Long Tentacle Anemone

The Long-Tentacled Anemone ( Macrodactyla doreensis (LTA)) is native to the Indo-Pacific. Its long, slender tentacles—often pink, white, or orange—which can reach 15–20 cm in length, give it a graceful appearance in the current. It is a natural host for several species of clownfish.

Requirements

• Lighting: strong to very strong — minimum 200 PAR
• Water flow: moderate, non-directional
• Temperature: 25–27°C stable — Salinity: 1.025–1.026 stable
• pH: 7.8–8.4 (normal natural day/night fluctuation in a reef tank)
• Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH — Calcium: 400–450 ppm
• Sandy substrate required — minimum 5–7 cm
• Mature tank — minimum 6–12 months

Behavior

Buries itself at the base in the sandy substrate — a major difference from Entacmaea quadricolor . Can move slowly. Stinging tentacles.

Compatibility

Natural host of Amphiprion clarkii , A. ocellaris , A. percula . Incompatible with butterflyfish.