Info Lty
Amplexidiscus fenestrafer. J. C. Delbeek A. fenestrafer showing the characteristic naked band near the margin. J. Sprung Genus Amplexidiscus Dunn and Hamner, 1980 Scientific Name Amplexidiscus fenestrafer Dunn and Hamner, 1980 Common Name Giant Elephant Ear mushroom anemone, Elephant Ear, Giant Mushroom Amplexidiscus fenestrafer is an animal version of the Venus flytrap. It is speculated that their resemblance to some clownfish host sea anemones may serve to lure anemonefish larvae to settle in...
Info Qmc
A tall specimen of Pseudopterogorgia in an aquarium. Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae is a beautiful species known as Purple Frilly, and it is being studied for its novel chemistry. It produces useful anti-inflammatory and skin healing drugs. J. C. Delbeek of many of the members of this genus. Pseudopterogorgia bipin-nata is similar in appearance, but the branches are finer than in P. elisabethae. Pseudopterogorgia americana is very slimy, a characteristic that readily identifies it. It does not...
I Oye
Chelidonura varians approaching the flatworm Convolutriloba. J. Sprung In the blink of an eye Chelidonura varians slurps up the flatworm. J. Sprung We regret to report that Chelidonura varians are not very long lived. We have seen them lay nests of eggs, which they spin like a cocoon, but we have not been able to raise any young. It is possible that one or more of the numerous species in this genus would exhibit better survival in captivity, or that a captive culture effort could be made to...
Info Jtm
Sclerites of Nephthea. Scale bar is 0.5 mm. After Williams, 1993. This finely branched variety of Nephthea is frequently called Lito-phyton arboreum. Litophyton is probably synonymous with Nephthea. Photographed at Jago Aquaristik in Berlin. J. Sprung Common Name Broccoli coral, Cauliflower coral, Litophyton arboreum, Lithophyton, Nephthya, Nepthya, Nepthea Note the common mis-spellings. The correct spelling is Nephthea. Colour Brown, yellow, whitish, occasionally green Distinguishing...
Info Wtr
the different cnidae is an exercise reminiscent of the memorization of different types of sclerites in soft corals. It seems to be only for the most patient among lis If you really want to explore cnidae some more, an interesting review of different types of cnidae and their importance in taxonomic relationships was given - t Il.'.ti.l i-rVilT ' ' IVi riBfJ 1 HAIMMjV - t Il.'.ti.l i-rVilT ' ' IVi riBfJ 1 HAIMMjV
Info Jlo
Pterogorgia citrinus is usually yellow with brownish red calyces at Pterogorgia anceps is often dark purple, particularly when brightly illuminated in shallow water. J. C. Delbeek
Info Wch
The hybrid clownfish known as Amphiprion leucokranos, here living among the tentacles of Heter-actis crispa in a bed of encrusting soft coral, Sinularia sp. Fish with A. leucokranos characteristics are produced by crosses between Amphiprion chrysopterus and either A sandaracinos or A. perid-eraion. This fish is likely the offspring of a cross between Amphiprion chrysopterus and A. sandaracinos. This specimen is unusual because it has a complete headbar, an uncommon feature that makes it look...
Genus Capnella
Colonies are arborescent but some species may also be lobed. The lobes tend to be crowded with incurved polyps Mather and Bennett, 1993 . Sclerites on the interior are often globular, while those on the exterior of the branches and stalk tend to be shorter capstans, consisting of two distinct paits. There is an externally projecting, leaflike part and a more spindle-like basal portion that may or may not have high warts or root-like outgrowths Verseveldt, 1977 . There are currently 17 species...
Info Wiw
Longitudinal section and cross sections. After Barnes, 1980 The construction of anemones is accomplished with three tissue layers an outer ectoderm, inner endoderm, and a mesogloea sandwiched in between. The three tissue layers are essentially laminar but highly folded to form the large surface of mesenteries that partition the coelenteron. The body plan is radially symetrical, though the radial symmetry of anthozoa is properly termed bira-dial symmetry because their mesenteries occur as...
Info Fgh
There are some tilings that need mentioning regarding the use of underwater epoxies. First of all, although they are not toxic to marinelife, they do initially leach organic compounds into the water while curing. Once cured they do not leach anything into the water. The substances leached into the water are harmless, but they do tend to make a protein skimmer foam more than usual. For that reason we recommend turning the protein skimmer off or reducing the air input to the skimmer for 24 to 36...
