Common name: Cnidarians
Cnidaria is a diverse phylum of aquatic animals renowned for their distinctive radial symmetry and specialized cells known as cnidocytes, which contain stinging organelles called nematocysts. This phylum includes a wide array of species such as jellyfish, corals, sea anemones, and hydras. Cnidarians are primarily marine organisms, although some can be found in freshwater environments. They exhibit two main body forms: the sessile polyp and the free-swimming medusa, with some species capable of alternating between these forms during their life cycle.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Cnidaria is their role in reef ecosystems. Corals, which are colonial cnidarians, are the primary architects of coral reefs. They form symbiotic relationships with zooxanthellae, photosynthetic algae that live within their tissues. This symbiosis is crucial for the health of coral reefs, as the algae provide nutrients to the corals through photosynthesis, while the corals offer the algae a protected environment and access to sunlight.
For hobbyists, Cnidaria offers a variety of species that can be kept in home aquariums, ranging from the colorful and relatively easy-to-care-for soft corals to the more demanding stony corals. When keeping cnidarians, it is important to consider their lighting, water flow, and water quality needs, as these factors are critical to their survival and growth. Additionally, many cnidarians have potent stinging cells that can harm other tank inhabitants or even the aquarist, so careful handling and placement within the aquarium are necessary.
Overall, Cnidaria is a captivating phylum that not only plays a vital role in marine ecosystems but also offers intriguing and beautiful species for aquarium enthusiasts. Their unique biological features and ecological importance make them a subject of interest for both hobbyists and scientists alike.
- Common name: Starry Cup CoralScientific name: Acanthastrea echinata
- Common name: Acan CoralScientific name: Acanthastrea hemprichii
- Common name: Abrolhos AcroporaScientific name: Acropora abrolhosensis
- Common name: Aculeus Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora aculeus
- Common name: Acropora azureaScientific name: Acropora azurea
- Common name: Acropora batunaiScientific name: Acropora batunai
- Common name: Acropora bifurcataScientific name: Acropora bifurcata
- Common name: Bushy AcroporaScientific name: Acropora bushyensis
- Common name: Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora carduus
- Common name: Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora caroliniana
- Common name: Corymbose branching plate coralScientific name: Acropora cerealis
- Common name: Chesterfield Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora chesterfieldensis
- Common name: Digitate AcroporaScientific name: Acropora digitifera
- Common name: Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora divaricata
- Common name: Blueberry Sea FanScientific name: Acropora echinata
- Common name: Acropora elseyiScientific name: Acropora elseyi
- Common name: Stout irregular branching coralScientific name: Acropora florida
- Common name: Formosa Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora formosa
- Common name: Acropora forskaliScientific name: Acropora forskali
- Common name: Branching AcroporaScientific name: Acropora gemmifera
- Common name: Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora grandis
- Common name: Granulosa AcroporaScientific name: Acropora granulosa
- Common name: Hemprich's AcroporaScientific name: Acropora hemprichii
- Common name: Acropora horridaScientific name: Acropora horrida
- Common name: Finger coralScientific name: Acropora humilis
- Common name: Acropora jacquelineaeScientific name: Acropora jacquelineae
- Common name: Acropora kimbeensisScientific name: Acropora kimbeensis
- Common name: Lamarck's Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora lamarcki
- Common name: Acropora latistellaScientific name: Acropora latistella
- Common name: bluetip coralScientific name: Acropora loripes
- Common name: Acropora lovelliScientific name: Acropora lovelli
- Common name: Acropora maryaeScientific name: Acropora maryae
- Common name: Acropora microphthalmaScientific name: Acropora microphthalma
- Common name: Fluro scale cushion coralScientific name: Acropora millepora
- Common name: Montipora CapricornisScientific name: Acropora monticulosa
- Common name: Acropora multiacutaScientific name: Acropora multiacuta
- Common name: Acropora nanaScientific name: Acropora nana
- Common name: Acropora nasutaScientific name: Acropora nasuta
- Common name: Acropora nobilisScientific name: Acropora nobilis
- Common name: Column Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora palifera
- Common name: elkhorn coralScientific name: Acropora palmata
- Common name: Acropora parilisScientific name: Acropora parilis
- Common name: Pharaoh's AcroporaScientific name: Acropora pharaonis
- Common name: fused staghornScientific name: Acropora prolifera
- Common name: Acropora pulchraScientific name: Acropora pulchra
