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!
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2 comments:

  1. Midmarsh JohnOctober 13, 2010 at 5:49 PM

    A fascinating life form. One minute like a piece of cast off sponge and the next the usual circular shape of an anemone.

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  2. mickOctober 13, 2010 at 6:43 PM

    Hi John, I had no idea what it was when I first saw it as it didn't look at all like any creature I had seen before.

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