Long-tentacled Anemone (Anthopleura michaelseni) is a southern African anemone of shallow rock crevices and sand-influenced habitat, often partly buried with long tentacles exposed.
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Identification required
Confirm the species identity before applying species-specific aquarium-care advice.
Species identification must be established before species-specific aquarium questions enter the care queue.
Anthopleura michaelseni is distinct from Radianthus doreensis. Tropical host-anemone defaults have been withdrawn. Species-specific environmental, feeding and permanent housing limits still require verification.
Habitat and Distribution
A southern African anemone of shallow rock crevices and sand-influenced habitat, often partly buried with long tentacles exposed. Its documented range includes Southern Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Shallow rocky coasts.
Feeding and Ecological Role
Captures small animals and suspended food with stinging tentacles and may also benefit from dissolved and particulate organic matter.
Conservation and Responsible Sourcing
Respect local intertidal collection rules and preserve precise locality data. Verify legal origin, collection method, and current trade requirements before acquisition.
Identity before aquarium planning
Anthopleura michaelseni is recorded from southern Africa. It is distinct from the tropical clownfish-hosting Radianthus doreensis, despite overlapping common names. The former generic tropical host-anemone values have been withdrawn from this care record. Temperature, lighting, feeding and permanent housing require source-population and species-specific corroboration; no replacement numeric limits are asserted here.
Deeper care evidence review
Two search engines were queried for species-matched feeding, culture and rearing evidence. No applicable primary care protocol was accepted from the retrieved material in this bounded review. General natural-history accounts, related-species care and unexamined search candidates do not establish a validated ration or lifecycle protocol. Existing care evidence gaps remain open; this is not a claim that no further evidence exists. Remaining evidence gaps: Environmental operating limits; Captive diet; Permanent housing; Community compatibility. Full lifetime husbandry remains unverified.
A living record
MLL foundation profile reviewed against FishBase or the World Register of Marine Species; conservation language remains deliberately qualified where a current assessment has not been attached. Public content last reviewed October 2, 2026.
- World Register of Marine Species ↗Taxonomic authority
- WoRMS — Anthopleura michaelseni ↗Reference source