Ultra Sunburst Bubble Tip Anemone

The Ultra Sunburst Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) is a spectacular marine anemone admired for its fiery coloration, beautifully patterned tentacles, and fascinating natural relationship with clownfish.

This exceptional specimen displays a striking combination of vivid orange, coral-red, golden yellow, and fluorescent green. Its elongated tentacles feature rich orange-red coloration that gradually transitions into golden and olive-green tones near their bases, creating a brilliant sunburst appearance.

One of the most distinctive features of this specimen is the intricate, darker red patterning visible throughout many of its tentacles. These delicate markings add remarkable texture and visual depth, while the smooth, rounded tips glow in warm shades of orange and peach.

The brilliant fluorescent green oral disc provides a dramatic contrast to the surrounding tentacles. Subtle yellow-green highlights radiate outward from the central area, enhancing the anemone's multicolored appearance.

The tentacles vary naturally in shape, with some appearing elongated and flowing while others develop gentle curls or slightly swollen sections. This variation is characteristic of Bubble Tip Anemones and contributes to their distinctive appearance.

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

This photosynthetic 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 supplements 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, intricate markings, golden highlights, and brilliant green center, the Ultra Sunburst Bubble Tip Anemone makes an extraordinary 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 deep 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 movement 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 oversized food items, excessive feeding, and uneaten food accumulation.

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 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. 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.