A marine creature, related to the
jellyfish,
corals, and other
polyp animals. Correct classification would be class
Anthozoa, family
Actinidae. These creatures look somewhat like
flowers, (specifically the
anemone flower from whence comes its name), with a leather-looking
base and
tentacles branching out from around the single
channel that acts as both
mouth and
excratory system. Predators by
nature, they sting passing
fish with their tentacles and drag them to their
mouths where they are
ingested.
Many varieties exist, the most common in captivity being the "bulb" anemonae, which has swolen, inflated tentacles that look like small round balloons, most frequently green or pink; the long-tentacled anemonae, which has exceptionally long and often colorful tentacles of pinks and purples; the "carpet" anemonae, which has very very short tentacles that form a large mass that looks like a spreading, slightly fuzzy, usually green carpet (visually similar to a leather coral); sebae anemones, which are usually white with pink or purple tips on their midlength tentacles; and the condylactus anemone, which looks like a long-tentacled anemones except they are darker in color, often have bright orange bases, and slightly shorter tentacles.
Most anemones form symbiotic relationships with clownfish. (Only the condylactus rarely does; it is native to oceans in which clownfish never populated). The clownfish have a slime layer which renders them immune to the anemone's sting, and will happily play and hide within these otherwise deadly tentacles. The anemone provides the clownfish, therefor, with shelter and protection from predators who will be stung. The clown, in return, will feed the anemone, grabbing small pieces of food and placing them gently by the anemone's mouth. Clowns and anemones often form a fairly strong pair-bond and the clown will attack any other clown (save its mate) that tries to live in their private anemone.
Care and feeding of a captive anemone in a saltwater aquarium: anemones need blue light to live, much like their relatives the corals. They are not nearly as light-sensitive and will live in much poorer light, but they need that blue wavelength.
*If* you have a clown for each anemone, and they've all paired off, you need only feed the clowns. But if they haven't paired, if you have an antisocial clown (species like gold maroon and tomato will attack any other clown in the tank), condylactus anemones, or just more anemones than clowns, you need to feed. Once or twice a week place between half and a whole cube of frozen brine shrimp near the mouth of the creature. For larger animals, put part or all of a silverside instead.