Swimming Anemone
VU

Swimming Anemone

Stomphia coccinea

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomphia_coccinea

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Swimming Anemone faces significant pressure from ocean acidification, which weakens the calcium carbonate structures of its prey organisms and affects its feeding success. Bottom trawling activities in its North Atlantic range destroy the rocky substrates and sessile communities it depends on for attachment and shelter. Climate-driven changes in water temperature and current patterns are altering the distribution of its planktonic food sources, forcing populations to relocate or face nutritional stress.

Threat summary

Habitat

Swimming Anemones inhabit rocky substrates and hard surfaces in cold North Atlantic waters, typically at depths of 10-200 meters. They attach to rocks, shells, and other sessile organisms in areas with strong currents that provide abundant planktonic food sources.

MARINE· major

Other threatened species in Actinostolidae

Rough-skinned Sea AnemoneVU

Rough-skinned Sea Anemone

Actinostola callosa

Unknown

Threatened in Australia

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Codonocarpus pyramidalis

Declining
EN

Acacia aprica

Unknown
CR

Dipturus mennii

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Swimming Anemone classified as Vulnerable?
Swimming Anemone is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Swimming Anemone faces significant pressure from ocean acidification, which weakens the calcium carbonate structures of its prey organisms and affects its feeding success. Bottom trawling activities in its North Atlantic range destroy the rocky substrates and sessile communities it depends on for attachment and shelter. Climate-driven changes in water temperature and current patterns are altering the distribution of its planktonic food sources, forcing populations to relocate or face nutritional stress.
Where does Swimming Anemone live?
Swimming Anemone occurs in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, and France (plus 13 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Swimming Anemone?
The main threats to Swimming Anemone are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.