Also Known As: Malu Anemone, Delicate Sea Anemone

Compatibility and Behavior
The Yellow Sebae has a look all its own among sand anemones, and you simply can't miss its uniform bright yellow appearance. Its tentacles are sparse, short, and stubby, almost always under an inch and a half and uneven in length even within a single row, sometimestipped in magenta, while the pale cream to yellow column supports an oral disc that can reach up to 8 inches across at full size in the wild. A couple of behavioral quirks set it apart from the Heteractis crispa it’s often sold alongside. First, it’s a true sand-dweller, settling low on the sand bed with its column buried up to the oral disc rather than climbing high into the rockwork, and it can retract completely into the substrate if disturbed. Second, it’s unusually selective as a clownfish host: Clark’s Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii) is the only anemonefish documented to pair with it in the wild, so other clownfish may ignore it entirely. On reef safety, treat it as reef safe with caution, since like other Heteractis it packs a potent sting and may wander before it settles, so it can damage corals or clams it touches. It’s generally safe with most fish and mobile inverts, though slow-moving or careless tankmates may occasionally get stung. One note on color: yellow and other pale forms may carry reduced zooxanthellae, so an individual can deepen in color over time under strong lighting and regular feeding.

Aquarium Requirements
This is an expert-level anemone that depends on a mature, stable system, so give it a tank of 40 gallons or more that’s been running at least six months, with a deep bed of fine sand or sand over rubble where it can bury its column and anchor securely. It’s strongly photosynthetic and needs intense reef lighting reaching all the way to the substrate, with slow light acclimation for new arrivals, plus gentle to moderate, indirect flow that keeps its soft tentacles swaying without tearing them. Because it may wander, place it well away from corals, clams, and powerhead intakes, and leave it a clear sand zone of its own. Target feed small, mouth-sized pieces of meaty seafood like mysis, chopped shrimp, clam, or fish one to three times a week, avoiding large chunks it may reject. Acclimate slowly, and never expose the column to air during handling.

Specifications
Approximate Size: 2–3.5"
Diet: Photosynthetic; supplement with meaty foods
Origin: Indo-West Pacific
Care Level: Expert
Reef Safe: With caution
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Special Considerations: An expert-level anemone that needs a mature, established tank with a deep sand bed and intense lighting reaching the substrate to thrive.