Flower Tube Anemone

Cerianthus filiformis, known commonly as the Tube Anemone, is a species of marine Cnidaria in the family Cerianthidae.

Cerianthus filiformis is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo- west Pacific area.

Cerianthus filiformis,whose physical resemblance can be open to confusion with its cousin the sea anemone, has a stretched and muscularised body which can reach 35 cm. This latter has the shape of a big polyp with numerous mobile tentacles.

The tint of tentacles goes from white, green, orange until purple, the central tentacles can have a different coloration from marginal tentacles.

Cerianthus filiformis as an invertebrate has to be protected from external aggression so it lives in a mucous tube which is sunk in the soft substrate, the tube can reach 100 cm. The animal shows only its tentacles to feed, usually at night time. The animal can retract itself inside the tube for resting or if it feels any danger.

Cerianthus filiformis feeds on all the small-sized and edible drifting food which pass within the reach of its tentacles.