SEBAE ANEMONE CARE OVERVIEW

• LIGHT: MODERATE-HIGH (150-250 par) is what we find best although other recommendations may be to blast them with light. We have found they tend to prefer the light a little more on the moderate side. Overall these anemones seem adaptable to a variety of lighting conditions. You can learn more about Lighting and it's overall impact on your reef tank in our article Lighting and your Reef Tank

• FOOD: We haven't noticed that any specific feeding strategy is required for these anemones but they are aggressive eaters and will benefit greatly from spot feeding meaty foods like mysis or brine. Like most anemones they capture nutrients from the water and will do best when supplied a healthy amount of food. Our method is high import, high export. You can learn more about Feeding and Filtration in our article Feeding, Filtration and your Reef Tank.

• FLOW: LOW-MODERATE. When acclimating them we recommend killing the flow makers for a bit so they can bury their foot and attach safely without getting tossed around. Too much flow, especially direct flow, can cause damage to the coral's tissue or an inability to capture food. You can read more about Flow and its overall impact on your reef tank in our article Flow and your Reef Tank

• DIFFICULTY: MODERATE. These are not the most difficult anemones to care for but there are some considerations to make. They are susceptible to infections during transit, and can move about the aquarium when they decide a change of scenery is in order. This means all flow makers should be guarded or the aquarium should be designed with these animals in mind.  Anemones do not consume Alkalinity and Calcium and do not lay a calcium carbonate skeleton and so these parameters will not require extreme maintenance to keep anemones successfully. Like with all corals, specimens have been seen to do well in captivity when the right combination of Food/Light/Flow and Filtration are achieved. 

• PRICE: LOW-MODERATE. Sebae's are very affordable anemones, are often sold in large sizes, and can make a striking edition to the right reef tank! They also host clownfish which the symbiotic relationship is breathtaking to behold. 

• COLLECTION ZONE: Indo-Pacific

• SCIENTIFIC NAME: Heteractis crispa, commonly known as a “Sebae anemone” or “Leather anemone,” belongs to the Stichodactylidae family.
  

• AGGRESSION: MODERATE. Although typically they do not pose a threat to healthy fish, they will take advantage of any meaty foods that comes there way such as sick or otherwise unhealthy fish, sea horses, or shrimp.

• NATURAL TEMPERATURE: 82 °F / 28 °C  although most corals can adapt and survive in temps as low as 77 degrees and as high as 84 degrees. You can read more about temperature and how it affects your reef tank in our article Temperature and your Reef Tank.

• PH: Recommend 8.0-8.4, we tend to run around 8.2-8.3 over 24 hours. You can read more about pH in our article pH and your Reef Tank

• NITRATE: 5-10, try to keep stable. You can read more about nitrate and our approach to maintaining it in our article Nutrients and your Reef Tank

• PHOSPHATE: 0.05-0.1, try to keep stable. You can read more about Phosphate and our approach to maintaining it in our article Nutrients and your Reef Tank

• ALKALINITY: While these are soft corals and are not consumers of calcium/alkalinity as they do not lay a calcium carbonate skeleton, we still recommend 8-9 dKh. You can read more about how we maintain our alkalinity in our article Alkalinity, Calcium and your Reef Tank

• CALCIUM: While these are soft corals and are not consumers of calcium/alkalinity as they do not lay a calcium carbonate skeleton, we still recommend 400-450 Calcium. You can read more about how we maintain our calcium in our article Alkalinity, Calcium and your Reef Tank
  

More About Sebae Anemones

Heteractis crispa, commonly known as a “Sebae anemone” or “Leather anemone,” belongs to the Stichodactylidae family. They are appropriately named for the powerful sting that they can deliver. The anemone’s delicate foot is located on the bottom. The foot has simple muscle fibers that help the anemone move and anchor onto rocks. This species of anemone can grow up to 12 inches in diameter. Sebae anemones are often found in shades of white, beige, brown, green, gray, and purple. Their tentacles are long and often end in a blue or purple spot. These particular anemones participate in the symbiotic relationship of hosting anemonefish that is often enjoyed by hobbyists.

Sebae Anemones require moderate to high lighting. We recommend between 150-250 PAR. These anemones also prefer moderate to higher water flow to assist in filter feeding particles of food. Bear in mind that anemones will often move themselves until they find an area with their preferred amount of flow and lighting. Please do not attempt to glue your anemone down. They need to be able to move. That said, try to place your anemone in a low area away from wavemakers and pumps. An anemone that gets sucked in, chopped up, and blown all over your tank could be a real problem.

Through their symbiotic relationship with a photosynthetic algae, known as zooxanthellae, they receive many of their nutrients. Sebae Anemones require targeted weekly feeding with meaty foods such as Mysis shrimp or frozen preparations. To maintain good health, monitor your water conditions regularly to avoid any major changes or swings in parameters. These anemones require good water quality.

When placing your Sebae Anemone, please remember that these animals will move to a spot in the tank that they deem best. Be sure to introduce your anemone to an area away from wavemakers, pumps, and corals that could be damaged. Whenever handling your carpet anemone, it is recommended that you wear protective gloves. The sting from these anemones can cause skin irritation and potentially lead to allergic reactions.