Beadlet Anemone Actinia equine

The beadlet anemone comes in a range of colours (red, brown, green and orange) but is most commonly a uniform deep-red. It is recognisably an anemone when it is under water in a rockpool but like a dark tomato when uncovered. It's an attractive animal typically around 50mm across and 30mm high when open. No other rockpool anemones are this colour.

The best place to find beadlet anemones is on rocky shores in the pools of water left when the tide recedes underneath boulders and on rocks. West Runton is the most significant rocky beach in Norfolk, but they may also occur on beach defences such as groynes and pier legs. Divers and snorkelers can see these in the shallows but they do not occur at depth.

British Marine Life Study Society
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
ARKive

The marine environment is under pressure and by supporting campaigns for better protection of marine ecosystems we can help the beadlet anemone and other marine invertebrates.