Asexual
Asexual reproduction in anemones is usually accomplished by some means of vegetative propagation, but it can also occur through parthenogenetic development of individuals from unfertilized eggs. Asexual proliferation is viewed as a mode of growth
Info Gkl
Gorgonia ventalina may be purple or yellow. The most colourful ones receive strong UV illumination. In deeper water the yellow and the purple forms are nearly gray. If gradually acclimated to an increase in UV they will become more colourful as they develop protective pigments. J. C. Delbeek Gorgonia flabellum is usually yellow and it has branches flattened perpendicular to the plane of the fan. J. Sprung Gorgonia mariae photographed in the Caribbean. G. Schiemer
Info Wpa
Colour Brown usually, often with green oral disc. Sometimes mostly green, sometimes with white marbling or white stripes. The shade of brown ranges from straw colored to chocolate, often with slight reddish hue like cinnamon. Distinguishing Features Gigantic polyps compared to other members of the genus. Polyps to at least 5 cm 2 in. diameter. Otherwise quite like other members of the genus. Similar Species Protopalythoa variabilis from the Caribbean wlien found in deep water may resemble this...
Info Uzk
the different types, suffice it to say that some are specialized for capturing food items e.g. spirocysts while others play defensive or aggressive roles e.g. homotrichs see den Hartog, 1980, for a complete description of the various types . Nematocysts can be found in tentacles, the swollen tips of tentacles acrospheres , the mesenterial filaments and the body column, and are used as taxo-nomic characters for identification purposes see den Hartog, 1980 . Figure 3.2 Some types of nematocysts...
Scientific Name Heteractis aurora
Common Name Sand Anemone, Beaded Sea Anemone, Mat Anemone, Aurora Anemone, Button Anemone Colour Usually grayish white with white banding on the central part of the oral disc around the mouth. Sometimes greenish, rarely purple. Distinguishing Characteristics Beaded tentacles. Heteractis aurora seldom contains large adult clownfish or sexually mature pairs. It is thus termed a nursery anemone Fautin and Allen, 1992 . Similar Species Quite similar to Phymantbus species, which also have beaded...
Info Eix
Thalassianthus aster proliferates rapidly in aquaria and stings other invertebrates. Though quite beautiful, it is a pest. Note how much the tentacles resemble those of soft corals such as Anthelia or Clavu-laria. A. J. Nilsen.
Similar Species Parazoanthus spp
Natural Habitat Epizoantbus spp. are found in close association with sponges, hydroids and pagurid crabs. Several species are found growing witliin the body wall of hexactinellid sponges, encrusting hydroids and covering the carapace of deep water pagurid crabs. The zoanthids cover the carapace of the crab, eventually dissolving it awray, completely enclosing the crab, a condition knowrn as carcinoecium Hyman, 1940 . Not all species are exclusively associated with a host sponge or other...
Info Ank
This Amphiprion ocellaris is certainly comfortable in among the tentacles of its host anemone, a brilliant green Stichodactyla haddoni. Photographed at the Balti more Aquarium. J. C. Delbeek. ingestion of anemone mucus, but we cannot rule out the potential for tactile stimulation and enjoyment here, or that the firing of some nematocysts might cause a sensation for the fish like hot chili peppers A further extension of this behaviour is eating of tentacles. We have seen clownfish during...
Info Ldt
and amino acids, and incorporate these into their metabolism. The fact that both Zoanthus spp. and Protopalythoa spp. are commonly found in inshore areas with greater turbidity may be explained by the higher organic levels associated with such waters, which the zoanthids could be absorbing. For example, in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Protopalythoa Palytboa vestitus occurred in large numbers of up to 12,000 polyps per m , however, once sewage outfalls were moved further off shore, their numbers began...
Introduction
When we first proposed putting together a book of our experiences keeping invertebrates in marine aquaria, we thought that it would be a single volume describing the light-loving invertebrates most people were keeping at that time. However, as the project began to take shape it quickly became apparent that we could not possibly fit everything we knew into a single volume Hence this second volume was born. This volume contains the culmination of our efforts in gathering photos, taxonomic...
Info Lui
These varieties of Alcyonium we quite similar to Cladiella. They may have the ability to sting thin skin areas such as the underside of arms, a rare ability in soft corals. J. C. Delbeek This rare variety of Alcyonium forms dark brown encrusting mats with short soft branches that are beautifully fluid in strong water motion, it is similar to low encrusting Cladiella species, but does not become stiff nor blush white when the polyps close. J. Sprung Natural Habitat Alcyonium occur most...
