#anthothoe

A striped anemone (Anthothoe chilensis) in Elqui, Chile

A small anemone, rarely larger than 3cm, found in southeastern Australia, and New Zealand, from intertidal pools down to about 25m depth. Usually found on rock, and sometimes on sponges, algae, gastropod shells and sea squirts.

The anemones can protect themselves using stinging cells cast off in threads from openings down the side of the column and mouth.

They can reproduce sexually, producing planktonic larvae, but can also clone themselves by splitting in two. Frequently found in dense colonies on jetty pylons.

White-striped anemone

Anthothoe albocincta (Actiniaria - Sagartiidae), better known as White-striped anemone, is a colorful sea anemone displaying considerable spatial variation in the color patterns of the constituent polyps, and the most visually striking feature of local populations are sets of dense aggregations each comprised of polyps with a single color pattern. 

The White-striped anemone is common along the shores of southeastern Australia, and also in New Zealand, forming large population, some with 1000s of polyps.

Numerous different color morphs exist within most populations, although most polyps are found within dense aggregations of identically colored individuals, which are themselves in close proximity to other aggregation.

Reference: [1]

Photo credit: ©Matt Tworkowski