© Brücke-Osteuropa / Public domainHaddon's Carpet Anemone
Haddon's Carpet Anemone is a large sea anemone whose ruffled oral disc can spread 50 to 80 centimeters across. Its center features a bare, tentacle-free zone about 1 to 2 centimeters wide, while the edges display an alternating pattern of longer and shorter tentacles. Well known as a host for clownfish, it becomes a striking centerpiece as it billows across the reef tank. At the same time, its sting is exceptionally potent, requiring care around tankmates and bare skin alike. It's a species that combines real visual presence with real handling demands, making it best suited to experienced keepers.
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Haddon's Carpet Anemone key facts
- Care level
- Advanced
- Size
- Oral disc 50-80 cm across
- Temperature
- 22〜26℃
- Diet
- Nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae, supplemented about once a week with meaty foods such as fish, shrimp and clam.
- Lighting
- LiveAquaria rates its lighting requirement as high; it depends on its zooxanthellae and needs strong illumination.
- Flow & Placement
- LiveAquaria rates flow as medium and placement as bottom. It buries its foot in the sand bed, often attaching to the aquarium glass with its column hidden in the sand. Reduce flow while it is settling in.
- Water Temperature & Quality
- Water 22-26C, specific gravity 1.023-1.025. LiveAquaria rates its care level as difficult.
- Feeding
- Besides photosynthesis, offer meaty foods such as fish, shrimp and clam. It is an effective predator and can catch poor swimmers.
- Notes
- Its sting is very potent and it does catch tank mates. LiveAquaria rates it as reef compatible only with caution. It is not listed in the CITES Appendices.
About Haddon's Carpet Anemone
A guide to Haddon's Carpet Anemone, a large sea anemone with a 50-80cm oral disc, alternating long and short tentacles, and an exceptionally potent sting best suited to experienced keepers.
7 things to know before welcoming a Haddon's Carpet Anemone
1Grows Very Large
As an adult, its oral disc can spread 50 to 80 centimeters wide, so it needs a tank with enough clearance from other livestock and rockwork. In a cramped tank, its extended tentacles can end up touching neighboring animals.
2Powerful Sting
Its nematocyst sting is exceptionally potent and can damage other corals or anemones it comes into contact with. Bare-handed contact can also cause noticeable irritation for some people, so gloves are worth considering when handling it.
3Prone to Wandering
When unhappy with its spot, it can use its tentacles and pedal disc to relocate elsewhere in the tank. Give it plenty of clearance so a move doesn't bring it into contact with other livestock, heaters, or pump intakes.
4Distinctive Disc Pattern
The center of the oral disc has a bare, tentacle-free zone roughly 1 to 2 centimeters across, with longer and shorter tentacles alternating toward the edge. A healthy specimen typically shows a fully expanded disc with firm, plump tentacles.
5Hosts Clownfish
It's well known as a host for clownfish, including the common clownfish, which is part of its appeal for many keepers. That said, not every individual anemone will pair successfully with every clownfish.
6Needs Strong Light and Flow
Maintaining its large body requires stable, strong lighting and water flow; poor conditions can cause the disc to shrink or the animal to deflate. Consistent feeding and stable water quality also help keep it healthy.
7Best Left to Experienced Keepers
Its large size, potent sting, and tendency to wander mean it often calls for rethinking tankmate compatibility and aquascape layout. It's best introduced only after a tank has been running long enough for water parameters to be fully stable.
Frequently asked questions about Haddon's Carpet Anemone
- Q.Can beginners keep this anemone?
- A.It's generally considered a species for experienced keepers due to its exceptionally potent sting and large adult size. Careful thought about tankmate compatibility and tank size is recommended before adding one.
- Q.How big does it get?
- A.As an adult, its oral disc can spread 50 to 80 centimeters across. It grows larger than many keepers expect, so plan for a tank with plenty of room.
- Q.Can it be kept alongside other corals?
- A.Its very potent sting combined with a tendency to wander around the tank creates a real risk of it damaging nearby corals it touches. Careful placement and generous spacing are essential.
- Q.Is this species regulated under CITES?
- A.Haddon's Carpet Anemone is not listed under CITES.
- Q.Does it move around in the tank?
- A.Yes, if it's unhappy with its current spot, it can use its pedal disc and tentacles to relocate within the tank. Leaving generous clearance around it helps prevent it from bumping into other livestock or equipment after a move.
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