Defensive and other notable structures Acontia and mesenterial filaments
We just mentioned that these thread-like processes, which serve primarily a digestive function, can also be used for defense against predators or other anemones encroaching on the territory. The extrusion of these whitish threads through the mouth or column wrall of an anemone is usually a sign of physical distubance such as rough handling, excessive wrater flow, inadequate water flow, or stinging by a neighboring invertebrate, for example. It can also be a sign that something is wrong about...
Info Twv
Kittredge, J. S. and Roberts, E. 1969 A carbon-phosphorus bond in nature. Science, 164, 37-42. Kleiber, M. 1961 The Fire of Life. An Introduction to Animal Energetics, John Wiley amp Sons, New York, 454 pp. Knop, D. 1996 Giant Clams. D hne Verlag, Ettlingen Germany. 255pp. Knop. D. 1997 Vegetative Vermehrung durch Fragmentation, DATZ Deutsche Aquarien- und Terrarien -Zeitschrift , 4, 231-235. Knowlton, N. and Keller, B. D. 1986 Larvae which fall far short of their potential highly localized...
Heteractis Magnifica
A lovely pale green H. magnifica with Amphiprion perideraion. clownfish such as A. chrysopterus with it. The anemone requires less food when clownfish are present. With inadequate lighting this anemone shrinks and eventually dies. Reproduction Asexual reproduction is occasional in the natural environment J. Sprung, pers. obs. and probably occurs by longitudinal fission. Sexual reproduction not reported in captivity. Scientific Name Heteractis magnifica Quoy and Gaimard, 1833 Common Name...
Scientific Name Thalassianthus aster
Common Name None Colour Grayish white Distinguishing Characteristics Looks like a cluster of soft coral polyps, like Anthelia, Xenici or Cluvuluria. Natural Habitat Reef flats or back reef margins among rock rubble. Aquarium Care Strong light and water motion. This is a pest species that can be difficult to eradicate. It stings and kills many coral species. Nevertheless it is a beautiful anemone, worthy of a small display by itself. Reproduction Asexual reproduction is typical, via longitudinal...
Info Vig
Discosoma Rhodactis sanc-tithomae. Note the smooth margin on the oral disc. This margin greatly extends at night to trap prey. Polyps with round tentacles like the specimen on the left were at one time classified as Orinia torpida, but are simply a variant of D. sanc-tithomae. The specimen on the right is the more common form. J. Sprung that resemble those of Ricordea florida. These round bubbles may swell quite large, and the contrast with the smooth outer edge of the oral disc is stunning....
Info Xlq
Pseudoplexaura spp. are among the most stunning of the photosyn- thetic gorgonians, with big feathery polyps that move beautifully in the current. S. W. Michael slimy to the touch, and have the most beautiful polyps. They resemble Plexaurella spp., but Pseudoplexaura spp. are usually very gray instead of pale brown, and Plexaurella never has purple sclerites in the axial sheath. Colonies grow absolutely huge, to at least eight feet tall and several feet across. These trees have a sturdy base...
Scientific Name Palythoa spp
Colour Golden brown, to cream, polyps often darker, will darken in aquaria with inadequate lighting. Sometimes with fluorescent green or yellow tentacles. Distinguishing Features Thick encrusting growth coenenchyma embedded with sand grains polyps open during the day and night zooxanthellate single sphincter muscle few mesenteries 15-20 mesenteries not mesh-like Mather and Bennett, 1993 . Palythoa mammillosa forms thicker, more cushion-like growths than the other species.
Info Ymo
Unidentified Discosoma Rhodactis sp. This species is grows much larger and has better developed tentacles on the oral disc. It has the same toe-like margin tentacles as R. cf. inchoata. It does not have a naked margin. J. Sprung Unidentifed green Rhodactis sp. This species is also closely related to R. cf. inchoata, but is clearly distinct from it. The tissue is thinner and the polyps grow larger. Note the toe-like margin tentacles. J. Sprung
Info Rzm
Dendronephthya hemprichi, fed extensively on phytoplankton, gaining more than enough carbon to cover respiration and growth requirements Fabricius et al., 1995b . Although this species also fed on zooplankton, only 2.4-3.5 of the daily carbon requirement of this coral was met by ingesting zooplankton. Three other asymbiotic Red Sea octocorals, D. sinaiensis, Scleronephthya corymbosa and the gorgonian Acabaria were also found to contain large quantities of phytoplankton in their gastrovascular...
