Strawberry corallimorpharian (Corynactis californica)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Cnidaria · Class: Hexacorallia · Order: Corallimorpharia · Family: Corallimorphidae · Genus: Corynactis.

Accepted name: Corynactis californica · Authority: Carlgren, 1936 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 283836.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=283836 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Corynactis californica. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 2.5 cm · Depth range: 0–45 m · Habitat zone: sessile · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100.

SeaLifeBase notes: Size refers to tentacular crown diameter (Ref. 865). It is found on rocks, particularly where currents prevail (Ref. 865).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 44816) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Corynactis-californica.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

2,336 georeferenced occurrence records for Corynactis californica are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 65 distinct locations from a sample of 2,336 records, omitting 36 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: United States of America (2,103); Australia (137); Canada (61); Mexico (26); France (1).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2260687) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2260687&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=283836 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The strawberry anemone grows no larger than 2.5 cm. The anemone can be red, pink, purple, brown, yellow, or completely white. They possess tentacles that are white or transparent with bulbous tips. The strawberry anemone resembles sea anemones in that they lack a calcareous skeleton, but are closer related to stony corals in that they lack basilar muscles. This species lacks photosynthetic symbionts.

The strawberry anemone is known to reproduce both sexually and asexually, with asexual reproduction used to cover more available ground. The anemone is known to attack other species of sea anemone and coral that they are competitive with, as to take over the areas left behind by the previous occupants. They attack with toxins passed through prolonged contact. The same method is used in self-defense and in food consumption.

The strawberry anemone can reproduce both sexually and asexually through fission and budding. It is dioecious, and produces both egg strings and testicular cysts in sync through all polyps in a clone. The gametes are stored in the mesoglea, in the gastrovascular cavity. They are typically produced in an annual cycle between August and November, and are spawned from late November to mid-December. Gametes are released into the surrounding water, where they form embryos that turn into planktonic larvae within 2–3 days.

The strawberry anemone has been shown to attack competing species of sea anemone and coral when in prolonged contact with them. Attacks are conducted after prolonged contact between the strawberry anemone's tentacles and rival species. The attack is done through releasing their mesenteries and attaching their mesenterial filaments, thin white strings that contain enzymes and toxins, with the rival species. With prolonged contact, they are able to kill off these species, and asexually reproduce to take over the space left behind. However, the strawberry anemone does not attack other members of its own species, a unique trait amongst surrounding anemone species.

The strawberry anemone also used their mesenterial filaments for other reasons, including assisting in the consumption of larger prey, or as a self-defence mechanism against predators such as Dermasterias imbricata.

Studies conducted on Corynactis californica suggest that the anemone grows well under the canopies of macroalgae rather than outside of them. Species of macroalgae that the strawberry anemone live under include Macrocystis pyrifera and Eisenia arborea. Eisenia arborea may assist the anemone in protecting planktonic larvae, and directing food particles to polyps.

Source: Wikipedia: Corynactis californica — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corynactis_californica (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

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