About Exaiptasia diaphana (Rapp, 1829)
Exaiptasia diaphana is a species of sea anemone that typically appears semitranslucent, with possible coloration in brown, gray, or white. Its brown color comes from Symbiodinium microadriaticum, a mutualistic photosynthetic zooxanthellae that lives within the anemone's tissue. This species can have up to 96 tentacles, arranged around its oral disk. Two rows of cinclides run along these tentacles, and they hold protruding acontia. The anemone is able to protrude its acontia when it becomes disturbed. When fully extended, the tentacles can spread up to 8 centimeters (3 inches) across. The anemone's body can grow up to 5.1 centimeters (2 inches) tall, and up to 1.3 centimeters (0.5 inches) wide. Ecologically, Exaiptasia diaphana is a known prey item for two species of sea slug: Berghia coerulescens and Spurilla neapolitana.
