(photos of Ricardo R. Fernandez: specimens from Spain)
These sea anemones known as Aiptasia couchii look quite differently from the typical Aiptasia mutabilis, but, according to Schmidt (1972) belong to the same species. According to Schmidt two forms of Aiptasia mutabilis (the typical form and "couchii") differ in Mediterranean in size, colour, and, in part, by their ecology, however, intermediate specimens also exist. Further, he describes an occasion when smaller "Aiptasia couchii" has grown in aquarium to the typical Aiptasia mutabilis.
Taxonomy:
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Anthozoa
Order Actiniaria
