Giant carpet anemone (Stichodactyla gigantea)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Stichodactyla gigantea
- Common name
- Giant carpet anemone
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Stichodactylidae
- Genus
- Stichodactyla
- Size
- 30–100 cm
- Depth
- 0–10 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, symbiotic, venomous
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Stichodactyla gigantea reaches 1 m diameter. Carpet-shaped flat anemone with very short (less than 1 cm), numerous tightly packed tentacles forming a surface resembling greenish, blue, pink or purple grass. Central oral disc with tentacles surrounding. Very substrate-adherent, strong tactile sensitivity. Lives from 0 to 10 m very shallow often in tidal zones of western and central Indo-Pacific reefs. Listed LC. Preferred host of A. clarkii, A. ocellaris, Premnas biaculeatus.
Photo of Giant carpet anemone
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Giant carpet anemone?
- Giant carpet anemone (Stichodactyla gigantea) reaches 30–100 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Giant carpet anemone?
- Giant carpet anemone is found between 0–10 m deep.
- Is the Giant carpet anemone dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Giant carpet anemone?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Giant carpet anemone?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Stichodactyla
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 291133)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2257005)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia