Corkscrew anemone (Bartholomea annulata) care guide

Group

Corals

Other names

Ringed anemone, Curleycue anemone

Family

Aiptasiidae

Origin

Tropical western Atlantic, including Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean

Water

saltwater

Temperature

22–26°C

pH

8.1–8.4

Hardness

dKH 8–12

Care level

beginner

Reef safe

with_caution

Lighting

Moderate

Flow

Moderate

Care

Bartholomea annulata is the corkscrew anemone, a Caribbean anemone with long, clear tentacles marked with spiralling white rings. It lives in crevices with only the tentacles showing and often hosts cleaner shrimp such as Pederson's shrimp. It is a cousin of the pest Aiptasia and can spread in a similar way, so it is best kept in a species or Caribbean biotope tank. Neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists this species; the figures are general guidance for the genus, not from a source. Placement: low on the rockwork with a crevice or hole for its foot, in moderate light and moderate flow. Water: typical reef parameters (about 22–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12). It is hardy. Anemones are not CITES-listed. Sources: general reef-keeping guidance only; neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists it. Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, plus small meaty foods (mysis, chopped shrimp) fed to the tentacles.

Breeding

It can reproduce by pedal laceration (pieces left behind from the foot grow into new anemones).

Compatibility and tank mates

Its sting hurts corals and small fish that touch it, and it can multiply. It does not host clownfish but hosts cleaner shrimp. Peppermint shrimp and some filefish may eat it.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.