Solitary California anemone (Anthopleura sola)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Anthopleura sola
- Common name
- Solitary California anemone
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Actiniidae
- Genus
- Anthopleura
- Size
- 10–25 cm
- Depth
- 0–15 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, solitary
- Ocean zones
- Eastern Pacific
Description
Anthopleura sola reaches 25 cm diameter. Large anemone (Actiniidae) East Pacific temperate from California to Baja California with columnar body green to beige-pink with numerous long tentacles edged in pink or blue-purple at tips, colored oral disc. Lives from 0 to 15 m in intertidal and subtidal rocky zones, solitary unlike colonial A. elegantissima. Hosts zooxanthellae (hence green color). Common dive and snorkel photo subject of California tide pools (Monterey, La Jolla).
Photo of Solitary California anemone
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Solitary California anemone?
- Solitary California anemone (Anthopleura sola) reaches 10–25 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Solitary California anemone?
- Solitary California anemone is found between 0–15 m deep.
- Is the Solitary California anemone dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Solitary California anemone?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Solitary California anemone?
- Found in: Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Actiniidae
- Anemonia viridis - Snakelocks anemone
- Actinia equina - Beadlet anemone
- Entacmaea quadricolor - Bubble-tip anemone
- Bunodactis verrucosa - Gem anemone
- Condylactis gigantea - Giant Caribbean anemone
- Macrodactyla doreensis - Long tentacle anemone
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 240753)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2256825)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia