Dahlia Anemone - Urticina eques

Closely related to a smaller species found in shallower waters this large form of the Dahlia Anemone, Urticina eques, exists in a huge range of gaudy colours. It can be as much as 20cms across and will envelop just about anything that its sticky, stinging tentacles come into contact with - crabs, sea urchins, prawns, fish all make a welcome meal. Whilst digesting its food, the anemone draws its tentacles into its stem and basically shuts down, looking like an unattractive lump of dense jelly.