Pizza anemone (Cryptodendrum adhaesivum) care guide

Group

Corals

Other names

Adhesive anemone, Sticky anemone

Family

Thalassianthidae

Origin

Indo-Pacific and Red Sea; shallow reef flats, in crevices

Water

saltwater

Temperature

22–26°C

pH

8.1–8.4

Hardness

dKH 8–12

Care level

expert

Reef safe

with_caution

Lighting

Moderate to high

Flow

Medium

Care

A flat, carpet-like anemone with very short, sticky tentacles; the disc edge is often a different colour from the centre, which gives the "pizza" look. Colours include green, yellow, pink and blue. It clings strongly to anything it touches. Neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists this species; the figures are general guidance for the genus, not from a source. Placement: wedged among rocks or in crevices on the lower rockwork. Light and flow: moderate to high light and medium flow. Water: a mature, stable reef; it is rarely kept and hard to keep long term. Sources: none (neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists it). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic plus small meaty foods placed on the disc.

Breeding

Not propagated in captivity.

Compatibility and tank mates

Anemones walk around until they find a spot they like, and can sting corals on the way or get pulled into pump intakes. Cover all intakes and powerheads with foam or guards, and do not keep it with corals you value unless there is plenty of room. It sometimes hosts Clark's clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii). Its sticky tentacles can capture small fish.

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