• Norwegian: eremittkrepssjørose

Characteristics:

The cloak anemone has lilac or red spots on the body. This is very characteristic for this species, and it can hardly be confused with any other sea anemone. The pink or lilac tentacles are very thin and flexible and can grow to a length of 5 cm.

Habitat:

The cloak anemone lives almost exclusively on the back of the hermit crab, Pagurus prideaux. It protects the crab with it's tentacles. 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 cloak anemone.

Distribution:

It is common in Europe, from Norway to the Mediterranean.

Taxonomy:

This species is also known as A. carciniopados.