Waratah Anemone
Cherry Anemone
Click to enlarge image
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Actinia
- Species
- tenebrosa
- Family
- Actiniidae
- Suborder
- Endocoelantheae
- Order
- Actiniaria
- Subclass
- Hexacorallia
- Phylum
- Cnidaria
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 4 cm
Introduction
The Waratah Anemone is named after the beautiful red Waratah flower that is the emblem of New South Wales.
Identification
This small, brown-red anemone is the most noticeable species of anemone on Sydney's rocky shores.
Distribution
The Waratah Anemone is found throughout southern Australia.
Other behaviours and adaptations
At low tide the Waratah Anemone looks like a small red blob on crevices near rock pools. In this state it has all its tentacles drawn in to minimise its exposure to the air while it waits for the return of the tide. Quite often, a number of small anemones will be near the adult. This is because the young are released, fully developed, through the adult anemone's mouth. The offspring attach to the nearest rock surface available. At high tide or in rock pools with plenty of water, the anemone opens out to feed, unfurling its beautiful red tentacles.
