Anemone

Select an anemone by its mature size, attachment needs and feeding requirements before choosing a color. Bubble tips, carpets and rock flowers create very different displays, and a small specimen can eventually need considerable clearance. Anemones can sting nearby animals and move away from their original position, so leave space around corals and protect pump and filter intakes.

Use an established marine system with stable salinity and temperature. Photosynthetic anemones require suitable lighting as well as appropriately sized meaty foods; lighting strength and flow should match the species. Offer manageable portions, watch for acceptance, and remove rejected food before it degrades water quality.

If the aim is a clownfish partnership, check the natural host relationship for both species rather than expecting any clownfish to adopt any anemone. Persistent wandering, bleaching, loss of attachment or a repeatedly gaping mouth warrants prompt attention to the animal and its water conditions. Avoid damaging the foot when positioning or transferring it.