Plumose anemones prefer to live in fast moving water and are very common all around the UK on rocky reefs where the currents bring an endless supply of food. The anemone has a tall column to hold itself up, and has a characteristically larger base. The tall column puts it in the best position to catch passing food in its feathery tentacles.

Behaviour

It has a tall column puts it in the best position to catch passing food in its feathery tentacles. Plumose anemones live in groups, up to 500 specimen per square meter. The entire group displays the same colour, commonly white orange or dark green but brown, grey or occasionally red or yellow varieties occur.

Size

Up to 30 cm high

Status

Common

Distribution

Attached to any suitable hard substratum in overhangs, caves and beneath boulders on the lower shore, and on pier piles and rock faces from the lower shore to at least 100 m.

When to see

All year around.

Facts

Gallery