Starlet Sea Anemone Nematostella vectensis
This rare and endangered species is a vulnerable sea anemone. Small in size and very pale/translucent in colour, the starlet sea anemone is quite hard to find.
Conservation status in Norfolk
The Starlet Sea Anemone is a very rare and endangered by environmental change. For this reason it is covered under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan / Norfolk’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
How to help
The marine environment is under pressure and by supporting campaigns for better protection of marine ecosystems we can help the starlet anemone and other marine invertebrates.
Rob Spray
Information on the Starlet Sea Anemone
How to recognise
The starlet sea anemone is a very small, pale translucent anemone which has patterns of white on its stalk. They rarely exceed 15mm high and will be hard to find as they are very rare.
Where to see
The starlet sea anemone, which has been recorded at NWT Cley Marshes, occurs near high water in brackish pools- a mixture of fresh and seawater - on muddy ground or vegetation in salt marshes or river estuaries. It is very rare and vulnerable to the advance of the sea as the coast is eroded and brackish water becomes too salty for it to survive.
When to see
Reportedly most numerous from late summer to autumn.
Did you know?
The salt marshes of North Norfolk are one of the few places they are found.
Related questions
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