Hermit Crab Anemone

Scientific Name: Calliactis polypus
Species: Sea Anemones (Hormathiidae)
Other names: Hexacorals, Formerly know as Calliactis miriam, Anemone Hermit Crab, Cloak Anemone.

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Description

Also known as Hexacorals, Formerly know as Calliactis miriam, Anemone Hermit Crab and Cloak Anemone.

Found on coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on plankton.
Width to 2cm
Depth - 2-15m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Usually found on the hermit crab Dardanus pedunculatus.
When Hermit crabs need to change their shells, they do so at night and at the same time move their anemones from their old homes to the new!

Sea Anemones are large solitary polyps which have no skeleton. They have a basal or pedal disc which helps them crawl and dig into place, for some, once in place it is virtually impossible to move. Other smaller anemones move around the reef to feed at night.
Most eat plankton, but they are capable of eating anything caught in their stinging tentacles including quite big fish.
The fringing tentacles are configured in six or multiples of six.
Some sea anemones have a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones and some live commensally with various crabs, shrimp and brittle stars. (edit)

Spotted

The Hermit Crab Anemone is found in or near the Indo-Pacific region(s) and has been photographed 12 times by users @epic @fishx6

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