Cryptodendrum adhaesivum

Studs edge Anemone with Clarks Anemonefish and Three young stain - Prussia fish.

The studs edge Anemone ( Cryptodendrum adhaesivum; Syn: Stoichactis digitata ) is a sea anemone from the tropical Indo-Pacific coral reefs of, from East Africa to the Marquesas and the Red Sea.

Features

Studs edge anemones reach a diameter of 30 centimeters and are distinctive by their differently colored, beaded and wave- like curved edge. In its broad oral disc there are two different forms of tentacles. At the edge of the oral disc short, about 5 mm long tentacles carry a nascent bubble-like thickening of about one millimeter in diameter at the end of tentacles. The other tentacles are branched and resemble tiny and with her five or more "fingers" a small, inflated rubber glove. The tentacles are very sticky, but do not stop when you touch it and then withdraws the hand, as in the genus Stichodactyla.

Studs edge anemones are very colorful. The various zones tentacles always show a different color. There are characteristic color combinations like yellow and pink, green and brown, gray and blue or black and white. In addition, the color of the lower part of the tentacles and the tip can differ. The mouth has a diameter of about one centimeter and is of strong yellow, green, violet or white coloration.

Way of life

Studs edge anemones are symbiotic anemones, but are accepted only by living in the Indian Ocean population of Clark's anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii ) as a symbiotic partner. In addition, at least one type of partner shrimp live ( Periclimenes ), the Hohlkreuzgarnele ( Thor amboinensis ) and the Prozellenkrebs Neopetrolisthes maculatus on pimples edge - anemones, a community that is not to be regarded as symbiosis, since the anemone does not benefit from it. Clark's Anemonefish, however, defended his Symbioseanemone against predators, such as butterflies or file fish. Like all symbiotic anemones it hosts zooxanthellae, symbiotic algae, contributing to food of their host.