Beadlet Anemone
Actinia equina
Habitat: Rocky shore and rock pools to low shore
Depth: 1-10m
Food: Zooplankton, tiny crustaceans and fish larvae
Size: Up to 5cm across
Lifespan: Over 10 years
Conservation Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
Common on the rocky shore, beadlet anemones often look like blobs of jelly when the tide is out – their tentacles are pulled into the body to avoid drying out. The anemone’s stinging tentacles surround its mouth and trap and paralyse passing prey. The blue bumps at the base of the tentacles contain more stingers that are used in defence.