- Common name: Acropora robustaScientific name: Acropora robusta
- Common name: Acropora sarmentosaScientific name: Acropora sarmentosa
- Common name: Acropora schmittiScientific name: Acropora schmitti
- Common name: Acropora secaleScientific name: Acropora secale
- Common name: Acropora selagoScientific name: Acropora selago
- Common name: Acropora seriataScientific name: Acropora seriata
- Common name: Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora spicifera
- Common name: Acropora squarrosaScientific name: Acropora squarrosa
- Common name: Acropora subulataScientific name: Acropora subulata
- Common name: Acropora suharsonoiScientific name: Acropora suharsonoi
- Common name: purple tipped acroporaScientific name: Acropora tenuis
- Common name: Blue Tort AcroporaScientific name: Acropora tortuosa
- Common name: Acropora tumidaScientific name: Acropora tumida
- Common name: Acropora valenciennesiScientific name: Acropora valenciennesi
- Common name: Acropora validaScientific name: Acropora valida
- Common name: Acropora variolosaScientific name: Acropora variolosa
- Common name: Acrozoanthus AustraliaeScientific name: Acrozoanthus australiae
- Common name: Beadlet anemoneScientific name: Actinia equina
- Common name: Strawberry anemoneScientific name: Actinia fragacea
- Common name: Waratah anemoneScientific name: Actinia tenebrosa
- Common name: tree anemoneScientific name: Actinodendron arboreum
- Common name: Branching anemoneScientific name: Actinodendron glomeratum
- Common name: Branching anemoneScientific name: Actinodendron plumosum
- Common name: Haeckel's AnemoneScientific name: Actinostephanus haeckeli
- Common name: sheet coralScientific name: Agaricia lamarcki
- Common name: Trumpet anemoneScientific name: Aiptasia mutabilis
- Common name: pale anemoneScientific name: Aiptasia pallida
- Common name: dead man's fingersScientific name: Alcyonium digitatum
- Common name: Red sea fingersScientific name: Alcyonium glomeratum
- Common name: Dead Man's FingersScientific name: Alcyonium palmatum
- Common name: Net coralScientific name: Alveopora catalai
- Common name: Alveopora CoralScientific name: Alveopora gigas
- Common name: Giant Cup Mushroom CoralScientific name: Amplexidiscus fenestrafer
- Common name: False flower coralScientific name: Anacropora forbesi
- Common name: Manjano AnemoneScientific name: Anemonia manjano
- Common name: Snakelocks anemoneScientific name: Anemonia viridis
- Common name: Anomastraea irregularisScientific name: Anomastraea irregularis
- Common name: Waving Hand CoralScientific name: Anthelia glauca
- Common name: giant green anemoneScientific name: Anthopleura xanthogrammica
- Common name: slimy sea plumeScientific name: Antillogorgia americana
- Common name: forked sea featherScientific name: Antillogorgia bipinnata
- Common name: Sea PlumeScientific name: Antillogorgia elisabethae
- Common name: Galapagos black coralScientific name: Antipathes galapagensis
- Common name: Starflower coralScientific name: Astreopora listeri
- Common name: Moon JellyfishScientific name: Aurelia aurita
- Common name: Branching Frogspawn CoralScientific name: Australogyra zelli
- Common name: corkscrew anemoneScientific name: Bartholomea annulata
- Common name: Curlycue AnemoneScientific name: Bartholomea lucida
- Common name: Branched cup coralScientific name: Blastomussa merleti
- Common name: Branched cup coralScientific name: Blastomussa wellsi
- Common name: Bulb AnemoneScientific name: Boloceroides mcmurrichi
- Common name: corky sea fingersScientific name: Briareum asbestinum
- Common name: Hermit crab anemoneScientific name: Calliactis polypus
- Common name: Cantharellus jebbiScientific name: Cantharellus jebbi
- Common name: Kenya Tree CoralScientific name: Capnella imbricata
- Common name: carnation coralScientific name: Caryophyllia inornata
- Common name: Devonshire cup-coralScientific name: Caryophyllia smithii
- Common name: Upside-down JellyfishScientific name: Cassiopea andromeda
- Common name: Mangrove Upside-down JellyfishScientific name: Cassiopea xamachana
- Common name: Elegance coralScientific name: Catalaphyllia jardinei
- Common name: Candy Cane CoralScientific name: Caulastraea connata
- Common name: Finger coralScientific name: Caulastraea echinulata
- Common name: Finger coralScientific name: Caulastraea furcata
- Common name: Finger coralScientific name: Caulastraea tumida
- Common name: Finger coralScientific name: Caulastrea curvata
- Common name: Cavernularia obesaScientific name: Cavernularia obesa
- Common name: southern cerianthidScientific name: Ceriantheopsis americana
- Common name: Large tube anemoneScientific name: Cerianthus filiformis
- Common name: Cylinder AnemoneScientific name: Cerianthus lloydii
- Common name: Tube AnemoneScientific name: Cerianthus membranaceus
- Common name: whip CoralScientific name: Cirrhipathes anguina
- Common name: Colt CoralScientific name: Cladiella australis
- Common name: Cauliflower CoralScientific name: Cladiella pauciflora
- Common name: tube coralScientific name: Cladocora arbuscula
- Common name: Green Star PolypsScientific name: Clavularia viridis