Purple Tip Anemone (Condylactis gigantea)

The Purple Tip Anemone (Condylactis gigantea) is the showiest color form of the classic Caribbean Condy: long tapered tentacles in soft green and cream, each capped with a bright violet tip. It moves constantly in the current, grows to an impressive size, and stays one of the most affordable, forgiving anemones in the hobby. Browse the rest of our saltwater livestock while you plan its spot.

Please note: each anemone is a hand-picked individual, so the exact color and tip shade you receive may vary slightly from the photo. You are welcome to come see it in store.

Care Guide

Purple tips are cared for exactly like any Condylactis: stable, clean water, decent light, and an occasional meaty meal. They are a great way to learn anemone keeping before moving on to fussier host species.

• Minimum tank size: 30 gallons.
• Lighting: Moderate to high reef lighting keeps its zooxanthellae fed and the purple tips vivid.
• Flow: Moderate. Cover powerhead intakes, wandering anemones find them.
• Water: 75 to 80°F, specific gravity 1.023 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4, ammonia and nitrite at zero.
• Feeding: Offer a meaty bite (mysis, brine, chopped shrimp, or silverside pieces) once or twice a week alongside what it makes from light.
• Placement: It buries its foot in sand or tucks it into a rock crevice, then may relocate until it finds a spot it likes. Plan your aquascape with that in mind.

Specifications

Compatibility

Keep the Purple Tip with peaceful to moderately active fish that will respect its space: chromis, cardinalfish, gobies, blennies, and most wrasses do fine. Skip anemone-nibblers like large angelfish and butterflyfish, and do not count on a clownfish bonding with it. Because it wanders and stings, it is happiest in a fish-only or anemone-focused display rather than packed into a coral garden. Pair it with our classic Condylactis Anemone for a matched Caribbean display.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• SFBB Freeze Dried Mysis Shrimp for easy weekly feedings.
• A quality mix from our salt mixes and a kit from water testing to keep parameters steady.
• Browse our corals and anemones and the rest of our saltwater livestock.

FAQ

Is this the same species as the regular Condy?
Yes. The Purple Tip is a color form of Condylactis gigantea with extra pigment in the tentacle tips. Care is identical, the purple just makes it pop under reef lighting.

Will my clownfish host it?
Probably not. Clownfish and Condylactis never meet in the wild, and most clowns show no interest. Buy it for its own looks, not as a guaranteed host.

Is it reef safe?
With caution. The sting is stronger than most host anemones and it moves around, so keep it out of dense coral gardens or give corals a wide buffer.

What does it eat?
Light does most of the work through its zooxanthellae. Top it off with a meaty bite of mysis, brine shrimp, or chopped seafood once or twice a week.