Flowers of the sea? Hardly. Most anemones are marine; but they are definitely animals, just a step or two up from the "tissue-grade" life that is the sponges, phylum Porifera.

The trade in these stinging-celled animals is brisk, and well it should be; many species are reasonably available and hardy, undemanding aquarium fare.

This series offers an overview of aquatic life natural history, and captive care. This installment deals with the polypoid cnidarians (coelenterates) we call anemones.

Try imagining a reef system, photograph, television show, fish store without anemones. Hard to do, isn't it? Anemones are seemingly ubiquitous fixtures in all these.

Why? Many species make hardy specimens given proper collection, treatment and selection (by you). They have remarkable, interesting biologies. Know though that the vast majority of specimens aquarists try only live days to a few weeks... largely due to the trauma of collection, holding, shipping practices before they get them... and secondarily due to factors such as a lack of light, inappropriate feeding, being placed in poor water quality, with incompatible livestock... Much to know before one buys. 

Classification: Taxonomy, Problems

Early classifiers termed anemones "zoophytes" or animal plants, in reference to their flower-like appearance. Many of us know them from their old phyletic grouping within the "Coelenterata, an allusion to their gastro-vascular cavity (coel= hollow, enteron= intestine). Modern classifications tend to leave out the comb-jellies (phylum Ctenophora), and group the anemones, jellyfish, hydras and corals as the phylum Cnidaria, describing their "possession of stinging-cells" on mouth-surrounding tentacles.

Within the phylum they are further sub-classified on the basis of body plan. Anemones are typically polyp-like (polypoid) cylinders, sessile, with their oral cavities upright. Other forms are generally medusa-like, free-swimming discs, mouth down.

Most are marine, a few freshwater, some interstitial (in the substrate!). There are about 9,000 described species. Their fossil record dates back to earliest life time, the Cambrian period.

Within the Cnidaria, Anemones are placed in the Class Anthozoa; as single or colonial polyps, the medusoid stage completely missing. This group includes the bulk of cnidarian species (6000+) encompassing corals, sea fans, and sea pansies They are distinguished from the hydrozoans and scyphozoans by the lack of an operculum on their stinging cells and several structural/embryological differences.

Anemones are separated from other anthozoans in the sub-class Zoantharia, and two main orders: The Actinaria are often called the "true anemones". They have internal separations of body parts (mesenteries) arranged in hexamerous (six) cycles and usually with two ciliated oral cavities (siphonoglyphs). The other order, Ceriantharia, or "tube" anemones have greatly elongate bodies without basal discs, secreted mucous tubes buried in soft substrates. One siphonoglyph and complete mesenteries.

Relation with other groups:

Placed a group above the sponges, Cnidarians are often grouped with the comb-jellies, phylum Ctenophora as the Radiata, for their radial symmetry. These are simple animals made of three basic layers, an outer epidermis, a lining of the gut (gastrodermis) and a changeable, amorphous inner layer of mesoglea. Cnidarians have little to no organ development.

Selection: General to Specific:

As faithful followers of my unending scribblings will testify, I will not abide nefarious practices in the aquatics trades and, unfortunately, dear reader, anemones are a "guilty" area.

Most anemones that die quickly in the hobbyists care were doomed through mis-collection or rough handling in-between their purchase. I am referring to physically tearing the body, usually the disc/foot through hasty separation from the wild substrate or aquarium. Where removing anemones goes, careful patience is key. Some thoughtful, conscientious wholesalers (e.g. Phil Shane's Quality Marine) have hit upon the use of indoor/outdoor carpeting material lining their tanks to facilitate removal and examination. But, the ultimate damage born is due to too anxious handling. Carefully, slowly slide a nail under the disc, around the perimeter to remove a specimen. Examine and bag same under water! Avoid having anemones or their "slime" touching your wrists, eyes, other non-calloused areas, especially mucus membranes Rinse and wipe off your hands. Most folks can tolerate time to time contact with most offered species; should you develop a sensitivity, wear thin rubber gloves, or keep your hands off!

At Quality Marine in Los Angeles, a premiere marine livestock wholesaler. Anemone holding facilities made of sheet PVC covered with indoor/outdoor carpeting to allow easy removal, non-tearing of specimens. Drainage is also concealed to prevent plugging/clogging... large volumes of water are utilized as "dilution solution" to large biomass changes.	High quality specimens to start with, Here are examples of anemones with intact (non-torn) pedicles and basal discs. Do inspect the "foot" of all prospective purchases ahead of buying.

Be aware and beware of the too-frequently badly damaged offering of poor anemone specimens. Shown here is a Heteractis malu w/ a torn foot/pedicle... Such specimens rarely recover.

Re Colored Anemones: Yes; tinted, dyed, artificially colored specimens. "Sebae" and "Ritteri" anemones in particular are often adulterated with vegetable (and other) dyes to "enhance" their salability. I put these (and the people who buy them) in the same box as "painted" fishes, minnows (Labeo, et al.), glassfish (Chanda), and (barf) others. No, the "pretty" color does not last and no, I cannot see how it adds to the organism's vitality. There are naturally colored anemones.

Healthy specimens have long, fully expanded tentacles and a semi-clean earthy/marine smell. Dead, dying specimens smell bad.

If you are comfortable with the varieties you'd like and how you will care for them, specimens can be bought at local outlets, ordered through the mail/phone or even collected from the wild if not too dear or restricted by law. I offer my usual advice for purchase. Inquire as to origin, history on-site... and put down a suitable deposit, retrieving the individual(s) in a week or two. This will weed out the vast majority of doomed/damaged specimens and afford other folks the opportunity of viewing.

Anemones Naturally Symbiotic With Clownfishes:

Bigger PIX: The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Verticals (Full/Cover Page Sizes Available)

Bigger PIX: The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Bigger PIX: The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Carpet Anemones: Named for their immense size (sometimes more than a meter/yard across) and "pile"; numerous colored tentacles. Very difficult aquarium specimens that "shed", otherwise can/do sting and poison tankmates.

Naturally Symbiotic Relationships Between Amphiprionines and Actinarians (After Fautin 1997)
<Note: In captivity Clownfishes will often come to be associated with other species, even inanimate objects!>

#1 Cryptodendrum adhaesivum, #2 Entacmaea quadricolor, #3 Heteractis aurora, #4 Heteractis crispa #5 Heteractis magnifica, #6 Heteractis malu, #7 Macrodactyla doreensis, #8 Stichodactyla gigantea, #9 Stichodactyla haddoni, #10 Stichodactyla mertensii