Haitian Reef Anemone

Haitian Reef Anemone: The Aggressive Condy

The Haitian Reef Anemone (Condylactis gigantea), also widely known as the Pink-Tip Condy, Giant Caribbean Sea Anemone, or Florida Condy, is one of the most popular, yet highly mobile, sea anemones in the marine aquarium trade. Its striking appearance is characterized by long, thick, flowing tentacles that are typically a tan, white, or pale green color, often ending in a distinct, bright pink or purple tip.

Native to the Western Atlantic and Caribbean, this anemone is a large and aggressive predator. It can reach an impressive diameter of up to 16 inches (40 cm) in the wild, though it typically remains 12 inches or less in a home aquarium. Due to its size, powerful sting, and tendency to move around the tank, a minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons is recommended, with larger being significantly better for long-term stability and reef safety.

The Haitian Reef Anemone is generally not suitable for reef tanks containing delicate corals due to its strong sting and frequent movement. It is best housed in a dedicated Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) system where it cannot damage sensitive tankmates or corals.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This anemone is a Carnivore and is both photosynthetic and predatory. While it relies on light for energy (zooxanthellae), it requires regular supplemental feeding to maintain health and color.
• Feeding: It should be fed a large, meaty food item once or twice per week. Offer fresh, meaty foods such as chunks of mussel flesh, silversides, raw shrimp, or pieces of marine fish, placing the food directly onto the oral disc (mouth).
• Reef Compatibility: It is Not Reef Safe. This species will often detach and move across the rockwork, killing and dissolving any SPS or LPS corals in its path with its strong sting. It is also an active predator that will capture and consume ornamental shrimp and small, slow-moving fish.
• Temperament: It is Aggressive / Mobile. It is solitary and should only be kept with large, robust, and fast-moving fish that are too big to be eaten. Unlike some other anemones, the Condylactis gigantea rarely hosts clownfish in the aquarium, and many hobbyists report the anemone stinging and eating them.
• Habitat Requirements: It requires Moderate to High lighting and Moderate to High water flow to thrive. It will move rapidly if water parameters, flow, or lighting are not to its liking, which is when it poses the greatest threat to corals.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Condylactis gigantea
• Primary Common Name: Haitian Reef Anemone
• Other Common Names: Pink-Tip Condy, Giant Caribbean Sea Anemone, Florida Condy
• Origin: Western Atlantic / Caribbean (including Haiti and Florida)
• Max Size: 12-16 inches (30-40 cm) diameter
• Temperament: Aggressive / Mobile (Strong Sting)
• Diet: Carnivore / Photosynthetic (Requires weekly feeding)
• Minimum Tank Size: 75+ Gallons
• Reef Compatibility: No (Will sting corals and eat small inverts/fish)
• Care Level: Moderate