Jewel anemone

Jewel anemone
Image: John Turnbull
Community type

Sessile reefs organisms

Habitat type

Rocky reefs, kelp beds and inter-tidal zone

The jewel anemone is a tiny organism, growing to 1 cm wide and 1.5 cm high. They attach themselves to the hard surfaces of rocky reefs with a muscular foot. Their name comes from the small round ball at the tip of their tentacle, often a different colour to the rest of their tentacle, resembling a jewel.

Their tenticles are used to attack passing fish, crabs and other creatures. When caught their tentacles inject a toxic substance to paralyse their prey.

Jewel anemones are able to reproduce by cloning, which often leads to large patches of identically coloured animals.

Much of the text within the species area of our website was written by Veronica Thorpe, as part of the Derwent River Wildlife Guide (2000).

The DEP has developed a variety of classroom and outdoor activities, including classroom materials, online resources, interpretive walks, games and sensory experience. These are focused around the key estuary habitats.