Green Long Tentacle Anemone - Macrodactyla doreensis

Green Long Tentacle Anemone (Macrodactyla doreensis)

Green Long Tentacle Anemone is an attractive marine anemone admired for its long flowing tentacles, bright green colouration and natural movement in the reef aquarium. When settled, it can become a beautiful feature animal for mature marine systems, especially when provided with a suitable sandbed, stable water quality and enough space away from corals.

Common Name:
Green Long Tentacle Anemone, Long Tentacle Anemone, LTA, Corkscrew Anemone

Scientific Name (Latin):
Macrodactyla doreensis

Coral Type:
Anemone

Growth Form:
Large fleshy anemone with a broad oral disc, long flowing tentacles and a pedal disc that prefers to anchor into sand or rubble.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Long Tentacle Anemones are found across Indo-Pacific marine habitats, often in sandy lagoonal areas, reef margins and soft substrate zones where they can bury their foot and extend their tentacles into gentle to moderate water movement.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Alkalinity: 7–10 dKH
Calcium: 400–450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
Nitrate: Low but detectable
Phosphate: Low but detectable

Lighting:
MEDIUM TO HIGH
Green Long Tentacle Anemone requires suitable reef lighting to support its symbiotic zooxanthellae. It can adapt to moderate to strong lighting, but sudden increases in intensity should be avoided. Gradual light acclimation is recommended when introducing it to a new aquarium.

Flow:
LOW TO MEDIUM
Provide gentle to moderate, indirect flow that allows the tentacles to move naturally without being constantly blasted. Harsh direct flow may cause the anemone to retract, detach or move in search of a more suitable position.

Placement:
Place on a sandbed or sandy area close to rockwork, where the anemone can bury its foot securely into the substrate. Avoid placing directly on sharp rockwork and allow plenty of space from corals, as it may move until it finds suitable light, flow and attachment.

Temperament / Aggression:
Aggressive
Green Long Tentacle Anemone has a strong sting and can damage nearby corals or sessile invertebrates if it expands or moves into them. Provide generous spacing and avoid placing it close to delicate SPS, soft corals or LPS corals.

Feeding:
Photosynthetic, but benefits from feeding
This anemone receives much of its energy from light through its symbiotic zooxanthellae, but occasional feeding can support health and growth. Suitable foods include small pieces of mysis, krill, chopped prawn, mussel and other marine meaty foods. Feed sparingly and avoid oversized portions or overfeeding, as this can affect water quality.

Growth Rate:
Moderate
In a stable, mature marine aquarium, Green Long Tentacle Anemone can grow steadily and expand significantly once settled. Healthy growth depends on stable salinity, suitable lighting, gentle flow and good water quality.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Green Long Tentacle Anemone is best suited to a mature aquarium with stable parameters, a suitable sandbed and protected equipment. Cover wavemakers and powerheads before introduction, as wandering anemones can be injured by exposed pumps. Avoid sudden changes in salinity, temperature or lighting, and never force the foot from the substrate once attached. A healthy specimen should be responsive, inflated, firmly attached and have a closed mouth.

Suitable for:
Intermediate reefkeepers

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on colour intensity, supplier naming and season.

All images are a visual representation of the anemone you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns, colours and growth form will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.