Scientific Name Eunicea spy
Colour Usually pale gray with gray or brown polyps, but may be tan, yellow, or rarely, purple. Distinguishing Characteristics Sclerites in the axial sheath are mostly spindles, or blunt spindles and capstans, the latter being more typical of thicker branches and the main stem. These sclerites are often purple, sometimes violet or nearly colourless. Eunicea species usually have characteristic knobby projections for calyces that afford an Acropora- ike appearance w hen the polyps are closed....
Info Sdv
This diagram is based on an imaginary anemone that has features of endomyaria and mesomyaria. Top section is at the level of the pharynx, bottom is below the pharynx. Tentacles _____Catch Tentacle
Scientific Name Cavernularia obesa
Colour Brown or light tan with white tipped polyps. Sclerites of Cavernularia. Scale bar is 0.05 mm. After Williams, 1993. Distinguishing Characteristics Soft clavate club shaped colony. Primary polyp forms a muscular peduncle, like the column and foot of a sea anemone, which buries and anchors the coral in the substrate. The upper portion of the primary polyp forms a reduced axis. Secondary polyps are arranged around the entire length of the primary polyp. Sclerites are usually smooth needles...
Info Lfu
Natural Habitat Intertidal along rocky or mangrove lined shorelines, in bays and protected oceanic coasts. Also on reefs on live rock. Occurs even in deep water. Usually occurs where there is good tidal exchange. Aquarium Care Ignore, Inject with boiling water, copper sulfate, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or sprinkle calcium chloride crystals over it, cuss and shout, add copperband butter-flyfish to eat it. This anemone will thrive anyway. But seriously, this anemone has...
Info Rpm
branched colonies in which the branches grow more or less in one plane branched colonies in which the branches are joined together to form a net-like structure colonies consisting of several polyps interconnected by stolons arborescent colonies with numerous bundles of polyps growing together in umbrella-like groups erect colonies devoid of lateral parts
Scientific Name Rhodactis cf inchoata Carlgren 1943
Common Name Hairy Mushroom Anemone, Tonga Blue Mushroom Colour Blue, turquoise, purple, rusty red-orange. Distinguishing Characteristics In large polyps the tentacles on the oral disc are highly branched and look like stony coral polyps. A distinct type of tentacle at the disc margin forms a row of toes This species does not have a naked margin, but it sometimes curls the margin underneath the oral disc so that the tentacles are not apparent. Similar Species lliere are several related species...
Family Anthothelidae
Scientific Name Diodogorgia nodulifera Common Name Finger Sea Fan. Yellow Finger, Red Finger Colour Two colour morphs. One is bright orange-yellow with red calyces and white polyps. The other is deep red with red calyces and white polyps. Distinguishing Characteristics Brittle breaks easily. Does not grow very large, usually about 10 cm 4 in tall, up to 25 cm 10 in , and generally not more than 25 cm 10 in across. The sclerites on the interior are reddish. Not photosynthetic. Similar Species...
Info Usc
Calow, P. 1977b Ecology, evolution and energetics a study in metabolic adaptation. In A. Macfayden ed. , Advances in Ecological Research, Vol. 10, Academic Press, New York, pp. 1-62. Calow, P. 1978 Life Cycles An Evolutionary Approach to the Physiology of Reproduction, Development and Ageing, Chapman and Hall, London, 164 pp. Calow, P. 1979 The cost of reproduction-a physiological approach. Biol. Rev., 54, 23-40. Calowr, P. 1981 Growth in lower invertebrates. In M. Rechcigl ed. , Physiology of...
Scientific Name Lobophytum spy
Sclerites of Lobophytum, Scale bar is 0.2 mm. After Williams, 1993. Common Name Devil s hand, finger leather, Lobophyton Please note that the correct spelling of the genus is Lobophytum. Aquarists often confuse the spelling, changing the ending urn to on because of the spelling of the closely related Sarcophyton. Colour Pale brown or gray with white tentacled polyps. Occasionally yellow or greenish. Distinguishing Characteristics This genus is very closely related to Sarcophyton, and some...
Scientific Name Scleronephthya sp
Common Name Strawberry corals. Pink Orange cauliflower Colour Pink, orange, yellow, red Distinguishing Characteristics Contracted colonies can have a rather fleshy and lobular appearance with short stalks from which the branches extend. When expanded it is obvious that the polyps Scleronephthya sp. J. C. Delbeek Scleronephthya sp. J. C. Delbeek Scleronephthya sp. Note the sclerites. A. Storace
Info Wmd
This soft coral sold under the common name Clove Polyp comes from Indonesia. It has not been identified positively, but may belong to the genus Acrossota. J. C. Delbeek Family Clavulariidae Hickson, 1894 Scientific Name Acrossota sp. We were unable to get a positive identification for this soft coral, which is a close relative of Clavularia spp. It may be Acrossota, but this needs careful investigation and examination of the original specimens of that species for positive confirmation P....
