(Flakk - The Trondheim fjord / 12 meters / 7.06.2001)

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Actiniaria

Suborder: Nynantheae

Family: Hormathiidae

Scientific name: Adamsia carciniopados

 

Norwegian: eremittkrepssjørose

Biology: Species sometimes collaborate and even depend on each other. The cloak anemone lives on the back of the Pagurus prideaux. It protects the crab with its pink tentacles (acontia). The crab shakes its body if feeling threatened in any way, as a signal to the anemone to unleash the poisonous tentacles. On the other hand the crab provides a steady supply of food for the anemone.

Characteristics: The cloak anemone is easily recognized by the pink spots covering the body. The tentacles are placed on the back and below the crab.

Distribution: Found as far north as the Trondheim fjord (where there are plenty of them). It lives from a few meters depth and down to 200 meters, preferably on gravel, sandy, or stony substrate. Very common in the fjords.

The cloak anemone or hermit-crab anemone is also known as Adamsia palliata.

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