Ultra Glow Tip Condylactis Anemone

Condylactis Anemones are attractive Caribbean anemones known for their long flowing tentacles, bold movement, and highly variable coloration. Also called Condy Anemones, Haitian Anemones, or Giant Caribbean Anemones, Condylactis gigantea may appear white, cream, tan, pink, purple, lavender, greenish, or golden, often with brightly colored pink, purple, orange, or magenta tentacle tips. These anemones can make beautiful display animals in mature saltwater aquariums, but they should be kept with caution due to their strong sting, potential to move, and risk of catching small fish or invertebrates. Unlike many popular host anemones, Condylactis Anemones are not natural clownfish hosts and should not be purchased specifically for clownfish pairing.

Introduction to Condylactis Anemone (Condylactis gigantea) — Colorful Caribbean Display Anemone & Strong-Stinging Reef Invertebrate

Condylactis Anemones (Condylactis gigantea) are large Caribbean sea anemones found in reef flats, lagoons, seagrass beds, rubble zones, and sandy or rocky coastal habitats. In the wild, they often anchor their foot into sand, rubble, mud, or crevices near hard substrate while extending their tentacles into the water column to capture food and receive light.

In the aquarium, this natural behavior gives important insight into their care. Condylactis Anemones require a mature system, strong lighting, moderate water flow, and a secure area where the foot can attach or bury. They may move if lighting, flow, water quality, or placement is unsuitable, so they should be given open space away from corals, clams, and other sessile invertebrates.

Care Requirements

Care Level: Moderate – Hardy once established, but requires stable conditions and proper placement
Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons, larger preferred for adult specimens
Aquarium Setup: Requires mature live rock, sand or rubble, strong lighting, moderate flow, stable parameters, and protected pump intakes

Condylactis Anemones should only be added to established aquariums with stable water quality. They may attach to rockwork, bury their foot near the sand-rock interface, or settle into rubble depending on the individual. Avoid placing them directly against corals, as their tentacles can extend farther than expected and may sting nearby animals.

Strong reef lighting is important because Condylactis Anemones contain symbiotic zooxanthellae that help provide energy through photosynthesis. Moderate, indirect flow is best. Flow should keep the tentacles gently moving without blasting the anemone or causing it to remain retracted.

Diet & Nutrition

Condylactis Anemones are photosynthetic carnivores that benefit from both strong lighting and regular meaty foods.

Diet: Photosynthetic Carnivore – Uses light for energy but also captures meaty foods
Recommended Foods:
Frozen mysis shrimp
Brine shrimp
Finely chopped shrimp
Chopped clam, squid, or fish
Small pieces of silversides or marine seafood
Prepared anemone or carnivore foods

Condylactis Anemones should be fed small, appropriately sized meaty foods once or twice per week once acclimated. Avoid feeding pieces that are too large, as oversized foods may be rejected or cause stress. A healthy specimen should have a sticky feeding response, inflated body, and extended tentacles under suitable conditions.

Lifespan & Growth Rate

Lifespan: Many years with proper care
Growth Rate: Moderate – Can develop a large oral disc and long tentacle spread over time

Condylactis Anemones can grow larger than many customers expect and should be placed with adult size in mind. Their tentacles may extend well beyond the base of the animal, so open space should be provided around the anemone to prevent stinging conflicts.

Temperament & Compatibility

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive – Strong sting and capable of damaging nearby corals or small animals
Reef Safe? With caution – Suitable for some reef aquariums, but may sting corals, clams, fish, shrimp, or other invertebrates within reach

Condylactis Anemones are not natural clownfish-hosting anemones. Some clownfish may attempt to associate with them in aquariums, but this is not guaranteed and may not always be safe. They should not be marketed as a dependable host anemone.

Avoid placing Condylactis Anemones near delicate corals, clam mantles, feather dusters, sponges, small ornamental shrimp, or slow-moving bottom-dwelling fish. They should also be kept away from butterflyfish, large angelfish, triggers, puffers, some wrasses, large crabs, and other animals that may pick at or damage anemones.

Common Challenges & Considerations

Not a Natural Clownfish Host: Condylactis Anemones should not be purchased specifically for clownfish pairing.
Strong Sting: Their tentacles can damage nearby corals, clams, fish, shrimp, or other invertebrates.
Can Move if Unhappy: If lighting, flow, placement, or water quality is unsuitable, the anemone may move through the aquarium.
Protect Powerheads: Cover wavemakers, overflow intakes, and pump openings to prevent injury if the anemone moves.
Requires Strong Lighting: Photosynthetic needs should be supported with appropriate reef lighting.
Needs Regular Feeding: Supplemental meaty foods help support long-term health and growth.
Coloration Can Vary: Specimens may appear white, cream, tan, pink, purple, lavender, greenish, golden, or tipped in pink, purple, orange, or magenta.
Sensitive to Copper: Like most marine invertebrates, Condylactis Anemones should never be exposed to copper-based medications.
Not for New Tanks: Newly established aquariums often lack the stability needed for long-term anemone health.

To prevent issues, add Condylactis Anemones only to mature aquariums, provide strong lighting and moderate indirect flow, protect pump intakes, allow room away from corals, and feed small meaty foods regularly.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 72-78°F
dKH Alkalinity: 8-12
pH: 8.1-8.4
Specific Gravity: 1.023-1.025