Fauna
Invertebrate

Haddon's Carpet Anemone

Stichodactyla haddoni

Also known as Saddleback Carpet Anemone, Haddon's Anemone, Saddle Anemone

Haddon's carpet anemones feature a wide, undulating oral disc covered in short, blunt, and highly sticky tentacles that create a carpet-like appearance. They typically anchor their column deep into sandy or muddy substrates, retracting completely into the sediment when threatened. These marine invertebrates host a variety of symbiotic partners, including several species of anemonefish and tiny commensal shrimp.

SymbioticMarineInvertebrate
Haddon's Carpet Anemone reference1 / 4
Liné1 / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPlankton, Small fish, Crustaceans
Predators
  • Nudibranchs
  • Butterflyfish
  • Sea stars
ThreatsCoral bleaching, habitat destruction, and over-harvesting for the aquarium trade
HabitatsSandy lagoons, seagrass beds, and shallow reef flats
Life spanDecades
Classification
  1. FamilyStichodactylidae
  2. SpeciesStichodactyla haddoni
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Tentacles are highly sticky and venomous; avoid touching to prevent painful skin irritation.
Why it is dangerous
Possesses powerful stinging cells called nematocysts that adhere strongly to human skin, causing painful rashes and localized swelling.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by its flat, folded, carpet-like disc covered in very short, densely packed, sticky tentacles.
What to do
Never touch the tentacles directly; wear thick protective gloves if handling is necessary in an aquarium setting.
Responsible observation
  • Observe the sand line: Look for their discs spread flat against sandy bottoms near shallow reefs.
  • Watch for symbionts: Scan the tentacles closely to spot tiny commensal shrimp or protective anemonefish.
  • Do not touch: Avoid physical contact as their nematocysts cling tightly and can tear skin.
Related species
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