© RevolverOcelot / CC BY-SA 3.0Rock Flower Anemone
The rock flower anemone is a striking reef anemone native to sandy seabeds in the Caribbean. Its oral disc, which can reach up to about 15 cm across, is ringed with roughly 200 short tentacles, and body coloration varies enormously between individuals, with greens, reds, purples, and yellows all common. It lives with its column buried in the sand, but it can move around, so it is wise to keep it well spaced from other corals. It is generally considered easy to keep, making it a popular choice for reef keepers who want a splash of anemone color.
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Rock Flower Anemone key facts
- Care level
- Beginner-friendly
- Size
- Oral disc up to about 15cm across
- Temperature
- 24〜27℃
- Diet
- Photosynthesis via zooxanthellae plus meaty foods
- Lighting
- It holds zooxanthellae, so give moderate to strong light; colour depends on light level.
- Flow & Placement
- Low to moderate flow. It buries its column, so provide a deep sand bed or a crevice in live rock.
- Water Temperature & Quality
- 24-27 C and 1.022-1.025 specific gravity. It keeps well long term in stable water.
- Feeding
- Feed minced fish, shrimp or pellets to the oral disc once or twice weekly.
- Notes
- The sting is not severe, but it can move, so leave space between it and other corals.
About Rock Flower Anemone
A guide to the rock flower anemone, a Caribbean sand-dwelling anemone known for its wide color variation and beginner-friendly care, popular for adding vivid color to reef tanks.
7 things to know before welcoming a Rock Flower Anemone
1Give It Sand or a Live Rock Crevice
Rock flower anemones bury their column in sand. Provide a thick sand bed, or place the anemone in a crevice of live rock, so that it can settle its column comfortably.
2Coloration Varies by Individual
Body color varies widely between individuals, spanning green, red, purple, and yellow. How well the color shows depends on light intensity, so pay attention to your lighting.
3It May Move Around
It lives with its column buried in sand, but it can move. Allow for the possibility that it will shift after placement, and keep a gap so it does not touch other corals.
4Beginner-Friendly Difficulty
Among anemones, this species is considered relatively easy to keep. That said, it is sensitive to sudden water quality changes, so keep water changes on a steady schedule.
5Mind the Distance from Tankmates
Its tentacles can irritate nearby corals or fish if they make contact. Give it enough distance from other tankmates when choosing a placement.
6Plan Tank Space for Its Size
The oral disc can expand to roughly 15 cm across at its largest, so leave enough room in your tank layout to accommodate its full size.
7Check Condition Before Bringing Home
Look for a specimen with a fully expanded oral disc and firm, extended tentacles. It is best to avoid individuals with a shriveled or damaged column.
Frequently asked questions about Rock Flower Anemone
- Q.Can beginners keep a rock flower anemone?
- A.It is considered beginner-friendly and relatively easy to keep. Even so, it's important to avoid sudden water quality changes and maintain a stable environment.
- Q.Can its color change over time?
- A.This species shows very large color variation, and how well its color shows depends on light intensity. Its shade can change with lighting and environment, so provide moderate to strong lighting and observe how it responds.
- Q.Can it be kept with corals or fish?
- A.Contact between its tentacles and other livestock can sometimes cause problems, so keep some distance when placing it. Adjust your layout based on how it interacts with its surroundings.
- Q.How large does it grow?
- A.The oral disc can reach roughly 15 cm across at maximum. It's a good idea to leave enough space in your tank layout to accommodate this.
- Q.Is it subject to CITES?
- A.The rock flower anemone is not subject to CITES.
Useful tools for Rock Flower Anemone care
Learn more about Rock Flower Anemone in the encyclopedia
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Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.
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