Calliactis parasitica
| Calliactis parasitica | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota | 
| Kingdom: | Animalia | 
| Phylum: | Cnidaria | 
| Subphylum: | Anthozoa | 
| Class: | Hexacorallia | 
| Order: | Actiniaria | 
| Family: | Hormathiidae | 
| Genus: | Calliactis | 
| Species: | C. parasitica  | 
| Binomial name | |
| Calliactis parasitica (Couch, 1844)  | |
| Synonyms | |
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Calliactis parasitica is a species of sea anemone associated with hermit crabs. It lives in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea at depths between the intertidal zone and 60 m (200 ft). It is up to 10 cm × 8 cm (3.9 in × 3.1 in) in size, with up to 700 tentacles, and is very variable in colour. The relationship between C. parasitica and the hermit crab is mutualistic: the sea anemone protects the hermit crab with its stings, and benefits from the food thrown up by the hermit crab's movements.