I have both, But i had to choose i would take the RBTA,
My mated pair of clarkii's like the carpet anemone better, but they dig the sand from around his foot so he moves all over the tank. So like i said go with the RBTA.
Depends on experience. If you are newer to the hobby, than I would go with an RBTA as they are extremly easy compared to a carpet. Also they won't be as dangerous to your tank inhabits compared to a carpet anenome. Fish and coral wise.
If you are experienced. Than a carpet can be such a beautiful huge creature to have in your tank. Also clowns seem to enjoy them more than the RBTA's. They also are more rare and a lot harder to keep.
Oh also about the sand digging problems, I never have this issue ever as I keep a S. Gigantea and not a S Haddoni. So these problems don't ever arise.
+2 I think BTAs tend not to have quite the same prestige in the hobby as Stichodactyla and Heteractis species do, probably because they're a "beginner" anemone and not a natural host for the most popular clownfish species (ocellaris and percula). But I'm very happy with mine, as are my ocellaris, and I think a large healthy BTA, or a colony of various morphs such as other posters have kept, can be just as striking as a big carpet anemone.
For my part, I'd much rather see new reefkeepers keep BTAs and leave carpets, "sebaes", magnificas, etc to very experienced, conscientious aquarists with appropriate systems. Unlike BTAs, these anemones aren't yet (but we can hope!) available captive-propagated; and IMO, they're too delicate and ecologically valuable for inexperienced aquarists to cut their teeth on. And I in no way intend that as a putdown of new or new-ish hobbyists who want a carpet anemone--I don't consider myself qualified to care for one, either.
My carpet ate my Mandrian. I also have both and like them equally but the carpet I think is prettier but harder to maintain and also eats more and does the most damage to other corlas and fish. So it is a toss up for me
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