Adhesive Anemone

Overview

The Adhesive Anemone (Cryptodendrum adhaesivum), often called the "Pizza Anemone," is a distinctive marine cnidarian known for its flat, disc-like appearance and extremely sticky tentacles. It is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific and the Red Sea, where it typically resides in rocky crevices or on hard substrates in shallow waters.

Appearance

This anemone is characterized by a circular, velvety disc that can reach up to 35 cm in diameter, featuring a thick, wavy, and often brightly colored margin that resembles a pizza crust. It possesses two distinct types of tentacles: those in the center are short, branched, and glove-like, while those along the edge are simple and bulbous. The oral disc and the margin often display contrasting, vibrant colors, with a central mouth that is typically a different, vivid hue.

Biology & behavior

Cryptodendrum adhaesivum hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae, which provide essential nutrients through photosynthesis. It is known for its ability to contract rapidly when threatened, often retracting into deep crevices for protection. The species can reproduce both asexually through division and sexually via the release of gametes, which develop into planktonic larvae. It is frequently found in commensal relationships with various marine life, including anemone shrimp such as Periclimenes brevicarpalis and certain clownfish species like Amphiprion clarkii.

Feeding

As a carnivore, this anemone uses its highly adhesive tentacles to capture prey, which are then immobilized by stinging cells (cnidae) and moved toward the mouth. In addition to capturing small organisms, it relies significantly on the energy produced by its internal symbiotic algae.