Clock face anemone (Peachia cylindrica)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

The disc and 12 tentacles are a translucent greyish-brown, cream or white. The tentacles have a W-shaped pattern in shades of brown, cream and white. This species has a translucent, flesh-coloured, buff or brownish column that is irregularly streaked and speckled with brown or a reddish colour. This anemone has no adhesive basal disc. A small lobed projection in the mouth, the conchula, is unique to this genus. The column is variable in form - when buried it elongates and is up to 30 cm in length and 2.5 cm in diameter. When not buried the column shape and size can vary from being fully elongated and sausage-shaped to short and almost spherical.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Recorded for all coasts of Britain and Ireland (Manuel, 1988).

Global distribution

Recorded in western Europe and occasionally in the Mediterranean.

Habitat

Peachia cylindrica burrows in sand or gravel and is typically found offshore down to about 50 m but may be found inshore on wave sheltered coasts and occasionally on shore around low water level.

Depth range

-

Identifying features

  • This anemone has 12 pale translucent greyish-brown tentacles with a W-shape pattern in shades of brown, cream and white.
  • This species has no basal disc and usually lives in the sediment with only tentacles and disc above surface.
  • Conchula, a small lobed projection in the mouth, is unique to this genus.

Additional information

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Listed by

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Further information sources

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Bibliography

  1. Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. (ed.) 1995b. Handbook of the marine fauna of North-West Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

  2. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E., 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  3. Manuel, R.L., 1988. British Anthozoa. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series) (ed. D.M. Kermack & R.S.K. Barnes). The Linnean Society of London [Synopses of the British Fauna No. 18.]. DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/iroh.19810660505

  4. Stephenson, T.A., 1935. The British Sea Anemones, vol. 2. London: Ray Society.

Datasets

  1. Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, 2018. Ulster Museum Marine Surveys of Northern Ireland Coastal Waters. Occurrence dataset https://www.nmni.com/CEDaR/CEDaR-Centre-for-Environmental-Data-and-Recording.aspx accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-25.

  2. Fenwick, 2018. Aphotomarine. Occurrence dataset http://www.aphotomarine.com/index.html Accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01

  3. Kent Wildlife Trust, 2018. Kent Wildlife Trust Shoresearch Intertidal Survey 2004 onwards. Occurrence dataset: https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/ accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01.

  4. Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2022. Isle of Man historical wildlife records 1990 to 1994. Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/aru16v accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-27.

  5. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  6. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2025. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2025-05-21

  7. South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre, 2023. SEWBReC Marine and other Aquatic Invertebrates (South East Wales). Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/zxy1n6 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-27.

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Peckett, F. & Garrard, S. L. 2008. Peachia cylindrica Clock face anemone. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 21-05-2025]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1815

Last Updated: 24/04/2008