Info Blg
Typical colony shape of Plexaurella. J. Sprung Two quite different species of Plexaurella. The lower specimen has round pores like Pseudoplex-aura, but it does not have purple sclerites inside. J. Sprung Closeup of Plexaurella, showing the typical slit-pore-like calyces J. Sprung Common Name Corky sea fingers, Slit-pore sea rod Colour Light brown, almost yellow, with darker brown polyps. Distinguishing Characteristics Plexaurella species have a corky appearance when the polyps are retracted. P....
Info Yut
less coordinated when the pH is low, and the tentacles curl outward, the tips not touching equally when they are brought together. When the pH increases the tentacles curl inward and the tips touch in a more coordinated central point. Xenia are mostly dependent on their symbiotic zooxanthellae for their nutrition. The pumping, often mistakenly interpreted as planktonic prey capture, does not serve this function. Xenia do not capture zooplankton, but this does not mean that they don't take food...
Scientific Name Chironephthya sy
Common Name among aquarists Dendronephthya Colour Pink, purple, red, yellow, orange. Distinguishing Characteristics Branchy soft corals with appearance somewhere between gorgonians and Dendronephthya, with brightly colored spicules and polyps. In some species drooping branches arise from an upright stalk, in others the entire colony is upright Gosliner, et a ., 1996 . The branches tend to be rather stout and end abruptly, there is no tapering off as in other soft corals. The polyps are located...
Info Oku
In the Solomon Islands Julian Sprung found this specimen of possible bud on its oral disc. What is this swollen knob of tissue with tentacles Could it be the product of an injury an abnormal growth of tissue or is it a rare example of budding J. Sprung This form of budding occurs in Stichodactyla gigantea and is probably the same basic technique shown in the photo of S. mertensii. A portion of tissue on the oral disc or upper margin of the column becomes differentiated, develops a pedal disc,...
Info Jsm
peristome - mouth, region around the mouth. phagocytosis - intake of small particles of food via invagination of the surface of the cell. See pinocytosis. pharynx - see acti no pharynx. pinocytosis - intake of dissolved matter by cells via formation of invaginations on their surface that seal off to become liquid-filled bubble-like vesicles called vacuoles within the cell. The vacuole membrane then disintegrates, releasing the engulfed material in the cytoplasm cytosol of the cell. When this...
Photosynthetic Gorgonians
Whereas the leather corals of the genera Sinularia and Sarco-phyton are the dominant photosynthetic soft corals in the In do-Pacific region, with just a few photosynthetic gorgonians there for good measure, in the Caribbean the photosynthetic gorgonians rule the scene, and there are no leather corals. Caribbean gorgonians are very popular with European hobbyists since they are hardy, beautiful, and include many varied species. In North America they have not been made as readily available as in...
Coral Diseases
We want to discuss some types of coral disease that we did not cover in volume one. One is rapid tissue necrosis, which is actually a group of similar diseases, and the other is gaping, for lack of a better word, a disease that affects large polyped corals. Gaping is manifest by the wide opening of the mouth in large polypecl corals. The mouth stays open while the coral tissue is deflated. Looking into the mouth one can see the mesenteries and the septa. As the condition worsens, the mouth...
Info Mlz
to allow for greater survivability of large clam populations growing within their colonies by slowing pr dation on clams by sea stars Patton, et ai, 1991 the sea stars presumably get hot feet Other corallimorphs have been observed to release mesenterial filaments from the mouth and distal tentacles too. Hamner and Dunn 1980 found that Rbodactis boivesii extruded mesenterial This deep-sea corallimorpharian, Corallimorphus profundus, photographed at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, has mesenterial...
Info Wdt
can be elongated or short depending on location collected i.e. shallow or deep, from crevices or in the open Muirhead and Ryland, 1985 . The great variety in body and tubercle shape led to much taxonomic confusion, with several species being described. Recent work has shown that most of these species were in fact morphs of . tuberculatus see Muirhead and Ryland J 985 . Similar Species Isaurus maculatus Ryland 1979 and Isaurus cliftoni Gray, 1867 . Isaurus maculatus also has tubercles but they...