Mertens' carpet anemone
Stichodactyla mertensii
Family : Stichodactylidae
Very large carpet anemone, up to 50 cm, with a disc covered in short tentacles. Highly sought after for large aquariums.
Description
Stichodactyla mertensii has a large, flat oral disc densely covered with short, rounded tentacles, giving it a carpet-like appearance. Color ranges from brown to green, sometimes with purple hues. It lives on reef flats, often exposed to strong currents. It is highly aggressive toward other cnidarians. It hosts many clownfish species, including Amphiprion ocellaris and A. percula. Its sting is powerful.
Habitat
Region :
Coral reefs, reef flats
Distribution :
Recommended parameters
Care
Care notes
Temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025. High lighting (powerful LED or metal halide) and moderate to strong flow. Minimum tank volume 300 L, ideally 500 L. Feed twice a week with pieces of fish, shrimp or squid. Requires very stable water and strong filtration. Nitrates should stay below 10 ppm. Avoid placing near other corals. Compatible with clownfish and robust fish.
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