WHATSTHATFISH
Corals & anemones

Mini Carpet Anemone

Stichodactyla tapetum

Also known as: Actinarian, Adhesive Sea Anemone, Carpet Sea Anemone, Hexacoral, Mini Carpet, Miniature Carpet Anemone, Pizza Anemone, Tiny Carpet Anemone

Adult
@greatwhite · Fafa Resort, Tonga · October 20111 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly, over mixed rubble and sand substrates and in seagrass beds, over coral and rocky reefs.

Host to a range of crustaceans.

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.

02

How to identify

Pattern
spots
Body shape
donut
Behaviour
solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly, over mixed rubble and sand substrates and in seagrass beds, over coral and rocky reefs.

04

Adult photos 1

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumCnidaria
    3. classHexacorallia
    4. orderActiniaria
    5. familyStichodactylidae
    6. genusStichodactyla
    7. speciesStichodactyla tapetum (Hemprich & Ehrenberg in Ehrenberg, 1834)

    SourcesWoRMS

    06

    More in the family

    Sea Anemones (Stichodactylidae)