Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: Comoros to Fiji Islands

Natural Environment: Lives singly in deep rock crevices on slopes and attached to dead coral at depths from 3 to 60 feet (1 - 20 m)

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 74 to 82°F (23 - 27°C) and is one of the larger clownfish anemones, sometimes exceeding 36 inches (90 cm) in diameter. Requires a large aquarium, over 100 gallons, and very good water movement and strong light. Prefers feedings with fish flesh, not crustacean meat and several feeding per week. Not easy to maintain

S. mertensii is known to host the follwing species of anemonefishes: A. akallopisos, A. akindynos, A. allardi, A. chrysogaster, A. chrysopterus, A. clarkii, A. fuscocaudatus, A. latifasciatus, A. leucokranos, A. ocellaris, A. sandaracinos, and A. tricinctus