requirements, this species is recommended for experienced marine aquarists.

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 Purple Gigantea Carpet Anemone requires a mature, spacious marine aquarium with excellent water quality and exceptionally stable conditions. This species is sensitive to transportation stress and environmental changes, making it most appropriate for experienced aquarists familiar with advanced anemone husbandry.

Placement and Attachment: Stichodactyla gigantea naturally inhabits shallow reef flats and sheltered sandy or rocky environments. Provide a secure attachment location, preferably where the anemone can anchor its pedal disc to a hard surface at or beneath the sand-rock interface. Allow ample room for its oral disc to expand and develop its characteristic folds.

Lighting and Water Flow: This species depends heavily on photosynthesis and requires strong reef aquarium lighting. Gradually acclimate it to the aquarium's lighting conditions to avoid unnecessary stress. Provide broad, moderate to strong water movement that allows the oral disc and tentacles to move naturally without exposing the animal to a concentrated, damaging jet.

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

Compatibility: Gigantea Carpet Anemones possess extremely adhesive, stinging tentacles capable of injuring neighboring corals and capturing fish or other animals that come into contact with them. Provide substantial separation from other sessile invertebrates and avoid placing the anemone where vulnerable fish must regularly pass across its oral disc.

Clownfish Associations: Stichodactyla gigantea is a natural host for several clownfish species, including Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris), Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion percula), Clark's Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii), and Pink Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion). Individual clownfish may or may not establish a hosting relationship.

Handling and Safety: Avoid unnecessary handling and never forcibly detach an attached anemone from its substrate. The adhesive tentacles contain stinging cells, and the delicate pedal disc can be injured during removal. Protect all aquarium pump and wavemaker intakes, particularly while the anemone is settling into its new environment.

Long-Term Care: Healthy specimens generally maintain secure attachment, consistent oral disc expansion, responsive tentacles, and normal feeding behavior. Gigantea Carpet Anemones can be particularly susceptible to deterioration following shipping or sudden environmental changes. Persistent deflation, tissue breakdown, prolonged mouth gaping, or loss of attachment should be investigated promptly.