Jewel Anemone

Scientific name: Corynactis australis
  • Updated
    14/12/20
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Corynactis australis Click to enlarge image
Southern Jewel Anemone, Corynactis australis Image: Graham Blight
© Graham Blight

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Corynactis
    Species
    australis
    Family
    Corallimorphidae
    Order
    Corallimorpharia
    Subclass
    Hexacorallia
    Class
    Anthozoa
    Phylum
    Cnidaria
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    1.5 cm

Introduction

The common Jewel Anemone lives on rocks and coastal structures such as piers in shaded, wave-exposed areas.

Identification

The tentacles of the anemone-like polyps of the Jewel Anemone have a small round ball at the tip that is usually more brightly coloured than the rest of the polyp, resembling a jewel.

Corynactis australis
Southern Jewel Anemone, Corynactis australis Image: Graham Blight
© Graham Blight

Habitat

The Jewel Anemone is found in coastal waters, on rocky reefs and shores.

Distribution

The Jewel Anemone is found in south-eastern Australia.

Other behaviours and adaptations

Often large colonies of Jewel Anemones cover the walls of underwater caves, with sheets of polyps connected by a single base. The edge of a colony is usually clearly defined as adjoining colonies are often a different colour. Cave walls can be a spectacular patchwork of different colours as colonies compete with each other for space.