However carpet anemones are very challenging to maintain in the home aquarium and few hobbyists are able to attain long term success.
Gigantea carpet anemone.
The giant carpet anemone stichodactyla gigantea was described by forsskål in 1775.
While not necessary in captivity pairing a host anemone with a clownfish is one of the most striking displays in the hobby.
Some other names they are known for are gigantic sea anemone carpet anemone and giant anemone.
They are capable of stinging and semi aggressive so should be kept away from other anemones and corals.
The stichodactyla genus is a member of the stichodactylidae family and this genus contains 6 species.
Stichodactyla spp anemones otherwise known as carpet anemones are fascinating creatures and highly sought after by hobbyists.
Big beautiful and deadly.
The blue morph of stichodactyla gigantea in the wild.
This colorful anemone is also referred to as haddon s anemone or saddle carpet.
Red carpet anemone or giant anemone are one of the largest of the anemones available in the aquarium industry.
Saddle carpet anemones have short blunt tentacles with a very potent sting and can be distinguished from their close relatives stichodactyla gigantea and stichodactyla mertensii by the lack of any coloration spots or markings on the underside of the anemone and down its column.
The true carpet anemone has a wavy appearance and lives singly in the shallow waters of the central pacific indo pacific and red sea.
Red carpet anemone stichodactyla gigantea is also known as the giant anemone giant carpet anemone or giant red carpet anemone it s the rarest of its species and have a higher price tag than other giant saddle anemones.
For that reason extreme care should be taken when keeping a gigantea carpet anemone in an aquarium with other anemones.
By mike maddox.
This colorful anemone is also referred to as haddon s anemone saddle anemone saddle carpet anemone or saddleback anemone.
It can be kept in an aquarium but is a very challenging species to keep alive and healthy for more than 3 5 years.
Stichodactyla gigantea commonly known as the giant carpet anemone is a species of sea anemone that lives in the indo pacific area.
Normally found on rocky reefs with soft muddy or sandy substrate it can attain a size of up to three feet in diameter.
Once thought to be the purview of only the experienced aquarist today s aquarium technology makes it possible for a novice with an established tank at least four to six months old to successfully keep an anemone.
This is nota gigantea.