Common name: Cylinder Anemone

General information

The Cylinder Anemone, Cerianthus lloydii, is a striking marine invertebrate known for its long, tube-like structure and an array of tentacles that resemble a flower in bloom. Unlike true anemones, it belongs to the order Ceriantharia and is not a reef-building species. It is often mistaken for a sea anemone but is more closely related to black corals and thorny corals.

Care

Cerianthus lloydii requires a deep sand bed to accommodate its tube from which it extends its tentacles to feed. It prefers low to moderate water flow and lighting conditions. Feeding should include a variety of meaty foods such as brine shrimp, mysis, and finely chopped seafood.

Reproduction

Reproduction in Cerianthus lloydii is not commonly observed in the home aquarium. In the wild, they can reproduce both sexually, by releasing gametes into the water column, and asexually, through budding or fragmentation of the body column.

Symbiosis

While not known for hosting fish or other invertebrates, the Cylinder Anemone can provide a microhabitat for small organisms in its vicinity, offering protection with its stinging cells.

Habitat

Cerianthus lloydii is found in the subtidal zone, often buried in soft substrates like sand or mud. It is widespread in the Northeast Atlantic, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean.