Stichodactyla gigantea
Stichodactyla gigantea, commonly known as the giant carpet anemone, is a species of sea anemone that lives in the Indo-Pacific area. It can be kept in an aquarium but is a very challenging species to keep alive and healthy for more than 3–5 years. Description. Stichodactyla gigantea has a diameter that is usually no larger than and a maximum of . It can appear in a number of colors, commonly brown or greenish and rarely a striking purple or pink, deep blue, or bright green. A healthy "S. gigantea" will possess tentacles that are extremely sticky to the  touch, with firm adherence to surfaces. Ecology. "S. gigantea" resides on shallow seagrass beds or sand flats around deep (at low tide). Most anemones are treated as sessile, but the ones inhabited by anemonefish are in fact motile. Zooxanthellae are obligate symbionts within the anemone. "S. gigantea" hosts 7 different species of anemonefish Juvenile "Dascyllus trimaculatus" also associate with "S. gigantea". Aquarium trade. "S. gigantea" is uncommon in the aquarium trade. Though smaller in size than other carpet anemone species, it is significantly more delicate, and requires a large, mature reef aquarium. Like all sea anemones in captivity that have  a symbiotic, mutualistic relationship with anemonefish, "S. gigantea" requires intense aquarium lighting, impeccable water quality, and stable parameters. It is prone to shipping stress and bacterial infections during transit. Due to these factors, many hobbyists advocate quarantining this anemone and treating with antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin or Septra for a minimum of one week before acclimating it to the main tank.