Pink-Tipped Anemone
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Pink-Tipped Anemone - Pink Tip Anemone
Florida Pink-Tipped Anemone, Florida Condylactis Anemone
Condylactis passifloraPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More
We have a pink-tipped anemone at our business. I am not the one who takes care of the two tanks we have, however, I am trying to help find out what would cause it... (more) Adam Wuesthoff
The Pink-Tipped Anemone is a lot like its cousin, the Giant Golden Anemone, except the Pink Tip likes its water cool!
Contents:
Pink-Tipped Anemone FactsKeeping Pink-Tipped AnemoneThe Pink-Tipped Anemone Condylactis passiflora is almost a temperate anemone. It enjoys cooler temperatures of 68° - 75° F (20° - 24° C), so a chiller is a must to keep it in reef tanks in warmer climates. This attractive Florida Condylactis Anemone is more pink in hue than its cousin the Giant Golden Anemone C. gigantea, and does not require as much feeding due to the cooler water.
With their range extending from Brazil to Bermuda in the Western Atlantic Ocean, the Condylactis Anemones are known as the Atlantic Anemone, the Haitian Reef Anemone, and the Caribbean Anemone. Like the Golden Giant Anemone, the Pink-Tipped Anemone's range also extends into the Caribbean and down to Brazil. However, the Pink-Tipped Anemone is said to be primarily collected from Florida, while the C. gigantea is usually collected from areas outside of Florida. Consequently this Condy is also called the Florida Condylactis Anemone, Florida Pink-Tipped Anemone, Florida Condy, and Florida Condi Anemone. Some other fun names for its appearance include the Purple-Tipped Sea Anemone, Purple Passion Flower, Hybrid Passionflower, and Passion Flower.
The Pink-Tipped Anemone is one of the most familiar and commonly available of the anemones in the aquarium trade. Its beautiful colors and inexpensive price make it a popular anemone, especially for beginners. It can grow very large, so will need plenty of space to grow. Though its body only gets to about the size of a tennis ball, it has tentacles that can extend over 6", so it can reach about 20" when fully inflated.
The Condy Anemones are hardy aquarium anemones, but this sea anemone species still needs bright light to do well in the aquarium. Like all sea anemones they are photosynthetic and need light to keep the zooxanthelle that lives within their body tissue alive. The Condylactis Anemone has been known to deflate at times. This is normal if it happens once every few weeks, but no more than that. This behavior, the sea anemone purging, may indicate a water change is needed.
The Condylactis Anemones use their venomous cells, the nematocysts found in their tentacles, to sting their prey and to deflect any attacks. In general, this anemone is more like a predatory anemone and will move all over the tank. As this anemone does eat fish, it is risky to allow it to host a Clown Fish, especially since Clownfish are not found in the Western Atlantic Ocean. However this anemone does have a really interesting symbiotic relationship with Cardinalfish, Cleaner Shrimp (the Atlantic specimens), Arrow Crabs, and Emerald Crabs. Just give these tank mates a little time to acclimate and you've got best friends for life.
For more about the types of Sea Anemone Species, see:
Sea Anemone - Tube Anemone
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Pink-Tipped Anemone - Quick Aquarium Care
- Size of organizm - inches: 20.0 inches (50.80 cm)
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
- Diet Type: Carnivore
- Minimum Tank Size: 50 gal (189 L)
- Suitable for Nano Tank: No
- Temperature: 68.0 to 75.0° F (20.0 to 23.9° C)
- Temperament: Aggressive
Habitat: Distribution / Background
Sea Anemone Facts: The Pink-Tipped Anemone or Florida Pink-Tipped Anemone Condylactis passiflora was described by Weinland in 1860. The Condylactis genus is a member of the Actiniidae family. Some names they are known for are Atlantic Anemone, Caribbean Anemone, Haitian Reef Anemone, Condy, Florida Pink-Tipped Anemone, Florida Condylactis Anemone, Florida Condy, Florida Condi Anemone, Pink Tip Anemone, Hybrid Passionflower, Passion Flower, Passionflower, Pink Tip Anemone, Purple Passion Flower, and Purple-Tipped Sea Anemone. The Condylactis passiflora is not on the IUCN Red List for endangered species.
Where are Sea Anemones Found: The Condylactis passiflora is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean from Brazil to Bermuda and in the Caribbean.
Sea Anemone Habitat: They are found at depths of 0-90 feet (30m) in rocky crevices in shallow waters such as in inner reefs and lagoons. They are found alone or in small loose groupings.
