Common name: Beadlet anemone

General information

The Beadlet Anemone, Actinia equina, is a common sea anemone found along the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This species is known for its robust nature and ability to tolerate a range of environmental conditions, making it a suitable candidate for the marine aquarium hobby. The Beadlet Anemone is characterized by its bright red to dark green coloration and distinctive blue beads, or acrorhagi, around its mouth, which are used in defense and territorial disputes.

Care

Beadlet Anemones are relatively easy to care for in captivity. They require a stable marine aquarium with moderate lighting and water movement. It's important to provide them with a rocky substrate or crevices where they can attach their base. They can feed on a variety of meaty foods such as chopped fish, mussels, or shrimp, and benefit from regular feedings.

Reproduction

In the wild, Actinia equina can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction occurs through the release of gametes into the water column, while asexual reproduction happens through a process called pedal laceration, where new anemones form from pieces of the parent's pedal disc. In the aquarium, asexual reproduction is more commonly observed, leading to the proliferation of clones.

Symbiosis

While the Beadlet Anemone does not have a well-known symbiotic relationship with fish like clownfish, it can host a variety of small invertebrates and provide shelter to them. Its stinging cells offer protection to these creatures from potential predators.

Habitat

Actinia equina is typically found in intertidal zones, often in rock pools and on rocky substrates where it can withstand the changing tides. It is a hardy species that can cope with variations in temperature and salinity, which is reflected in its wide distribution along the coasts of Europe and parts of Africa.