Anemone

Description:

Actinia equina has a base adhesive and sucker-like, smooth column up to 7cm high and 6cm across when fully expanded, about 200 densely packed retractile tentacles which can reach 2cm in length and are arranged in 5-6 circles.They fold in quickly when the animal is disturbed. Has 24 relatively conspicuous blue spots arranged on the periphery of the oral disc outside the tentacles. When the tide is out it may appear as a blob of jelly up to3cm high.Colour is variable, brown red orange and green sometimes red with green- yellow spots (strawberry variety)

Habitat:

Common on rocks and in crevices from the middle shore down to 8m. Distribution Mediterranean, Atlantic English Channel and North Sea

Notes:

Like outher cnidarians they are carnivorous, catching their food with tentacles.