Macrodactyla

Macrodactyla doreensis, the long tentacle anemone (LTA), is a sand-dwelling host anemone with long, graceful tentacles and a column that buries into the substrate. Unlike most anemones that attach to rockwork, LTAs require a deep sand bed of at least 10 cm where they can anchor their column. Place them under moderate PAR (100–250 PAR) with moderate flow on an open area of sand bed away from rockwork edges and pump intakes. Standard reef parameters are essential: alkalinity 7.5–9 dKH, calcium 400–440 ppm, and temperature 25–27°C. LTAs are moderate difficulty — easier than Heteractis or Stichodactyla but still requiring a stable, mature system.

LTAs will wander if conditions are not right, pulling their column out of the sand and drifting through the tank. This wandering can be triggered by insufficient light, poor water quality, or disturbance. Once settled, they tend to stay in place with their column buried and tentacles spread across the sand surface. They are semi-aggressive — their tentacles will sting corals and can trap small fish or invertebrates. Protect all pump intakes with mesh or foam guards. Keep the sand bed around the LTA clean, as accumulated detritus can irritate their column.

LTAs are photosynthetic and benefit from weekly target feeding with mysis, chopped prawn, or silversides. They host several clownfish species, including Ocellaris and Clark's clowns, making them a popular choice for clownfish pairing. Australian-sourced specimens are available through marine retailers and tend to be hardier than imported ones. LTAs can be sensitive to water quality changes, so acclimate new specimens slowly and maintain consistent parameters. They are not suitable for tanks without a deep sand bed or for nano reef systems.