Thalassianthus aster

Thalassianthus aster is a species of sea anemone in the family Thalassianthidae.^[2] It dwells in a number of habitats, even existing symbiotically on top of other motile invertebrates such as hermit crabs in a relationship similar to the pom pom crab. Its nematocysts contain a Type-II Na+-channel toxin known as δ-TLTX-Ta1a according to the currently developing systematic nomenclature for peptide and protein toxins from sea anemones.^[3]

• 
  On a hermit crab
• 
  Red color morph
• 
  Stinging nematocysts

Thalassianthus aster
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Cnidaria
Subphylum:	Anthozoa
Class:	Hexacorallia
Order:	Actiniaria
Family:	Thalassianthidae
Genus:	Thalassianthus
Species:	T. aster
Binomial name
Thalassianthus aster Rüppell & Leuckart, 1828
Synonyms
Epicladia quadrangula Hemprich & Ehrenberg in Ehrenberg, 1834 Thalassianthes aster Rüppell Thallasianthus aster