Mertens' Carpet Anemone

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific. It lives anchored to rocky substrates and crevices in shallow coral reefs, spreading its flat disc over the bottom.

Taxonomy: Belongs to the Stichodactylidae family. It is the largest anemone species, reaching up to 3-5 feet in diameter, covered in short, sticky tentacles.

Social Behavior: Sessile but capable of slow locomotion. Establishes symbiotic relationships with several clownfish species (e.g. Amphiprion ocellaris) for mutual protection.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The oral disc is usually brown, tan, or green, often showing bright orange spots on the underside of the column. No sexual dimorphism exists.

Tank Setup: Requires a giant aquarium (120+ gallons) with stable live rock structures. Should be introduced first to allow it to settle before adding corals.

Diet and Feeding: Photosynthetic under high lighting, but benefits from regular target feeding of chopped shrimp, krill, or fresh fish flesh 1-2 times weekly.

Water Quality: Demands pristine marine water: temperature 23-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4, SG 1.023-1.025. Absolutely zero tolerance for ammonia and copper.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Highly aggressive with a potent sting that kills corals. Can prey on slow-moving fish. Highly recommended to house with hosting clownfish.

Aquarium Breeding: Natural reproduction in home aquaria is exceptionally rare, occasionally occurring via asexual fragmentation or fission.

Risks and Diseases: Rapid decline if subjected to salinity drops. Copper is highly lethal. Can walk into powerheads or filters if not protected.