Fun Long Tentacle Anemone Facts For Kids

The long tentacle anemone (Macrodactyla doreensis) is also known as the corkscrew anemone or the tentacle red base anemone and it is an ideal pet to keep in your aquarium. They have plenty of different names such as long tentacle red base anemone, long-tentacled anemone, peppermint anemone, corkscrew tentacle sea anemone, noodle anemone, snaky sea anemone, red base anemone, and hexacoral, sand anemone.

There are a lot of different colored anemones, such as the blue long tentacle anemone and the purple long tentacle anemone, to name a couple. These species can be semi-aggressive and their mouth is like an oral disc at the top.  The minimum tank size for a long tentacle anemone should be 30 gal (136.4 L) and the bottom of the aquarium should have at least 1 ft (30.5 cm) of sand.

Keep on reading to learn more about long tentacle anemones. For more relatable content, check out these sea anemone facts and sea squirt facts for kids.

What type of animal is a long tentacle anemone?

The long tentacle anemone (Macrodactyla doreensis), also known as the corkscrew anemone or sand anemone, is a type of marine animal. They are a similar species to jellyfish.

What class of animal does a long tentacle anemone belong to?

The class of animal that this anemone belongs to is Anthozoa.

How many long tentacle anemones are there in the world?

The exact number of long tentacle anemones (sand anemones) living in this world is not currently known.

Where does a long tentacle anemone live?

The long tentacle anemone lives in the ocean. It is found in the Pacific Ocean near the Phillippines.

What is a long tentacle anemone's habitat?

The long tentacle anemone lives in the ocean under a live rock. Since the natural habitat of the corkscrew anemone is being destroyed, they are often kept in aquariums of a minimum tank size of 60 gal (272.8 L) too. There should be moderate to high lighting and a moderate water flow in their aquarium and there should be no trace elements of phosphate in the aquarium or tank. It is sometimes good to keep clownfish in the tank with these anenomes, but it is not a guarantee that the long tentacle anemone will like this fish's company.

Who do long tentacle anemones live with?

This species of red base anemone has an oral disc-shaped mouth and is semi-aggressive. However, if they like a fish, they serve as a host for it. They mostly serve as a home for clownfish and they also co-exist with corals in the reef. Since corals are being destroyed around the world it would be best not to buy these in a bid to mimic the reef environment in your aquarium or tank.  

How long does a long tentacle anemone live?

These species of anemone can survive until the age of 80 years. In captivity, their survival rate is high.

How do they reproduce?

Long tentacle anemones and similar anemones reproduce by releasing sperm and eggs through their tentacles into the water. The fertilized egg then lands on the sand, and that is where the anemone grows to adulthood.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the long tentacle anemone that is often found living near corals is currently Not Evaluated in the IUCN Red List. So, it can be assumed that there is no immediate risk to their population.

What do long tentacle anemones look like?

The white long tentacle anemone and has an oral disc as a mouth. They, along with similar anemones, like to stay under a live rock in the ocean or in an aquarium or tank. They have long tentacles that also serve as a warning for other fish not to come near them. There should be sufficient to moderate lighting in their aquarium or tank.

How cute are they?

Like the Irukandji jellyfish, the long tentacle anemone is extremely colorful and a pleasure to the eyes. However, its long tentacles can be a bit intimidating.

How do they communicate?

They do not communicate with each other using their tentacles. In the reef, they move their tentacles to sense danger, but if their long tentacles are touched by another anemone they tend not to react.

How big is a long tentacle anemone?

The average long tentacle anemone size can be up to 19.7 in (50 cm). The body size is quite big and bigger than that of a moon jellyfish.

How fast can a long tentacle anemone move?

The long tentacle anemone does not move from where it grows, but its tentacles flow according to the current of the ocean. They do not change location from where they grow.  

How much does a long tentacle anemone weigh?

An adult can weigh up to 440 lb (199.6 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names give to a male or female long tentacle anemone.

What would you call a baby long tentacle anemone?

There is no specific name given to a long tentacle anemone's baby.

What do they eat?

The long tentacle anemone (clownfish host) normally will eat algae, but they can also eat small meaty fish as well. They are considered to be a carnivore. Long tentacle anemones host clownfish and thus these fish sometimes give the anemone small fish or shrimp to eat. But the anemone is capable of getting its own food using its tentacles. The long tentacle anemone is normally kept in a fish tank as a pet so it would be best to give some meaty fish when feeding it in captivity.

Are they dangerous?

Yes, they can be dangerous as their tentacles can sting when they detect danger.

Would they make a good pet?

They make a great pet in an aquarium. The long tentacle anemone comes in many different colors (purple, blue, white, and more) and sometimes lives well alongside other fish. They like moderate lighting and feeding them is easy. Their diet has to include meaty shrimp and fish. When feeding this anemone you have to be careful as they sting.

Did you know...

A long tentacle anemone can cost up to $35. They tend to like to live near a rock and their food requirements are pretty simple as they are not hunters. Sometimes this anemone will host a clownfish.

Being deflated for more than three days can be a sign of a dying long tentacle anemone. You should regularly check on your long tentacle anemone to ensure that it remains healthy in captivity.

Long tentacle anemone care

It is important to keep moderate lighting in a tank when keeping a long tentacle anemone. They are normally found in a reef in shallow ocean water regions. They can stay in a freshwater tank, but you have to make sure that their diet is closely followed and that they are placed in the center or a corner of the tank. Long tentacle anemone placement can be tricky, but remember not to touch their tentacles as they sting! You can keep other fish with this anemone, but it is preferred that you keep a clownfish as the clownfish provides food in exchange for shelter in the wild and thus these species live well together. The body of the anemone can grow quite big in size so make sure you have a sufficiently big aquarium of 60 gal (272.8 L) in size at least.

Will a clownfish host a long tentacle anemone?

Yes, a clownfish will host a long tentacle anemone as the clownfish will feed them shrimps and other crustaceans. This is a mutually beneficial relationship. The average long tentacle anemone size is big so they have important food and diet requirements that must be met in order to prevent a long tentacle anemone dying.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other Anthozoa from our giant green anemone surprising facts and brain coral fun facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable long tentacle anemone coloring pages.