Invertebrates
Carpet Anemone
Stichodactyla and relatives · also called carpet anemones
Spreading its broad, carpet-like disc across the reef floor, a carpet anemone bristles with short, densely packed tentacles delivering one of the more powerful stings a diver might encounter among coral reef anemones.
Overview
The carpet anemone, from the genus Stichodactyla and close relatives, is native to coral reef habitat across the Indo-Pacific region. Its broad, flattened body shape, unusually potent sting, and role as a host for several clownfish species make it one of the more physically imposing and ecologically important anemones found on tropical reefs.
A different shape for a different strategy
Rather than the tall, flowing tentacles of some other anemone species, the carpet anemone spreads outward into a broad, low disc, maximising the surface area covered by its short, densely packed, powerfully stinging tentacles.
Status
Not Evaluated for conservation status, widespread across suitable coral reef habitat throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Carpet Anemone: common questions
Why is it called the carpet anemone?
It spreads a broad, flattened disc covered in short tentacles across the reef floor, a shape and texture that resembles a carpet, giving the species its common name.
How painful is the carpet anemone's sting?
It delivers one of the more powerful stings among anemones commonly encountered on coral reefs, making careful handling important for divers and snorkelers.
Does the carpet anemone host clownfish like the bubble-tip anemone?
Yes, it hosts several clownfish species, though generally fewer species than the bubble-tip anemone, which is considered the most widely used host anemone overall.
How big can a carpet anemone get?
It can spread to a substantial diameter, ranking among the larger anemone species found on coral reefs.