Compatibility guide

Bubble Tip Anemone tank mates

What fish, coral, and inverts can live with the Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor). Tank mate compatibility broken into good / caution / avoid buckets - tank size minimum: 40 gallons minimum.

✓ Compatible (good tank mates)

These species coexist well with the Bubble Tip Anemone in an appropriately-sized tank.

✓
Maroon clownfish - Natural host - preferred anemone
✓
Tomato clownfish - Natural host
✓
Cinnamon clownfish - Natural host
✓
Captive-bred ocellaris - May host (50/50) despite not being natural pair
✓
Reef-safe wrasses - Different niche
✓
Cleaner shrimp - Often live alongside BTAs

⚠ Caution (compatible with management)

Workable pairings if the tank is large enough or the introduction is staged correctly.

⚠
Coral neighbors - BTAs sting adjacent corals - leave 6+ inches of clearance
⚠
Mantis shrimp - May attack the anemone
⚠
Hermit crabs (large) - May damage anemone foot

✕ Avoid (incompatible tank mates)

Don't combine these with the Bubble Tip Anemone. Outcome is usually death of one species or chronic stress.

✕
Predator fish - Some triggers + puffers eat anemones
✕
Strong powerheads (unprotected) - BTAs migrate into intakes - guard powerheads

Stocking notes

Bubble tip anemones grow to 12 inches diameter. They sting nearby corals with potent nematocysts - leave 6+ inches clearance around the BTA. They'll migrate around the tank looking for the right light + flow combination, often settling in 100-200 PAR with moderate flow. Can split (clone) to produce additional individuals.

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