Giant Carpet Anemone
Stichodactyla gigantea
A vast, velvety anemone that transforms any reef into a clownfish paradise.
About
The giant carpet anemone (Stichodactyla gigantea) is one of the largest anemone species you are likely to encounter in the hobby, and it lives up to its name by spreading out into a broad, rippled sheet of tentacles that can carpet a surprisingly wide patch of substrate. In the wild it ranges across Indo-Pacific reef flats and sandy lagoon areas, where it anchors its base into rubble or sand and unfurls fully under bright, shallow-water light. The tentacles are short and densely packed, giving the surface a velvety texture, and coloration runs from purple and green to brown or teal depending on the zooxanthellae living within its tissues. Like other large carpet anemones it is a natural host for several clownfish species, and watching a pair nestled inside one is a big part of its appeal. It is also worth knowing that the adhesive sting is notably stronger than many anemones, so handling bare-handed is a bad idea. Despite being listed as beginner-friendly, it still demands intense lighting, stable water quality, and regular feeding to truly thrive, so some basic reef-keeping experience will go a long way toward keeping this impressive animal healthy long-term.
Similar species
Other invertebrate you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Giant Carpet Anemone
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Giant Carpet Anemone aggressive?
- The Giant Carpet Anemone is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Giant Carpet Anemone eat?
- The Giant Carpet Anemone is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- Is the Giant Carpet Anemone reef safe?
- The Giant Carpet Anemone is generally considered reef safe.