Magnificent Sea Anemone (species: Radianthus magnifica) in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Lizard Island area: all known taxa > Animalia > Cnidaria > Anthozoa > Hexacorallia > Actiniaria > Stichodactylidae > Radianthus > Radianthus magnifica (gallery)
Radianthus magnifica
Magnificent Sea Anemone


©Mike Bok: Radianthus magnifica with anemonefish Amphiprion perideraion at Lizard Island.

©Anne Hoggett: Radianthus magnifica with fish Amphiprion percula on the northern side of Lizard Island.

©Barbara Banks: Radianthus magnifica with fish Amphiprion perideraion at Lizard Island

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Hexacorallia
Order Actiniaria
Family Stichodactylidae
Genus Radianthus
Species Radianthus magnifica
Status unspecified

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Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

Colours

                                  

Distinguishing features

A large, spectacular anemone (up to 100 cm diameter) with a brightly-coloured cylindrical "column" or body and numerous blunt tentacles all of similar length, up to about 75 mm. Colour varies, including blue, purple, green, orange, and pink. Occupies an exposed position. The tentacles are fully exposed when the column is relaxed and can be almost fully concealed when retracted into the column.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Usually found attached to hard substrate in a prominent position

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia: Not abundant in the Lizard Island area

Behaviour

Fautin and Allen (1992) list numerous damselfish symbionts for this anemone. In the Lizard Island area, its most common fish associate is Amphiprion perideraion.

Web resources

References

References that assist with identification

  • Fautin, D.G. and G.R. Allen (1992). Field guide to anemonefishes and their host sea anemones Western Australian Museum, Perth, WA.

Other references

  • Arvedlund, M., I. Bundgaard and L.E. Nielsen (2000). Host imprinting in anemonefishes (Pisces: Pomacentridae): does it dictate spawning site preferences? Environmental Biology of Fishes, 58: 203-213. LIRS catalog number 600.
  • Fautin, D.G. (1984). Competition by anemonefishes for a preferred host actinian, American Zoologist, 24(3): 543. LIRS catalog number 193.
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