Anemones

42 species

Anemones are fascinating and often visually striking invertebrates that belong to the phylum Cnidaria, closely related to corals and jellyfish. They are known for their vibrant colors and unique symbiotic relationships, most notably with clownfish. These relationships can be mutually beneficial, with the clownfish receiving protection from predators while the anemone benefits from the cleaning and nutrients provided by the clownfish.

In the aquarium hobby, anemones are popular for their beauty and the dynamic movement of their tentacles. However, they require specific care and conditions to thrive. Anemones need stable water parameters, strong lighting, and good water flow. They are sensitive to changes in water quality and can be challenging to keep for beginners. It's crucial to research the specific needs of the anemone species you are interested in, as their requirements can vary significantly.

Some popular anemone species in the hobby include the Entacmaea quadricolor, known for its bulbous tentacles, and the Carpet Anemone (Stichodactyla spp.), which can grow very large and has a potent sting. The Phymanthus crucifer is another favorite, appreciated for its hardiness and stunning coloration.

When introducing anemones to a reef tank, it's essential to ensure they have enough space to expand and avoid close proximity to corals, as they can sting and damage them. Regular feeding with meaty foods like shrimp or fish can help maintain their health and vibrant appearance.

  1. Closeup shot of a beadlet anemone (Actinia equina) underwater
    Common name: Beadlet anemone
    Scientific name: Actinia equina
  2. White-spotted Rose Anemone
    Common name: Strawberry anemone
    Scientific name: Actinia fragacea
  3. Waratah Anemones underwater
    Common name: Waratah anemone
    Scientific name: Actinia tenebrosa
  4. Common name: tree anemone
    Scientific name: Actinodendron arboreum
  5. Blue-ring octopus on red branching coral
    Common name: Branching anemone
    Scientific name: Actinodendron glomeratum
  6. Common name: Branching anemone
    Scientific name: Actinodendron plumosum
  7. Small glass anemone pest in reef aquarium tank - Exaiptasia or Aiptasia Pallida
    Common name: Trumpet anemone
    Scientific name: Aiptasia mutabilis
  8. Small glass anemone pest in reef aquarium tank - Exaiptasia or Aiptasia Pallida
    Common name: pale anemone
    Scientific name: Aiptasia pallida
  9. Common name: Manjano Anemone
    Scientific name: Anemonia manjano
  10. Mediterranean Sea Anemone (Snakelocks Anemone, Anemonia Viridis), Kornati Archipelago, Adriatic Sea, Croatia
    Common name: Snakelocks anemone
    Scientific name: Anemonia viridis
  11. Anemone Mandala 03
    Common name: giant green anemone
    Scientific name: Anthopleura xanthogrammica
  12. Pederson Cleaner Shrimp (Periclimenes pedersoni) in Corkscrew Anomones (Bartholomea annulata)
    Common name: corkscrew anemone
    Scientific name: Bartholomea annulata
  13. Common name: Curlycue Anemone
    Scientific name: Bartholomea lucida
  14. A hermit crab (Dardanus pedunculatus) has a symbiotic relationship with anemones (Calliactis polypus) that provide camouflage and protection.
    Common name: Hermit crab anemone
    Scientific name: Calliactis polypus
  15. Common name: southern cerianthid
    Scientific name: Ceriantheopsis americana
  16. Tube Anemone, Faden-Zylinderrose (Cerianthus filiformis)
    Common name: Large tube anemone
    Scientific name: Cerianthus filiformis
  17. closeup of a brown and white tube dwelling sea anemone, a popular aquarium pet in aquaculture
    Common name: Cylinder Anemone
    Scientific name: Cerianthus lloydii
  18. Cerianthus membranaceus and two scorpion fish
    Common name: Tube Anemone
    Scientific name: Cerianthus membranaceus
  19. Golden anemone -(Condylactis aurantiaca), sea anemone in to the Mediterranean sea
    Common name: Golden anemone
    Scientific name: Condylactis aurantiaca
  20. Sea Anemone floating in water - Condylactis gigantea
    Common name: giant caribbean anenone
    Scientific name: Condylactis gigantea
  21. Porcelain crab on a sea anemone (Mergui archipelago, Myanmar)
    Common name: pizza anemone
    Scientific name: Cryptodendrum adhaesivum
  22. Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor)
    Common name: Bubble Tip Anemone
    Scientific name: Entacmaea quadricolor
  23. Heteractis aurora EG-08
    Common name: Beaded sea anemone
    Scientific name: Heteractis aurora
  24. White Sebae Anemone - (Heteractis crispa)
    Common name: Sebae Anemone
    Scientific name: Heteractis crispa
  25. A Magnificent anemone, Heteractis magnifica, grows just under the low tide line in Raja Ampat. This area is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle due to its incredible marine biodiversity.
    Common name: Magnificent sea anemone
    Scientific name: Heteractis magnifica
  26.  clown fish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is hiding from predators in their sea anemones (Heteractis malu)
    Common name: Malu anemone
    Scientific name: Heteractis malu
  27. Common name: Hemprich's Sea Anemone
    Scientific name: Heterodactyla hemprichi
  28. Caribbean coral garden
    Common name: stinging anemone
    Scientific name: Lebrunia danae
  29. Anemonenfische an einer Korkenzieher-Anemone
    Common name: Long-tentacle Anemone
    Scientific name: Macrodactyla doreensis
  30. Common name: Red Sea Apple
    Scientific name: Negombata corticata
  31. Coral reef covereg with bright Red Sponges. Toxic Finger-Sponge (Negombata magnifica) on top of coral reef on the deep in the morning time, on blue water background, Red sea, Egypt
    Common name: Red Sea Apple
    Scientific name: Negombata magnifica
  32. scuba diving lembeh indonesia spotted porcelain crab underwater
    Common name: Spotted Porcelain Crab
    Scientific name: Neopetrolisthes maculates
  33. Common name: Northern Cerianthid
    Scientific name: Pachycerianthus borealis
  34. Handheld.  Tube-dwelling anemone or pachycerianthus fimbriatus.  Photographed underwater at Channel Islands, CA.
    Common name: Giant Tube Anemone
    Scientific name: Pachycerianthus fimbriatus
  35. Sea anemone
    Common name: Giant Tube Anemone
    Scientific name: Pachycerianthus maua
  36. coral or anemone glowing under blacklight, glow fluorescent at night
    Common name: Night anemone
    Scientific name: Phyllodiscus semoni
  37. Rare image of Mediterranean Rock flower anemone - Phymanthus crucifer
    Common name: speckled anemone
    Scientific name: Phymanthus crucifer
  38. Stichodactyla gigantea - Giant carpet anemone and it's Anemone fish Clark's anemonefish - Amphiprion clarkii
    Common name: gigantic sea anemone
    Scientific name: Stichodactyla gigantea
  39. Green Haddon's Carpet Anemone (Stichodactyla haddoni)
    Common name: Haddon's Carpet Anemone
    Scientific name: Stichodactyla haddoni
  40. Stichodactyla mertensii with Orange Anemonefish
    Common name: merten's carpet anemone
    Scientific name: Stichodactyla mertensii
  41. Warty Crab,  Red Anemone, Underwater
    Common name: Warty Sea Anemone
    Scientific name: Thalassianthus aster
  42. Northern Red Anemone underwater in the St. Lawrence River
    Common name: Dahlia anemone
    Scientific name: Urticina felina