- Scientific Name: Condylactis passiflora
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
Appearance of a Sea Anemone: The Pink-Tipped Anemone C. passiflora is similar, but a bit more pink in hue, than the Giant Golden Anemone C. gigantea. It can be several colors including pink, purple, gold, white, green and peach. They mostly have white or cream tentacles that are either tipped in one of these colors, or just a small dot on the end of each tentacle. Their tentacles are spaced and considerably thicker at the bottom, then tapering near the tip. Their 'foot' or pedal column, is a sticky foot that they use to adhere to various surfaces. They also use this "foot" to move around. The foot can be shades of yellow, brick-red, or bluish gray.
The mouth should be closed and tight, and will open when hungry, having an oval look, yet a gaping mouth is a warning signal. The Condylactis passiflora takes food in, and expels waste through this same opening. To defend themselves or if water quality is not to their liking, they will fold up into a ball. Like most sea anemone species, they have an algae called zooxanthellae living in their tissue. They are photosynthetic and need light to keep the zooxanthelle alive in their body.
Sea Anemones Life Cycles: They can grow up to 20", but it is unknown how long they live. Some anemones can be hundreds of years old in the wild, and in captivity have been known to last 80 years or more. The Condylactis Anemone has also been known to split in captivity, thus reproducing.
- Size of organizm - inches: 20.0 inches (50.80 cm)
- Lifespan: - It is unknown how long they live. Some anemones can be hundreds of years old in the wild, and in captivity have been known to last 80 years or more.
Sea Anemone Care: The Florida Pink-Tipped Anemone can be moderately hard to care for because they do have lighting needs and must be in a large enough aquarium to satisfy their ultimate size. They do not tolerate the higher temperatures in the upper 70°s (21° C), with their maximum being 75° F (24° C). Putting an anemone in a new tank will result in failure. The tank should be at least 4 months old and stable before adding your new C. passiflora anemone.
When choosing your Florida Condylactis Anemone, make sure the color is good, their mouth is not gaping open, and their foot and tentacles are sticky to the touch. Also, they should be attached to something and make sure there is no damage to the foot area, often a result of pulling the anemone off its surface.
To take a C. passiflora anemone from another aquarium, use a thin blunt item like a credit card, gently wiggle it under the foot, and slowly nudge it away from the glass. If it's attached to a rock, ideally you can simply purchase the rock as well. If you cannot purchase the rock then directing water at it or wiggling the rock gently upside down under water while tickling the foot can work.
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Difficult
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner - Beginner to intermediate.
What Do Sea Anemones Eat: The Pink-Tipped Anemone is a carnivore. Feed your Florida Condy chopped silversides, shrimp, krill, and mussels, fresh chopped fish (from your grocery store), as well as frozen carnivore preparations. Feed once a week or less. Since this is a cooler water anemone, their metabolism is much slower than the more tropical sea anemones.
- Diet Type: Carnivore
- Meaty Food: All of Diet - They can be fed chopped silversides, shrimp, krill, and mussels, fresh chopped fish (from your grocery store), as well as frozen carnivore preparations.
- Feeding Frequency: Weekly
Water changes of 10% bi-monthly or 20% a month are typical. Monitor your water quality for your particular situation and adjust your water changes accordingly. One average sized Condy Anemone is equal to 4 or more fish as far as waste production is concerned. Purigen and Poly-fiber are great products to help in maintaining water quality. Purigen is a synthetic polymer that removes soluble and insoluble impurities from water at an exceptionally high rate and capacity, helping to control ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Additions of Iodine and and trace elements are suggested.
The Condylactis Anemone has been known to deflate at times. This is normal if it happens once every few weeks, but no more than that. The anemone is actually purging and taking in what it thinks will be "fresh" water. So when this happens, a water change may be in order.
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly
- Iodine Levels: - Additions of Iodine and and trace elements are suggested.
The typical reef environment is what is needed for your Pink-Tipped Anemone. Live rock and a sand/reef environment is typical of the Western Atlantic.They need live rock or some other solid material they can attach to. Be sure to have all of your pumps covered, most good quality pumps have guards on them and are worth the investment. Because this anemone will move about, you will want to provide foam filters over any power head intakes.
- Minimum Tank Size: 50 gal (189 L)
- Suitable for Nano Tank: No
- Live Rock Requirement: Typical Amount
- Substrate Type: Sand
- Lighting Needs: High - Strong lighting - Moderate to high. Coming from shallow waters in the wild, these anemones will do their best with stronger lighting.
