Banded Tube Dwelling Anemone

Appearance

The Banded Tube has a long, soft, cylindrical body, a pointed foot, a crown of tentacles and a tube. The anemone can reach about 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter, with its with its tentacles reaching out another 12 inches (30 cm).
There is a pointed foot on one end and a crown of tentacles on the other. It uses its pointed foot to burrow deep into a sandy or muddy substrate where it constructs a hard tube to live in.

Naming

Also referred to as just the Tube Anemone or Tube Dwelling Anemone, Banded Tube Anemone.
Synonyms:
Cerianthus mana (misspelled maua)
Cerianthus maua
Cerianthus maúa Carlgren, 1900
Pachycerianthus mana (misspelled)

Distribution

Occurrence:
Indonesia, Lembeh Strait, Red Sea, Sulawesi

Status

IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Behavior

It is a nocturnal species (lacks zooxanthellae) and usually extends from its tube during nighttime hours to feed on zooplankton, which is more readily available during this time frame.

Habitat

This Tube Anemone or Tube Dwelling Anemone inhabit sandy or muddy bottom. It is found in small groups in shallow sandy coastal areas at depths of about 15 - 100 feet (5 - 30 m).

Food

It feeds mainly on zooplankton, but also eats small fishes.

Predators

Its only known predator is the Rainbow Nudibranch Dendronotus iris, which never actually kills the tube anemone. This nudibranch just eats and runs, leaving enough behind for the anemone to regenerate.

The ectoparasitic copepod Myxomolgus hoi hosts on Pachycerianthus maua.

Defense

The name ' tube anemone' is derived from their ability to build a tube to live in. It was previously believed that they created their tube by releasing a mucus, which then become covered with sand. Today however, it is known that they create the tube by releasing threads of a special type of nematocysts called 'ptychocyst'. The result is a woven fibrous structured of stinging cells that help protect it from attack. Though its tentacles are non-retractable, if it is frightened or disturbed it can instantly withdraw its whole body into the tube for safety.

Migration

Tube anemones from the Pachycerianthus genus have been known to move across the bottom of the sea floor using their tentacles. They will move over 3 feet or more until they find a spot they like and burrow again. They may also swell up and let the current take them.

Uses

True to its name, the Banded Tube Anemone has interesting and attractive “banding” on it’s tentacles. Because of this, it often becomes a new purchase for the novice aquarist. However, even though they are one of the warm water tube anemones, they are very difficult to care for and have a poor survival rate. Consequently they are recommended only for advanced aquarists.