Flower Tube Anemone

Description:

Tube anemone vary in color: red, yellow, white, blue, etc. They build their tubes with grains of sand and other available material, then discharge stinging cells which coagulate into slime. They extend their tentacles out to collect plankton, and withdraw them if they sense danger. Their tentacles can give a painful sting. They feed on zooplankton, but can also eat small fish. They grow to about 30cm in length.

Habitat:

Found singly on coral and rocky reefs in cracks or buried in sandy substrate.

Notes:

The 3rd photo shows the anemone withdrawn into its tube. The attendant commensal shrimp is a Pacific Clown Anemone Shrimp.