Parasitic anemone (Calliactis parasitica)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Calliactis parasitica
- Common name
- Parasitic anemone
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Hormathiidae
- Genus
- Calliactis
- Size
- 5–8 cm
- Depth
- 0–60 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, symbiotic
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Calliactis parasitica reaches 8 cm. Mediterranean and temperate East Atlantic anemone (Cnidaria, Actiniaria). Stocky beige-red to pink-brown body with vertically striped column, crown of 200+ short white tentacles. Remarkable behavior: lives commensally fixed on shells inhabited by hermit crabs (Pagurus prideauxi, Dardanus arrosor) - crustacean transports anemone which defends by stinging cnidocytes against octopus predators, gains mobility and leftovers. Lives from 0 to 60 m on Mediterranean sands. Classic mutualism macro photo subject. Voluntary shell-to-shell migration.
Photo of Parasitic anemone
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Parasitic anemone?
- Parasitic anemone (Calliactis parasitica) reaches 5–8 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Parasitic anemone?
- Parasitic anemone is found between 0–60 m deep.
- Is the Parasitic anemone dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Parasitic anemone?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Parasitic anemone?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Hormathiidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 100946)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2257373)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia