Spinnaker anemone

spinnaker anemone
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Cnidaria
Class:	Anthozoa
Subclass:	Hexacorallia
Order:	Actiniaria
Family:	Actiniidae
Genus:	Korsaranthus Riemann-Zurneck, 1999
Species:	K. natalensis
Binomial name
Korsaranthus natalensis (Carlgren, 1938)

The spinnaker anemone, Korsaranthus natalensis, also known as the candy-striped anemone, is a species of sea anemone in the family Actiniidae.^[1] It is the only member of its genus.

Description

The spinnaker anemone is a medium-sized anemone of up to 10 cm in diameter. It is a vividly coloured red and white striped anemone. Its column has fine striping. It has about 50 broadly striped tentacles. Red and pink lines radiate outwards from its mouth. It has a walking disc which is red with white striping.^[2]

Distribution

The spinnaker anemone is endemic to the South African coast, where it is found from False Bay to Durban. It inhabits waters from 10 m to at least 30 m in depth.

Ecology

a close up of the parachute foot of a spinnaker anemone

This is a rare anemone. It is mobile and may be observed, when not attached to the reef, using its parachute-like walking disc to sail to new locations. It preys on octocorals.^[2]

References

1. Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
2. Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9