Species · GBIF taxon 7812410
Haddon's Carpet Anemone
Stichodactyla haddoniAlso 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
Licensed referenceLiné1 / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Photosynthetic sugars from symbiotic algae, plankton, and small fish
- family
- Stichodactylidae
- threats
- Coral bleaching, habitat destruction, and over-harvesting for the aquarium trade
- life Span
- Decades
NE
Tentacles are highly sticky and venomous; avoid touching to prevent painful skin irritation.
Possesses powerful stinging cells called nematocysts that adhere strongly to human skin, causing painful rashes and localized swelling.
Never touch the tentacles directly; wear thick protective gloves if handling is necessary in an aquarium setting.- 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.