Grass Crack Anemone

Paranemonia cinerea

Paranemonia cinerea, commonly referred to as the grass crack anemone, is a sea anemone found primarily in the Mediterranean Sea. It inhabits coastal lagoons, particularly in the Adriatic Sea, and is known to be present along the coasts of countries such as Albania, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain. Although once thought to be exclusive to the Mediterranean, it was discovered in the Ria de Arosa in 1992. This species can be easily confused with Anemonia sulcata, complicating identification. This anemone is sessile and typically found in infralittoral zones. It is solitary in nature, meaning it does not form colonies like some other anemone species. Paranemonia cinerea belongs to the class Anthozoa, which includes species that can be either gonochoric or hermaphroditic. Reproduction involves mature gametes being released into the coelenteron and then spawned through the mouth. The resulting zygote develops into a planktonic planula larva, which eventually undergoes metamorphosis, forming tentacles and a pharynx before settling. Divers encountering Paranemonia cinerea can expect to find it in shallow coastal waters, often nestled in lagoons. As a sessile organism, it remains fixed in place, making it relatively easy to observe. The IUCN has assessed its conservation status as Data Deficient.