Chicago Sunburst Bubble Tip Anemone

Entacmaea quadricolor

A named, tank-raised morph. “Chicago Sunburst” is a trade name for a captive-propagated colour form of the Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) — not a separate species. Being aquacultured rather than wild-collected, it generally ships and settles better than imported stock and puts no pressure on wild reefs. Do bear in mind that anemone colour responds to lighting, flow and feeding, so a morph can shift somewhat once it is in your tank.

Identification	One of the longest-established named morphs in the hobby — a deep red to maroon body carrying tentacles tipped in vivid yellow-green, radiating out in the sunburst pattern the name refers to. The contrast between dark base and bright tips is the signature.
Maximum Length	to about 12″ across
Origin	Aquacultured / tank-raised (the species is Indo-Pacific)
Minimum Tank Size	30 Gal. (mature, at least six months established)
Reef Compatibility	Reef safe with caution

Behavior

Hosts clownfish readily and is the classic anemone for them. A settled bubble tip will wander until it finds light and flow it likes, then anchor its foot deep in the rockwork — and a happy, well-fed one will eventually split, giving you a second animal from the same clone.

Diet & Feeding

Photosynthetic through its zooxanthellae, and a strong feeder besides. Target-feed small pieces of mysis, shrimp or fish once or twice a week to drive growth and colour; well-fed anemones split sooner.

Cautions

Only for a mature, stable tank — six months minimum, with strong lighting and clean water. It will wander until settled and can sting corals it touches, so leave room around it. Screen every powerhead intake, since a wandering anemone shredded by a pump can foul the whole tank. A retracted, gaping or detached anemone is a warning sign, not a phase.