Purple Tip Green Bubble Anemone - Entacmaea quadicolor

Purple Tip Green Bubble Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor)

Purple Tip Green Bubble Anemone is a beautiful marine anemone admired for its vibrant green tentacles, contrasting purple tips and graceful flowing movement. Its distinctive colouration creates an eye-catching display under blue and mixed reef lighting, making it a desirable feature for established marine aquariums. As a natural host for certain clownfish species, this colourful anemone also brings fascinating behaviour and movement to a well-maintained reef system.

Common Name:
Purple Tip Green Bubble Anemone, Purple Tip Bubble Tip Anemone, Green Bubble Tip Anemone, BTA

Scientific Name (Latin):
Entacmaea quadricolor

Coral Type:
Anemone

Growth Form:
Fleshy host anemone with a broad oral disc, secure pedal disc and flowing tentacles that may develop distinctive bubble-shaped tips. Tentacle shape can vary depending on aquarium conditions.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Bubble Tip Anemones are found throughout Indo-Pacific marine environments, including the Red Sea, reef slopes, lagoons and rocky reef structures. They typically attach their foot securely within rock crevices while extending their tentacles into areas receiving suitable light and 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

Purple Tip Green Bubble Anemone requires suitable reef lighting to support its symbiotic zooxanthellae and maintain healthy colouration. Moderate to high lighting is recommended, although sudden increases in intensity should be avoided. Gradual acclimation will help the anemone adjust to its new environment without unnecessary stress.

Flow:
MEDIUM

Provide moderate, indirect and varied water movement that allows the tentacles to sway naturally. Strong direct flow should be avoided, as it can cause the anemone to retract or move in search of a more suitable location. Gentle, changing flow patterns are ideal for encouraging natural tentacle extension.

Placement:
Place on secure rockwork with suitable crevices where the anemone can attach its foot firmly. Bubble Tip Anemones may move around the aquarium until they find their preferred combination of lighting, flow and shelter. Allow generous space from neighbouring corals and ensure all powerheads, wavemakers and overflow intakes are appropriately protected.

Temperament / Aggression:
Aggressive

Purple Tip Green Bubble Anemones possess stinging tentacles that can damage neighbouring corals and other sessile invertebrates. Although they may form natural hosting relationships with compatible clownfish, they should be positioned away from delicate SPS, LPS and soft corals. Their ability to move around the aquarium makes careful spacing particularly important.

Feeding:
Photosynthetic, but benefits from feeding

Purple Tip Green Bubble Anemone receives much of its energy from light through its symbiotic zooxanthellae. Occasional supplemental feeding can support healthy growth and overall condition. Suitable foods include:

• Mysis shrimp

• Small pieces of krill

• Finely chopped prawn

• Chopped mussel or clam

• Other appropriately sized marine meaty foods

Feed sparingly, using small portions that can be easily consumed. Avoid oversized food items and excessive feeding, as these can cause stress and negatively affect water quality.

Growth Rate:
Moderate

In a mature, stable reef aquarium, Purple Tip Green Bubble Anemones can grow steadily and develop impressive tentacle extension. Healthy specimens may occasionally reproduce through natural splitting, producing genetically identical anemones. Growth depends on suitable lighting, stable water chemistry, appropriate feeding and consistent aquarium conditions.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Purple Tip Green Bubble Anemone is best suited to a mature, stable marine aquarium with suitable reef lighting and good water quality. Important care considerations include:

• Maintain consistent temperature, salinity and water parameters.

• Protect all powerheads, wavemakers and pump intakes to prevent injury.

• Allow the anemone to select its preferred position without repeated handling.

• Avoid sudden changes in lighting or strong direct water flow.

• Provide sufficient space from neighbouring corals to prevent stinging.

• Never forcibly remove an attached anemone from rockwork, as damage to its foot can be serious.

• Monitor for prolonged deflation, bleaching, a persistently open mouth or loss of attachment, which may indicate stress.

• Ensure feeding is appropriate and avoid excess nutrients from uneaten food.

A healthy Bubble Tip Anemone should be responsive, securely attached and capable of maintaining good inflation and natural tentacle movement.

Suitable for:
Intermediate reefkeepers

Availability:
Premium anemone

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.