Giant carpet anemone (Stichodactyla gigantea) care guide

Group

Corals

Other names

Gigantea carpet anemone, Giant carpet

Family

Stichodactylidae

Origin

Indo-West Pacific and Red Sea, in shallow sandy lagoons and reef flats

Water

saltwater

Temperature

22–26°C

pH

8.1–8.4

Hardness

dKH 8–12

Care level

expert

Reef safe

with_caution

Lighting

High

Flow

Medium

Care

Stichodactyla gigantea is the giant carpet anemone, a large anemone with a broad, ruffled oral disc covered in short, very sticky tentacles. Colours include brown, green, blue and purple. It is a demanding animal for experienced keepers with large, mature tanks. LiveAquaria does not list it; the care below draws on its Haddon's carpet anemone listing (S. haddoni), a close relative. Placement: on the sand bed or low rock, where it can bury its foot; it may also attach to the glass. It needs high light and good flow. Water: about 22–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12, in a mature, stable system. Iodine, strontium and trace elements help. Many wild-caught specimens decline in captivity, so choose a healthy, well-coloured animal. Anemones are not CITES-listed. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/haddons-carpet-anemone). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, plus regular feeding (weekly or more) with chunks of fish, raw shrimp and other meaty marine foods.

Breeding

Not propagated by keepers; it does not split in aquariums.

Compatibility and tank mates

Aggressive: a strong sting that harms corals and other anemones (keep at least 30 cm from other anemones), and it can catch and eat fish other than clownfish. It hosts clownfish such as ocellaris and percula. It can cause a strong reaction in people, so handle with gloves.

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