General Description

This anemone is often mistaken for Oulactis muscosa, a species recently thought to be restricted to eastern areas of Victorian coastline. Frill around the top edge of the column, underneath the tentacles. Specialised stinging structures (acrorhagi) around the edge of the column, specialised adhesive structures (verrucae) on the upper column. Animal may be of various colours; white, green, yellow, light brown. Oral disc similar colour to that of the tentacles. Tentacles have a distinctive white spot patterning however this may be absent in some animals. Column up to 6 cm wide.

Biology

These anemones have microscopic algae (zooxanthellae) in the tentacles and upper column that turn sunlight into energy for the anemone (photosynthesis). The zooxanthellae may give the animal a grey appearance.

Habitat

Rocky reef at low tide level and sand areas, commonly found attached to rocks buried in sandy substrates in low to sub-tidal intertidal zone, to depth of 5 m.

Reefs

Soft substrates

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Western and central Victoria.

Species Group

Anemones

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

6 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 6662

Identify

• Anemones

Conservation Status

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