Jewel Anemone

About

Jewel 'anemone' (Corynactis viridis) is one of those animals that routinely gets misidentified. Despite the common name, it is not a true anemone but rather a corallimorpharian, sitting somewhere between stony corals and anemones in the cnidarian family tree. Native to the Atlantic and Mediterranean, it colonizes rocky substrates in cool, dimly lit waters, often carpeting vertical surfaces and overhangs in dense, colorful patches. Individual polyps are small but vivid, typically displaying a translucent body capped with knobbed tentacles that can vary considerably in color across a population. Greens, pinks, oranges, and whites are all possible. In the aquarium, this subtropical species actually appreciates conditions that many reef keepers consider suboptimal: low light and gentle flow suit it well, which makes it an interesting option for shadier tank regions where other corals might struggle. It is sessile and relatively undemanding in terms of positioning, and its beginner-friendly care rating reflects a tolerance for the kind of imperfect conditions that newer saltwater keepers often deal with. Colonies spread through clonal reproduction, so given time and stable conditions, a small initial group can expand into a respectable display on its own.