Scott & Jeanette Johnson, Kwajalein Unterwater
Info
Dofleinia armata Wassilieff, 1908
Dofleinia armata is the only species of its genus. The base of this species is broad, the column smooth and has a broad, flat oral disk. It has long inner tentacles that are at least twice as long as the outer tentacles. The tentacles have visible papillae on the surface. These contain very large nematocysts. The oral disk also has papillae, but weaker ones. These also contain nematocysts.
The surface of the tentacles ends in a somewhat swollen tip. The tentacles are either cream-colored, brown or plain and striped. They have a scale-like surface and are often seen curling up into a ball that hides the mouth.
The German name "Bewaffnete Anemone" (armed anemone) comes from the anemone's shootable stinging cells, which easily pierce human skin and cause severe, burning pain that can last for months, so be careful when handling these animals!
In the sea, these animals live in sandy and muddy bottoms in the sunlight zone.
Dofleina armata is not a symbiotic anemone, it needs regular fresh food in the form of small fish, vertebrates, zooplankton and also detritus and carrion, as it has no zooxanthellae.
Synonymised names
Dofelinia armata · unaccepted
Dofleina armata · unaccepted
Doflenia armata · unaccepted
Dofleinia armata is the only species of its genus. The base of this species is broad, the column smooth and has a broad, flat oral disk. It has long inner tentacles that are at least twice as long as the outer tentacles. The tentacles have visible papillae on the surface. These contain very large nematocysts. The oral disk also has papillae, but weaker ones. These also contain nematocysts.
The surface of the tentacles ends in a somewhat swollen tip. The tentacles are either cream-colored, brown or plain and striped. They have a scale-like surface and are often seen curling up into a ball that hides the mouth.
The German name "Bewaffnete Anemone" (armed anemone) comes from the anemone's shootable stinging cells, which easily pierce human skin and cause severe, burning pain that can last for months, so be careful when handling these animals!
In the sea, these animals live in sandy and muddy bottoms in the sunlight zone.
Dofleina armata is not a symbiotic anemone, it needs regular fresh food in the form of small fish, vertebrates, zooplankton and also detritus and carrion, as it has no zooxanthellae.
Synonymised names
Dofelinia armata · unaccepted
Dofleina armata · unaccepted
Doflenia armata · unaccepted
