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Beadlet anemone

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Scientific name: Actinia equina
Have you ever seen those dark red jelly blobs whilst rockpooling? These incredible creatures are beadlet anemones! They live attached to rocks all around the coast of the UK, the base of their body acting like a sucker to keep them in one place until the tide goes out.

Top facts

Stats

Diameter: 5cm

Conservation status

Common

When to see

January to December

About

Most commonly spotted as dark red blobs in rockpools, beadlet anemones are attached to rocks all around the coast of the UK, the base of their body acting as a sucker to keep them secure in place. The magic of the beadlet anemone is only revealed once the tide comes in; as it is only then that their thick short tentacles become visible. They use these tentacles to sting and catch passing prey like crabs, shrimp and small fish. These are then retracted at low tide or when disturbed.

What to look for

A stocky anemone, up to 5cm in diameter, with short thick tentacles. Normally dark red in colour though sometimes green or orange. Retracts its tentacles when disturbed or when the tide goes out - leaving what resembles a blob of jelly!

Where to find

On rocky shores around all our coasts.

Habitats

Did you know?

Beadlet anemones are highly territorial. They have a ring of beautiful bright blue beads beneath their tentacles called acrorhagi that are packed full of stinging cells. They use these beads to fight off other anemones and defend their preferred patch.

Watch

Beadlet anemone (https://vimeo.com/642321990)

Nick Upton