Haeckel’s Anemone (species: Actinostephanus haeckeli) in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Actinostephanus haeckeli
Haeckel’s Anemone


©Gemaras: Actinostephanus haeckeli at Watson's Bay, Lizard Island.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hexacorallia
Order Actiniaria
Family Actinodendridae
Genus Actinostephanus
Species Actinostephanus haeckeli

Distinguishing features

Twelve long tentacles alternating with 12 shorter ones, with short vesicles that protrude from the tentacles. A large oral disc with radiating lines. Can withdraw quickly and completely into the soft substrate in which it lives, and can deliver a painful sting.

The record by @gemaras (sourced from iNaturalist) in Sep 2023 appears to be the first from Australia.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Synonyms

Web resources