''Heteractis malu'', also known as the malu anemone, delicate sea anemone or white sand anemone, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of sea anemone in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Stichodactylidae.

Description

This anemone has stout, sparse tentacles, almost always under 40mm in length, usually tipped with magenta colouration. These tentacles vary in length, even among a single radial row. The column has a pale cream or yellow colouration, with patches of deep yellow or orange sometimes present. It remains buried in sediment up to the level of the oral disc. The oral disc grows to a maximum diameter of 200 mm, is brown or purplish, possibly with a white, radial pattern. It may sometimes be bright green, but this is rare. This species is similar in appearance to ''

Macrodactyla doreensis ''Macrodactyla doreensis'', common names long tentacle anemone and corkscrew tentacle sea anemone, is a species of sea anemone in the family (biology), family Actiniidae. Description ''Macrodactyla doreensis'' has relatively few tentacles. They ...

'', '' Heteractis aurora'', and '' Heteractis crispa''. These species are also found burrowed into the sediment, and share the same red or yellow blotches. ''H. malu'' is primarily distinguished by its short sparse tentacles.

Distribution

''Heteractis malu'' occurs in scattered areas ranging from Japan in the north, to Australia in the south, east to the islands of

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state ...

and west to Sumatra. The only anemonefish associated with this species is Clark's anemonefish (''Amphiprion clarkii''). Sexually mature fish are rarely associated with ''H. malu'', however the reason for this is unknown. The relationship between anemonefish and their host sea anemones is highly

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in structure. The anemonefish is the active partner in establishing the interaction. As the single hosted anemonefish, ''A. clarkii'', is the extreme generalist, it may be that ''H. malu '' is a marginal host tolerated only by the least selective fish and only when no other host is available.

References

External links

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q1518532 Stichodactylidae Animals described in 1893