Seafan

    Loading the index

    Emergencies
    On this page

    Anemone

    Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant)

    Stichodactyla haddoni, S. gigantea

    Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) (Stichodactyla haddoni, S. gigantea)
    Photo: Liné1, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Type
    Anemone
    Care level
    Advanced to expert
    Light
    200 to 400 PAR (high)
    Flow
    High
    With neighbours
    Stings neighbours

    Safety: handling carpet anemones (haddon's, giant)

    How do you care for carpet anemones (haddon's, giant)?

    Placement

    Sand bed or rock base

    Flow

    High for giant carpet; deep sand for Haddon's typical, check

    Feeding

    Large meaty foods

    Growth

    Large, 50 cm or more

    Water quality

    Needs a large, mature, very stable tank typical, check

    How much light does it need?

    Sources put it at about 200 to 400 PAR, measured where the coral sits. No figure was published for this coral itself, so this is the usual range for its group. Start a new coral at the low end and raise it over weeks.

    Bright light. typical, check

    Which neighbours are safe?

    Can catch and eat fish typical, check

    Large dedicated area

    Fish

    Fish known to nip this group of corals, or small enough to be caught by it.

    Take care (38)

    • Ocellaris clownfishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the ocellaris clownfish.
    • Percula clownfishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the percula clownfish.
    • Neon gobyThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the neon goby.
    • Yellow clown gobyThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the yellow clown goby.
    • Yellow watchman gobyThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the yellow watchman goby.
    • Orange spotted gobyThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the orange spotted goby.
    • Hi-fin red banded gobyThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the hi-fin red banded goby.
    • Rainford's gobyThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the rainford's goby.
    • Bicolor blennyThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the bicolor blenny.
    • Tailspot blennyThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the tailspot blenny.
    • Royal dottybackThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the royal dottyback.
    • Orchid dottybackThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the orchid dottyback.
    • Magenta dottybackThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the magenta dottyback.
    • Neon dottybackThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the neon dottyback.
    • Banggai cardinalfishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the banggai cardinalfish.
    • Pyjama cardinalfishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the pyjama cardinalfish.
    • Green chromisThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the green chromis.
    • Yellowtail blue damselThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the yellowtail blue damsel.
    • Blue damselThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the blue damsel.
    • Azure damselThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the azure damsel.
    • Humbug damselThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the humbug damsel.
    • Six line wrasseThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the six line wrasse.
    • Carpenter's flasher wrasseThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the carpenter's flasher wrasse.
    • FirefishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the firefish.
    • Purple firefishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the purple firefish.
    • Bartlett's anthiasThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the bartlett's anthias.
    • Royal grammaThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the royal gramma.
    • Yellow assessorThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the yellow assessor.
    • Coral beautyThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the coral beauty.
    • Flame angelfishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the flame angelfish.
    • Cherub angelfishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the cherub angelfish.
    • Flame hawkfishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the flame hawkfish.
    • Falco hawkfishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the falco hawkfish.
    • Yellowhead jawfishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the yellowhead jawfish.
    • Mandarin dragonetThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the mandarin dragonet.
    • Spotted mandarinThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the spotted mandarin.
    • Harlequin filefishThe carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) can catch and eat small fish such as the harlequin filefish.
    • Copperband butterflyfishCopperband butterflyfish may nip anemones, more so when underfed.

    Other corals

    This coral stings. Give these neighbours space.

    Take care (44)

    • ZoanthidsCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the zoanthids out of reach.
    • PalythoaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the palythoa out of reach.
    • Mushroom coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.
    • Hairy mushroomCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the hairy mushroom out of reach.
    • Florida ricordeaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the florida ricordea out of reach.
    • Yuma ricordeaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the yuma ricordea out of reach.
    • Toadstool leatherCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the toadstool leather out of reach.
    • Finger leatherCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the finger leather out of reach.
    • XeniaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the xenia out of reach.
    • Pulsing xeniaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the pulsing xenia out of reach.
    • Waving hand coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the waving hand coral out of reach.
    • Green star polypsCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the green star polyps out of reach.
    • Clove polypsCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the clove polyps out of reach.
    • Kenya treeCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the kenya tree out of reach.
    • Hammer coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the hammer coral out of reach. Hammer coral stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) out of reach.
    • Frogspawn coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the frogspawn coral out of reach. Frogspawn coral stings neighbours; keep the carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) out of reach.
    • Torch coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the torch coral out of reach. Torch coral stings neighbours; keep the carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) out of reach.
    • Duncan coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
    • AcanCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the acan out of reach.
    • FaviaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the favia out of reach.
    • FavitesCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the favites out of reach.
    • Chalice coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the chalice coral out of reach.
    • BlastomussaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the blastomussa out of reach.
    • Candy cane coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the candy cane coral out of reach.
    • Bubble coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the bubble coral out of reach.
    • GonioporaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the goniopora out of reach.
    • AlveoporaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the alveopora out of reach.
    • Open brain coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the open brain coral out of reach.
    • LoboCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the lobo out of reach.
    • GalaxeaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the galaxea out of reach. Galaxea stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) out of reach.
    • Scroll coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the scroll coral out of reach.
    • Montipora capricornisCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the montipora capricornis out of reach.
    • Montipora digitataCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the montipora digitata out of reach.
    • AcroporaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the acropora out of reach.
    • Acropora milleporaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the acropora millepora out of reach.
    • PocilloporaCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the pocillopora out of reach.
    • StylophoraCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the stylophora out of reach.
    • Birdsnest coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the birdsnest coral out of reach.
    • Horn coralCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the horn coral out of reach. Horn coral stings neighbours; keep the carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) out of reach.
    • Fire coral (not Acropora millepora)Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the fire coral (not Acropora millepora) out of reach. Fire coral (not Acropora millepora) stings neighbours; keep the carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) out of reach.
    • Bubble tip anemoneCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the bubble tip anemone out of reach. Bubble tip anemone stings neighbours; keep the carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) out of reach.
    • Rock flower anemoneCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the rock flower anemone out of reach.
    • Mini maxiCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the mini maxi out of reach. Mini maxi stings neighbours; keep the carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) out of reach.
    • Ritteri anemoneCarpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the ritteri anemone out of reach. Ritteri anemone stings neighbours; keep the carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) out of reach.

    Invertebrates

    Invertebrates that may nip corals when hungry.

    Take care (3)

    These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

    Pests, dips and quarantine

    None specific

    No coral dips

    No dip reliably kills pest eggs, so a dip lowers the risk rather than removing it. Inspect new frags with a torch after lights out, including the underside and the plug.

    Sources

    1. TFH Magazine carpet anemonesRead 21 October 2026, search summary only.

    Last checked . How we check

    Found a mistake? Tell us how to fix it.

    Bubble tip anemone

    Entacmaea quadricolor

    Care
    Intermediate
    Light
    High
    Flow
    Medium
    Neighbours
    Stings neighbours

    Photo Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Rock flower anemone

    Phymanthus crenatus (and others)

    Care
    Beginner
    Light
    Medium
    Flow
    Low
    Neighbours
    Peaceful

    Photo RevolverOcelot, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Mini maxi

    Stichodactyla tapetum

    Care
    Intermediate
    Light
    High
    Flow
    Medium
    Neighbours
    Stings neighbours

    Photo Chaloklum Diving, CC BY 3.0

    Ritteri anemone

    Radianthus magnifica (formerly Heteractis magnifica)

    Care
    Advanced
    Light
    High
    Flow
    High
    Neighbours
    Stings neighbours

    Photo Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0