Species Type:
Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Ringed anemone
Size:
Ringed anemones can grow up to 15 inches (3.8 centimeters) in disc diameter.
Diet:
Using its polyp tentacles, ringed anemones catch and eat smaller marine organisms, like plankton, that drift by.
Range & Habitat:
In the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean, this anemone can be seen under ledges, coral reef colonies and rocky areas.
Details:
Ringed anemones are notable for their impressive number of tentacles—sometimes up to 200 tentacles can be seen, providing them with a distinctive appearance in their reef habitat. Their tentacles are used for both defense and capturing prey, with each one containing stinging cells to immobilize prey.