- Temperature: 68.0 to 75.0° F (20.0 to 23.9° C)
- Specific gravity: 1.023-1.025 SG
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: Bottom - Generally the bottom of the aquarium, though this sea anemone will move around.
The Condy Anemone is an aggressive anemone because it will move around the tank and sting all fish and corals in its way. After splitting, anemones will tolerate their own "clones" and sometimes their own species. Like all animals, they will compete for space, so this needs to be taken into consideration. In the wild they are often a host to a variety of commensal shrimp.
Allowing your Florida Condylactis Anemone to play host to a Clownfish is a big gamble, especially since Clown Fish are not found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, and these anemones do eat fish. What is interesting is that they have symbiotic relationships with the Arrow Crab Stenorhynchus seticornis, Atlantic Cleaner Shrimp Periclimenes anthophilus, and juvenile Cardinalfish Apogon spp. Some have even noticed Arrow Crabs and Emerald Crabs buddying up with the C. passiflora. Try natural symbionts and watch that interesting relationship for yourself!
- Venomous: Yes
- Temperament: Aggressive
- Compatible with:
- Same species - conspecifics: Sometimes
- Anemones: Monitor
- Mushroom Anemones - Corallimorphs: Monitor
- Leather Corals: Monitor
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Monitor
- Starfish: Monitor
- Crabs: Monitor
No sexual difference in appearance is known.
Anemones in general can multiply by sexual and asexual means. One way is using fission, which is when they actually split in half from the foot or mouth to form a clone, although the clone is its own animal, similar to twins. They will also reproduce using male and female sex glands or find another anemone of the opposite sex. This results in the production of ciliated planula larvae. This planula will eventually fall to the sea floor, develop a pedal disk, then begin to grow into a new anemone.
The C. passiflora anemone is known to reproduce in captivity, but there is not much information on breeding these anemones. Propagating is fairly easy, yet risky. Based on success with the Bubble Tip Anemone, the procedure may be similar and is as follows:
- Your anemone must be in good health.
- It is always best to have done a large water change to your main tank before propagation.
- Remove the animal to a clean, non-slippery and damp surface, mouth side up.
- Using sharp scissors or a scalpel, cut the anemone in half right down the center, through the mouth. This results in 2 equal halves.
- If it is attached to a rock, another method is to just cut though the center of the mouth on one side only (do this long-ways, running with the length of the mouth) encouraging the anemone to finish the "split".
- Place your 2 halves in a moderately sized "recovery" tank. Use the same water as the main display (as you did a large water change, you would use this cleaner water).
- Then do 20% water changes a few days after after this little surgery.
- If they were on a rock, put that same rock in the recovery tank for them to reattach to.
If your tank is very large, over 100 gallons, then a 30-40% water change before the cut will help in recovery. Place them back on their favorite rock if they detached, since this will encourage reattachment. It would be prudent to wash your hands if you didn't use gloves. Within a few days your anemone should have started to wrap around and heal itself. Do not feed or bother it during this time and keep Clown fish away, if you have any in your tank.
- Ease of Breeding: Moderate
Problems for the Pink-Tipped Anemone are pretty minimal unless your lighting, water movement, feeding and water quality are low. Then your anemone will detach to look for "better conditions." This usually results in an unpleasant experience with a water pump.
Buy A Sea Anemone: The Pink-Tipped Anemone, Florida Pink-Tipped Anemone or Florida Condy C. passiflora is easy to find in stores and online and is fairly inexpensive. The cost online starts at about $8 USD, and goes up depending on size and color.
- Animal-World References: Marine and Reef
- Ronald L. Shimek, Guide to Marine Invertebrates: 500+ Essential-to-Know Aquarium Species, Microcosm, 2005
- Anthony Calfo, Book of Coral Propagation, Volume 1 Edition 2: Reef Gardening for Aquarists, Reading Trees; 2 edition, 2007
- Alf Jacob Nilsen and Svein A. Fossa, Reef Secrets: Starting Right, Selecting Fishes & Invertebrates, Advanced Biotope Techniques, T.F.H Publications inc., 2003
- Marianna Zahra, Dr. James B. Wood, Editor, Marine Invertebrates of Bermuda, Giant Caribbean Sea Anemone (Condylactis gigantea), Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, 2004-2008
- Tropical Fish Information, Condy Anemone, FishLore.com, 2007
- Bob Goemans, Pink-tip Anemone, Saltwatercorner.com
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