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Photos of Aquarium Animals by Miguel Montalvo

Fish-eating anemone

Urticina piscivora

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans

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Fun Facts

The anemones can live for 60-80 years!

Species Type:

Invertebrates

Common Name(s):

Fish-eating anemone

Size:

Fish-eating anemones can grow up to eight inches (20 centimeters) tall.

Diet:

These anemones eat small fishes, shrimps and other small invertebrates.

Range & Habitat:

These anemones often reside on rocks from shallow water to 160 feet (48.8 meters) deep in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Details:

These anemones have an orange-red base and white tentacles with pink tips. Each tip has stinging cells called “nematocysts” that paralyze fish. These anemones can hide from predators by pulling their tentacles into their body. They move in response to touch or chemical cues, coordinating their movements with their nervous system— but they have no central brain!