How to Care for Anemones in Your Reef Tank
- , by Mark Davis
- 3 min reading time
Anemones are stunning centerpieces for reef tanks but require stable, mature systems. Learn the ideal lighting, flow, feeding, and water parameters to keep them healthy.
Why Keep Anemones?
Anemones are one of the most captivating animals in the reef hobby — and watching a clownfish host in one is a bucket-list moment for many reefers. Species like the Bubble Tip Anemone (BTA), Rose Bubble Tip, Carpet Anemone, and Maxi Mini are popular choices, each with their own personality and care requirements.
That said, anemones are not beginner corals. They require a stable, mature tank and consistent water quality. Get the conditions right, and they'll thrive and even split — get them wrong, and they can wander into powerheads or sting everything in their path.
Tank Requirements
Anemones should only be added to tanks that are at least 6 months old with a fully established nitrogen cycle. They are highly sensitive to water quality and do not tolerate the parameter swings common in new tanks.
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons (larger is more stable)
- Established live rock and sand bed
- Covered powerhead intakes — anemones will find them
Lighting
Anemones need moderate to high light — 150–250 PAR depending on species. Bubble Tip Anemones are more adaptable (100–200 PAR), while Carpet Anemones and Maxi Minis can handle higher intensity. Acclimate slowly — start lower and gradually increase over several weeks.
Flow
Moderate, indirect flow works best. Anemones need enough flow to keep their tissue oxygenated and free of detritus, but too much direct flow will cause them to wander in search of a calmer spot. A wandering anemone is a dangerous one — it can sting and kill corals as it moves. Once settled in a good spot, they'll typically stay put.
Feeding
Anemones are carnivores and benefit greatly from regular target feeding:
- Silversides (whole or chopped)
- Mysis shrimp
- Krill
- Chopped shrimp or fish
Feed every 5–7 days for smaller anemones, every 3–5 days for larger ones. Do not overfeed — uneaten food will foul your water. Remove any uneaten food after an hour.
Note:
If you have clownfish in the same tank as your anemone they will also feed your anemone while your feeding your fish if they are hosting the anemone.
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 76–80°F (24–27°C)
- Salinity: 1.025–1.026 SG
- Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH
- Calcium: 400–440 ppm
- Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
- Nitrates: 2–10 ppm
- Phosphates: 0.02–0.08 ppm
Stability is everything. Sudden salinity or temperature swings are the most common cause of anemone death.
Placement
Let the anemone choose its own spot — don't try to force it to stay somewhere. Provide plenty of live rock with crevices and caves so it can anchor its foot securely. Keep all powerhead intakes covered with a sponge or guard. Once settled, avoid rearranging the aquascape around it.
Common Issues
- Wandering: Unhappy with light, flow, or water quality. Check all parameters and ensure powerheads are covered.
- Deflating/shriveling: Normal periodically as they expel waste. Concerning if it lasts more than 2–3 days — check water quality.
- Bleaching: Loss of zooxanthellae due to stress, high temperature, or poor light. Increase feeding and address the root cause.
- Mouth gaping open: A sign of serious stress or dying. Act quickly — check parameters and consider a water change.
Species Guide
- Bubble Tip Anemone (BTA): Most beginner-friendly, readily hosts clownfish, splits when healthy.
- Rose Bubble Tip: A color variant of BTA with stunning pink/red hues — same care requirements.
- Maxi Mini Carpet: Small, colorful, and stays put — great for nano tanks but highly aggressive to corals nearby.
- Carpet Anemones: Large, powerful, and advanced-only — can consume small fish and corals.
Ready to Add an Anemone to Your Reef?
Browse our hand-selected anemones at Reefverse — chosen for health, color, and quality.