Tube Anemone
Scientific name: Pachycerianthus longistriatis
Click to enlarge image
Tube Anemone, Pachycerianthus longistriatis
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Pachycerianthus
- Species
- longistriatis
- Family
- Cerianthidae
- Order
- Ceriantharia
- Subclass
- Hexacorallia
- Class
- Anthozoa
- Phylum
- Cnidaria
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 10 cm
Introduction
The Tube Anemone lives in a mucous tube in the seabed.
Identification
The Tube Anemone is common in the sediments of Sydney Harbour. Its outer tentacles vary in colour from purple to creamy brown and each has a long pale stripe down its length. The inner tentacles are usually a creamy colour.
Tube Anemone
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett© Australian Museum
Habitat
Tube Anemones live in coastal waters, estuaries and soft seabeds.
Distribution
The Tube Anemone is found in New South Wales.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The tentacles of the Tube Anemone reach out of the tube and capture small animals using stinging cells (nematocysts). The main body of the animal is not attached to the tube and can retract rapidly when threatened. Divers often see the anemone disappearing into the sediment as they approach for a closer look.
