Snakelocks Anemone
Anemonia viridis
Habitat: Rocky shore, low shore and sun-lit rocky sea bed
Depth: 0-15m
Food: Zooplankton, tiny crustaceans and fish larvae
Size: Up to 20cm across
Lifespan: Over 10 years
Conservation Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
The snakelocks anemone has long tentacles and a short, squat central column. Unlike other anemones, it cannot pull its tentacles in. The 200 or so tentacles are sticky and often tinged green with algae living on them. The anemone gains food from the algae as they convert energy from the sun, whilst the algae are protected on the tentacles and have a supply of carbon dioxide from the anemone.