Species · GBIF taxon 2256559
Beadlet Anemone
Actinia equinaAlso known as Beadlet Sea Anemone, Red Sea Anemone
Beadlet anemones are highly resilient predators of the intertidal zone, transforming from squishy, jelly-like blobs at low tide into beautiful, flower-like hunters when submerged. They are fiercely territorial, using a ring of bright blue, venom-packed beads called acrorhagi to sting and drive away rival anemones that encroach on their space. Uniquely adapted to survive hours of exposure to air, they trap water inside their closed bodies to prevent drying out.
IntertidalPredatoryResilient
Licensed referenceDiego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mussels
- Small crabs
- Isopods
Predators
- Grey sea slugs
- Sea spiders
- Starfish
ThreatsCoastal development, water pollution, and extreme temperature fluctuations
HabitatsRocky shores, tide pools, and crevices in the intertidal zone
Life spanDecades in the wild, with some captive specimens living over 50 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyActiniidae
- SpeciesActinia equina
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Possesses mild stinging cells; avoid touching sensitive skin and wash hands after contact.
- Why it is dangerous
- Uses stinging cells called nematocysts to paralyze prey, which can cause mild irritation or allergic reactions on sensitive human skin.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by its smooth, dark red or brown column and a ring of bright blue beads just below the tentacles.
- What to do
- Observe without touching; if contact occurs, avoid touching your face or eyes before washing your hands.
Responsible observation
- Look for blobs: At low tide, search for what look like shiny, dark red jelly blobs clinging to vertical rock faces.
- Observe the beadlets: During high tide or in deep pools, look just below the tentacles for the bright blue beads called acrorhagi.
Competitor Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableCo-habitant Close Relative
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