North-east Atlantic coasts including the British Isles, and the Mediterranean, in rock pools and on the shore
Water
saltwater
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate; not reliant on strong light
Flow
Moderate
Care
The beadlet anemone is a small, smooth anemone common on British rocky shores. It is usually deep red, but green, brown and orange forms occur. Out of water it pulls in its tentacles and looks like a blob of jelly; around the top of the column is a ring of blue beads (acrorhagi). Neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists this species; the figures are general guidance for the genus, not from a source. It is a temperate species and needs a coldwater marine tank, kept cool all year (generally below about 18 °C) and never at tropical reef temperatures, usually with a chiller. Place it on rock in a coldwater tank with moderate flow; it is hardy and easy to keep given the right temperature. If you collect from the shore, check local rules first, as some sites are protected, and take only a few. Sources: none found on LiveAquaria or Top Shelf Aquatics; general reef-keeping guidance. Checked October 2026.
Diet
Carnivore: feed small pieces of mussel, prawn, fish or frozen mysis once or twice a week.
Breeding
It broods young inside its body and releases small, fully formed juveniles, so a well-kept beadlet may produce babies in the tank.
Compatibility and tank mates
Beadlets fight each other with the stinging blue beads below the tentacles, so give each one space. Keep it with other coldwater marine animals only; it can catch very small fish and shrimp.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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