Showing posts with label Haddon's Anemone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Haddon's Anemone. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Creatures of the Sand

The other day while walking out on the sand at Inskip Point I saw this Haddon's Anemone (Stichodactyla haddoni). It has a number of other common names including Saddle Anemone, Carpet Anemone, and Saddleback Carpet Sea Anemone. This one had caught a crab (in the upper right of the photo) which was still struggling rather feebly in an attempt to get free.
I have seen these anemones quite frequently out on the sand. Apparently they don't mind quite muddy environments. I have only seen relatively small ones - they can grow quite large - up to 50cm! My photos show some variation in color even in the same environment.
These Anemones can be kept in aquariums but since they are poisonous the advice is to 'handle with care'! I have seen small ones advertised on the internet for $89!