denise
08-12-2008, 05:07 PM
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/debbiebuck/anemonedebby.jpg
Although anemones look like pretty and harmless flowers, they are actually predators! They have a soft body, a muscular “foot”, which they use for slow movement, and to attach themselves to a hard surfaces such as rocks. Their mouth is surrounded by many tentacles that are armed with nemanocysts, stinging cells containing a cocktail mix of neurotoxins. These are used to paralyze and capture passing prey such as fish, mussels, copepods and worms.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/anemonefontplay_1.jpg
Typical anemone showing tentacles surrounding "mouth"
There are more than 1,000 species of anemones found in oceans worldwide, from shallow coastal waters down to the deep oceans. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Anemones usually live for a long time, some species can live for more than 50 years!
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/UnidedSponge.jpg
Some anemones, like their cousins, the corals, establish a symbiotic relationship with algae. They provide protection for the algae by housing them inside their tissues, and in return, they get oxygen and sugar, the by-products from the algaes photosynthesis. Other anemones form symbiotic relationships with clownfish, that live amongst the anemone’s tentacles. Clownfish have a mucus layer that makes them immune to the anemone's sting, but still wards off other predatory fish. In return for this protection, anemones receive the scraps and leftovers from the clownfish’s meals.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/debbiebuck/anemoneandshrimpdeby.jpg
Anemone and Shrimp
Photo by Debi Buck
Some shrimps are observed to have symbiotic relationships with anemones, also for the purposes of protection from predation.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/images/giantanemonepatty.jpg
Giant anemone, Condylactis gigantea
Photo by Patrica Simone
Giant anemones are common throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida. They live at depths of 20-100 feet, usually on coral reefs, and can grow to more than 12 inches wide! The intensity of their color depends on how much sunlight they receive. Anemones that live in sunnier areas, are brighter green, due to the photosynthesizing symbiotic algae withing their tissues. Specimens under rocks and in crevices are white.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/anemonesNOAA_2.jpg
Close up of Giant Anemone showing tentacles
Although anemones look like pretty and harmless flowers, they are actually predators! They have a soft body, a muscular “foot”, which they use for slow movement, and to attach themselves to a hard surfaces such as rocks. Their mouth is surrounded by many tentacles that are armed with nemanocysts, stinging cells containing a cocktail mix of neurotoxins. These are used to paralyze and capture passing prey such as fish, mussels, copepods and worms.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/anemonefontplay_1.jpg
Typical anemone showing tentacles surrounding "mouth"
There are more than 1,000 species of anemones found in oceans worldwide, from shallow coastal waters down to the deep oceans. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Anemones usually live for a long time, some species can live for more than 50 years!
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/UnidedSponge.jpg
Some anemones, like their cousins, the corals, establish a symbiotic relationship with algae. They provide protection for the algae by housing them inside their tissues, and in return, they get oxygen and sugar, the by-products from the algaes photosynthesis. Other anemones form symbiotic relationships with clownfish, that live amongst the anemone’s tentacles. Clownfish have a mucus layer that makes them immune to the anemone's sting, but still wards off other predatory fish. In return for this protection, anemones receive the scraps and leftovers from the clownfish’s meals.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/debbiebuck/anemoneandshrimpdeby.jpg
Anemone and Shrimp
Photo by Debi Buck
Some shrimps are observed to have symbiotic relationships with anemones, also for the purposes of protection from predation.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/images/giantanemonepatty.jpg
Giant anemone, Condylactis gigantea
Photo by Patrica Simone
Giant anemones are common throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida. They live at depths of 20-100 feet, usually on coral reefs, and can grow to more than 12 inches wide! The intensity of their color depends on how much sunlight they receive. Anemones that live in sunnier areas, are brighter green, due to the photosynthesizing symbiotic algae withing their tissues. Specimens under rocks and in crevices are white.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/anemonesNOAA_2.jpg
Close up of Giant Anemone showing tentacles