Mediterranean cerianthid (Cerianthus membranaceus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Cerianthus membranaceus
- Common name
- Mediterranean cerianthid
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Cerianthidae
- Genus
- Cerianthus
- Size
- 15–40 cm
- Depth
- 5–35 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, mud
- Behaviours
- sessile, venomous, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Cerianthus membranaceus reaches 40 cm tentacles. Large tubicolous anemone (Cnidaria, Ceriantharia) Mediterranean with brown-black parchment tube buried in sand or mud, two tentacle crowns: outer long (up to 30 cm) purple-mauve to blue-red, inner short paler. Contractile retraction of crown into tube at slightest disturbance. Lives from 5 to 35 m on sand, mud and coastal zones of Mediterranean. Nocturnal predator of zooplankton and small crustaceans. Iconic wide-angle photo subject of Med dives. Cousin of C. lloydii temperate Atlantic.
Photo of Mediterranean cerianthid
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Mediterranean cerianthid?
- Mediterranean cerianthid (Cerianthus membranaceus) reaches 15–40 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Mediterranean cerianthid?
- Mediterranean cerianthid is found between 5–35 m deep.
- Is the Mediterranean cerianthid dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Mediterranean cerianthid?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Mediterranean cerianthid?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Cerianthidae
- Pachycerianthus multiplicatus - Fireworks anemone
- Pachycerianthus dohrni - Giant Med cerianthid
- Pachycerianthus fimbriatus - Tube-dwelling anemone
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 101011)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5841862)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia