SafePlants

Anthopleura elegantissima, Anemone multifida, and Other Anemones

This page compiles information about various anemones, focusing on their distribution, characteristics, and interactions with other organisms.

Considerations for Pets

• Some anemones possess stinging cells that could potentially irritate or harm curious pets.
• The text mentions anemones eating small fish and crabs, which indicates potential predatory behavior towards small aquatic pets.

Considerations for Children

• Anemones may possess stinging cells that could cause discomfort or irritation if touched.

Scientific and Common Names

• Anthopleura elegantissima: Aggregating anemone, clonal species of sea anemone
• Anemone multifida: Pacific anemone, Red windflower, Early thimbleweed, Cut-leaf anemone
• Entacmaea quadricolor: Bubble-tip sea anemone

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) - for Anemone multifida
• Variety: Anemone multifida var. tetonensis
• Synonyms/Alternative Names: Cut-leaved anemone (for Anemone multifida)

Distribution and Habitat

• Anthopleura elegantissima is found on rocky, tide-swept shores along the Pacific coast.
• H. malu is an Indo-Pacific species.
• Members of a mentioned family (unspecified) are found in the Indo-Pacific and prefer protected coastal habitats.
• Anemone multifida grows on mountain tops through much of North America and even Chile.
• Researchers found a new species of sea anemone in the deepest parts of the Pacific Ocean.
• The Pacific Clown Anemone Shrimp is found in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ecological Role

• Some anemones serve as hosts to Leander shrimp (e.g., L. tenuicornis).

Morphological Characteristics

• H. malu has a relatively long 'stalk' buried in the substrate.
• The green surf anemone can grow up to 30 cm in diameter.
• Anemone occidentalis has an erect stem that lengthens to 20 inches or more in seed.
• Aggregating Anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima) can be found carpeting entire rocks.
• The Pacific Clown Anemone Shrimp grows up to 4cm in length.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Long tentacle Pacific anemones are a good choice for keeping clownfish.
• Sea anemones can fight each other for territory.
• Some anemones serve as hosts to Leander shrimp (e.g., L. tenuicornis).
• Some anemones are associated with molluscs.
• The text mentions the nature of symbiosis between Indo-Pacific anemone fishes and sea anemones.
• The Glass Anemone Shrimp and Pacific Clown Anemone Shrimp live in sea anemones on coral and rocky reefs.

Quirky Facts

• Anemones are animals, not plants.

Further Information

• ResearchGate is mentioned as a professional network for scientists to discuss the symbiosis between anemones and anemone fishes.