# Moonglow Anemone (*anthopleura artemisia*) The Moonglow Anemone is a beautiful sea creature that glows softly in the dark! It has colorful tentacles that sway gently in the water, making it look like a magical underwater plant. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Moonglow Anemones live in the shallow waters of the Pacific Ocean, often found on rocky shores and coral reefs. - **Also known as:** Glow Anemone, Moonlit Anemone ![Moonglow Anemone](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Moonglow_Anemone_%28Anthopleura_artemisia%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jerry Kirkhart, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moonglow_Anemone_%28Anthopleura_artemisia%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Moonglow Anemone has a smooth, pale to whitish column often buried, with a ring of delicate, translucent tentacles surrounding a central oral disc. Its disc and tentacles can range from iridescent white to cream, sometimes with hints of green or pink, making it appear to glow softly. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Cnidaria - **Class:** Anthozoa - **Order:** Actiniaria - **Family:** Actiniidae - **Genus:** Anthopleura ## Interesting facts - It often lives attached to a buried shell or rock, hiding its base! - Its 'moonglow' name comes from its soft, pearly, iridescent appearance! - Some tiny crabs cleverly use its stinging tentacles as a defense shield! - The anemone's 'mouth' also serves as its 'anus' for waste removal! ## Special abilities - **Stinging Snare:** Moonglow Anemone has specialized stinging cells called nematocysts on its tentacles that paralyze small prey. - **Sun-Powered Helper:** Moonglow Anemone hosts tiny algae in its tissues that create extra food using sunlight, helping it survive. - **Rapid Retreat:** Moonglow Anemone can quickly retract its entire body and tentacles into the sand or gravel for protection. ## Measurements & details - **Lifespan:** 15 years - **Tentacle Count:** 150 - **Avg Size:** 5 cm ## Diet & Feeding This anemone is a carnivore, using its tentacles to catch tiny creatures in the ocean. - **Primary Foods:** small fish, shrimp, crabs, zooplankton, detritus - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** Zooxanthellae (*Symbiodinium microadriaticum*) — Provides energy through photosynthesis. - **Eats:** Spanish Shawl Nudibranch (*Flabellina iodinea*) — Feeds on anemone tissues. - **Eaten by:** [Ochre Sea Star](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ochre-sea-star) (*Pisaster ochraceus*) — Preys on anemones in tide pools. - **Shelter:** Blue-banded Hermit Crab (*Pagurus samuelis*) — Finds protection among its tentacles. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be careful not to touch their tentacles, as they can sting! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Moonglow Anemone? Look for fins, arms, tentacles, shells and body symmetry. Underwater light shifts colors, so structure and markings usually matter more than shade. Sea Creature Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long does Moonglow Anemone live? 15 years ### What does Moonglow Anemone eat? This anemone is a carnivore, using its tentacles to catch tiny creatures in the ocean. ### Where is Moonglow Anemone usually found? Moonglow Anemones live in the shallow waters of the Pacific Ocean, often found on rocky shores and coral reefs. ### How does Moonglow Anemone hunt? Ambush ### How many tentacles does Moonglow Anemone have? 150 ### What is the avg Size of Moonglow Anemone? 5 cm ## Where to spot - [Guard Island Light](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/guard-island-light) — US · Historic District - [Schmitz Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/schmitz-park) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Sandwell Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sandwell-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Alki Beach Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alki-beach-park) — Washington, US · Park [View all places to see Moonglow Anemone](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/moonglow-anemone) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Moonglow Anemone: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/moonglow-anemone)