Tag: Corals, Jellyfish & Sea Anemones (Cnidaria)

Containing around 9,000 species, Cnidaria is a large and extremely diverse phylum of marine animals, all of which share the presence of "cnidocytes" (specialised cells used for capturing prey) as their distinguishing feature. Cnidarians can generally be placed within one of the following four classes: Hydrozoa - eg. Hydra, "Fire Corals", colonial hydroids such as the Portuguese Man o' War Scyphozoa - "true jellyfish" Cubozoa - Box Jellyfish Anthozoa - Sea Anemones, Corals and Sea Pens

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Magnificent Anemones (Heteractis Magnifica) and Damselfish (Pomacentridae) at Chumphon Pinnacles, Koh Tao

Magnificent Anemones create a perfect haven for numerous small species of fish at

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Box Jellyfish (Cnidaria)

The species shown in this photograph belongs within the Carybdeidae family which is distinguished by the presence of four retractable tentacles, with one attached to a muscular base at each corner of the body.

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Magnificent Anemone (Heteractis Magnifica)

The tentacles of a Magnificent Anemone (Heteractis Magnifica) sway in the current at Sail Rock.

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Pink Anemonefish (Amphiprion Perideraion)

A Pink Anemonefish (Amphiprion Perideraion) resting within a Magnificent Anemone (Heteractis Magnifica), with which it shares a symbiotic relationship.