Animal profile

Beadlet Anemone

Actinia equina

AnthozoaRocky intertidal shores and tide pools

Field profile

The beadlet anemone is a common shore anemone, usually dark red or brown, appearing as a smooth blob when the tide is out and opening into a ring of tentacles when submerged. A blue ring of small beads sits at the base of the tentacles. It broods its young internally.

Published field notes

2024-07-03

Beadlet Anemone

The beadlet anemone's blue beads are weapons

The ring of bright blue bumps below the tentacles is not ornament. Each bead is packed with stinging cells, and the anemone inflates and swings them against neighbours it does not recognise, driving territorial fights that can last hours.

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