The Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone is generally regarded as the most beautiful anemone colour morph available. They are a combination of shades of green and orange with a distinctive “bubble” at the tip of each tentacle. Its tentacles tend to be green near the base and have orange bubbles. The tips of some specimens may even appear to be pink. They grow moderately fast and can reach sizes of one foot in diameter, although growing to this size is somewhat rare.
The Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone is found throughout Indonesia and the Great Barrier Reef. They are found at depths of up to 20 meters and use a pedal disc to attach to the reef rockscape, or even sometimes the live reef itself. In a home aquarium they require a similar environment and will generally attach itself to the rock in the bottom third of the tank. While a hobbyist can choose the initial placement for an anemone, they are capable of moving throughout the tank in search of the most ideal location. This means that the Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone (and all other anemones) must be monitored carefully to ensure that they do not sting corals.
The Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone requires moderate to high levels of light and moderate levels of flow. The coral’s trademark bubbles generally are more apparent under intense lighting. Higher levels of light also make the colours more vivid. Because it has the ability to move around the tank, it will generally find a spot with appropriate lighting and flow. Anemones contain the same photosynthetic algae as many other corals and are able to meet the majority of their energy needs by using the aquarium lighting. They should, however, be fed chunks of meaty foods or an anemone specific food such as Vitalis Anemone Pellet Food. An anemone that appears stringy may be in need of feeding. Larger specimens may also prey on smaller invertebrates that venture too close.
In the wild anemones, including the Bubble Tip, are known for their symbiotic relationship with clownfish. The anemone benefits from leftover food from the clownfish and the clownfish benefits from the protection of the anemone’s stinging tentacles. Clownfish have evolved to not be harmed by these tentacles. While an anemone can be housed without a clownfish, and vice versa, having both in the tank allows the hobbyist to view this unique symbiosis.
