Jewel Anemone
Click to enlarge image
© Graham Blight
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Corynactis
- Species
- australis
- Family
- Corallimorphidae
- Order
- Corallimorpharia
- Subclass
- Hexacorallia
- Class
- Anthozoa
- Phylum
- Cnidaria
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 1.5 cm
Introduction
The common Jewel Anemone lives on rocks and coastal structures such as piers in shaded, wave-exposed areas.
Identification
The tentacles of the anemone-like polyps of the Jewel Anemone have a small round ball at the tip that is usually more brightly coloured than the rest of the polyp, resembling a jewel.
© Graham Blight
Habitat
The Jewel Anemone is found in coastal waters, on rocky reefs and shores.
Distribution
The Jewel Anemone is found in south-eastern Australia.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Often large colonies of Jewel Anemones cover the walls of underwater caves, with sheets of polyps connected by a single base. The edge of a colony is usually clearly defined as adjoining colonies are often a different colour. Cave walls can be a spectacular patchwork of different colours as colonies compete with each other for space.
