Animal Profiles
Corals and anemones

Sea Anemone

Actiniaria

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Sea anemones are tentacled cnidarians. This account describes the giant green anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica), a familiar animal of northeastern Pacific rocky shores.

Anthopleura xanthogrammica, the representative described in this account.

Anthopleura xanthogrammica, the representative described in this account.

Stan Shebs · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Giant green anemones attach to firm surfaces in tide pools and shallow water along western North America.
Habitat
Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Mussels, crabs, small fish and other animals can be caught by the tentacles and moved to the mouth.

Classification

Common name
Sea Anemone
Browse group
Corals and anemones
Scientific name or taxon
Actiniaria
Taxon rank
order
Order
Actiniaria
Source classification
Anthozoa

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its mouth is surrounded by tentacles.
  • Stinging cells help capture prey.
  • Adults attach to firm surfaces.

Habitat and range

Giant green anemones attach to firm surfaces in tide pools and shallow water along western North America. Wave-washed rocky habitats provide attachment and access to food.

Appearance and adaptations

A cylindrical column supports a ring of tentacles around the mouth. Stinging cells help capture prey, while the green appearance is influenced by symbiotic organisms in the tissues.

Diet and behaviour

Mussels, crabs, small fish and other animals can be caught by the tentacles and moved to the mouth. Attached adults generally move very little.

Sources

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