Source: Wikimedia Commons
Adhesive Anemone
AdvancedCryptodendrum adhaesivum
A sea anemone whose disc is packed with short, dense tentacles that adhere strongly to anything they touch. It holds zooxanthellae and is also known as the pizza anemone.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
24〜27℃
Diet
Photosynthesis via zooxanthellae plus meaty foods
About
Cryptodendrum adhaesivum is an anemone of Indo-West Pacific reefs in the family Thalassianthidae, and it is the only species in the monotypic genus Cryptodendrum. The oral disc is covered with short, densely packed tentacles whose margin looks napped, giving the name nap-edged anemone, while the overall texture earns it the name pizza anemone. The tentacles are extremely adhesive and will cling to a hand that touches them, which is the origin of the name adhesive anemone. Like other symbiotic anemones it carries zooxanthellae and obtains much of its energy from photosynthesis, so it needs fairly strong lighting. It may shrink and fail to recover after poor water quality or insufficient light, which places it among the harder host anemones to keep. Specimens that wander are easily damaged by pump intakes.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Temperature & humidity for the Adhesive Anemone
The ideal temperature for the Adhesive Anemone is 24〜27℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Indo-West Pacific (Andaman Sea, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Japan, Indian Ocean coast of South Africa)
Temperature
24〜27℃
Diet
Photosynthesis via zooxanthellae plus meaty foods
Care Guide
Lighting
It depends on zooxanthellae and needs fairly strong light; under low light it shrinks and fails to recover.
Care Specifications
- Water Temp.
- 24–27℃
- Specific Gravity
- 1.023–1.025
- Salinity
- 33–35 ppt
Light: High (PAR>150)Flow: MediumPlacement: Bottom
Sources: Wikipedia: Reef aquarium (water parameters) / AlgaeBarn: Six Unusual Sea Anemones / WoRMS
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Cryptodendrum adhaesivum (Klunzinger, 1877)
Synonyms: Cryptodendron adhaesivium, Cryptodendron adhaesivum, Cryptodendrum adhesivum, Stoichactis digitata
Authority databases: WoRMS
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Cnidarian sea anemone (Actiniaria, Thalassianthidae). Not listed by CITES because it is not in the stony coral order (Scleractinia). Not designated as a specified invasive species. Its adhesive nematocysts warrant careful handling.
Sources: DOC NZ / CITES-listed corals (taxon not listed) / CITES Appendices
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Adhesive Anemone Listings
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