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Looe Key Reef Pictures

Golden colonial anemone

Palythoa caribaeorum

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Fun Facts

Golden colonial anemones contain a toxin that can ward off predators and unwanted visitors.

Species Type:

Invertebrates

Common Name(s):

Golden colonial anemone

Size:

Each golden colonial anemone disc is around a half an inch (1.3 centimeters) in diameter.

Diet:

Using its polyp tentacles, golden colonial anemone catch and eat smaller marine organisms that drift by. They also have a special algae—called zooxanthellae– in their tissues that photosynthesize the sun's rays into energy/food.

Range & Habitat:

In the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, golden colonial anemone can be found in tide pools, reef flats, hard bottom habitats and rocky shorelines.

Details:

Golden colonial anemone grow in large groups. Each anemone is a small disc with two rings of tiny, hair-like tentacles. They can range from white to yellow and brown in color.