Purplish Long Tentacle Anemone

The Purplish Long Tentacle Anemone (Macrodactyla doreensis) is a beautiful marine anemone admired for its graceful, flowing tentacles, delicate coloration, and fascinating natural behavior.

This distinctive specimen displays an expansive lavender-pink oral disc with subtle radial markings, surrounded by numerous elongated tentacles in shades of mauve, dusty rose, and soft purple. Many of the tentacles curl into elegant spirals and loops, creating a remarkable display of texture and movement. Its contrasting pale central disc adds depth to the overall appearance.

Native to tropical Indo-Pacific waters, Macrodactyla doreensis is commonly associated with sandy and sediment-rich habitats, where it anchors its column beneath the substrate while extending its oral disc and tentacles 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 contribute to the anemone's nutritional requirements, while the anemone can also capture small marine prey using specialized stinging cells called nematocysts.

Long Tentacle Anemones are also recognized for their natural associations with certain clownfish species. Their extended tentacles can provide shelter for compatible clownfish, although individual hosting behavior varies.

The Purplish Long Tentacle Anemone offers a beautiful combination of soft purple coloration, graceful movement, and unusual curled tentacle formations, making it an attractive centerpiece for a mature marine aquarium with suitable sandy substrate.

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 Purplish Long Tentacle Anemone is best maintained in a mature saltwater aquarium with stable water chemistry, appropriate lighting, and reliable filtration. Consistency is especially important during acclimation, as sudden changes in temperature, salinity, or lighting can cause stress.

Placement and Attachment: Long Tentacle Anemones naturally inhabit sandy or sediment-rich environments. Provide a sufficiently deep sand bed with a secure attachment surface beneath or adjacent to the substrate. The anemone typically conceals its column while extending its oral disc and flowing tentacles into the surrounding water.

Lighting and Water Flow: This species maintains a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic dinoflagellates and requires adequate lighting to support their activity. Moderate to high reef lighting is generally suitable when introduced gradually. Gentle to moderate, indirect water movement allows the tentacles to sway naturally without continuously folding the oral disc.

Feeding and Nutrition: Photosynthesis supplies an important portion of the anemone's nutritional requirements. 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 portions and remove uneaten food to maintain water quality.

Compatibility: Long Tentacle Anemones possess stinging tentacles capable of damaging neighboring corals and other sessile invertebrates. Allow sufficient space for expansion and possible movement. Certain clownfish species may form natural hosting relationships, although compatibility and individual behavior vary.

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

Long-Term Care: Healthy specimens generally maintain secure attachment, regular oral disc expansion, and responsive feeding behavior. Temporary contraction can occur naturally, but persistent deflation, tissue deterioration, prolonged mouth gaping, or loss of attachment may indicate stress. Tentacle length, curvature, and coloration can vary with environmental conditions.