General Description

Body and tentacles red with blue specialised structures (acrorhagi) around the edge of the column. Column up to 4 cm wide.

Biology

Waratah Anemones defend their own territory by attacking intruders with repeated strikes from their acrorhagi. The acrorhagi have many stinging capsules (nematocysts), which are filled with toxin.

Habitat

Rocky reef, high intertidal rocky shore in crevices, to depth of 1 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

New Zealand, southern and eastern Australia.

Species Group

Anemones

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

4 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Identify

• Anemones

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed