Animal Species:Swimming Anemone
The Swimming Anemone is the largest anemone commonly seen in Sydney's rock pools.
Swimming Anemone
Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
Alternative Name/s
Beach Ball, Brain Anemone
Identification
The colour of the tentacles and central column of the Swimming Anemone can be red, yellow, orange or blue, and they are often striped.
Size range
15 cm
Distribution
Swimming Anemones are found throughout the waters of southern Australia, from Western Australia to New South Wales.
Habitat
Swimming Anemones are found on intertidal rocky shores.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The Swimming Anemone is sometimes found attached to algae or rocks but is able to move around freely. It can crawl along the bottom or drift with the current. During the day the tentacles are usually collapsed but at night the anemone moves to the tips of plants to feed. Compared with other anemones, the Swimming Anemone is quite an agile predator.
Classification
- Species:
- tuberculosa
- Genus:
- Phlyctenactis
- Family:
- Actiniidae
- Suborder:
- Endocoelantheae
- Order:
- Actiniaria
- Subclass:
- Hexacorallia
- Class:
- Anthozoa
- Phylum:
- Cnidaria
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
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Tags sea anemones, invertebrates, identification, wildlife of sydney,