The snakelocks anemone is home to some select guests, but packs a potent sting to fend off unwelcome interlopers, as Paul Naylor discovers
UKDIVING CRITTERCONFIDENTIAL
Odd one out. A grey Snakelocks in among a group of green ones on an algae-covered reef
Snakelocks anemone
The snakelocks anemone is home to some select guests, but packs a potent sting to fend off unwelcome interlopers, as Paul Naylor discovers
When I recently commented on what it would be like to be this sea anemone,“ powerful with lots of lodgers” was what came to mind- unusual conversations crop up in social media!
‘ Powerful’ referred to the snakelocks anemone’ s 200 or so long tentacles armed with potent stinging cells. As well as small planktonic creatures, larger animals including sea snails and small fish can be captured if they brush against the tentacles and trigger the stinging cells to fire their microscopic harpoons. Once ensnared, the prey is pulled into the anemone’ s mouth. The snakelock’ s stings are particularly strong for a sea anemone and I can personally vouch for this.
While diving in Cornwall last year, I suffered a very swollen and painful lip
Anemonia viridis
for several hours one afternoon. I initially assumed it was a strange reaction to a spicy lunch, but rethought this after a friend mentioned how they received nasty stings from snakelocks anemones during ultra-shallow snorkelling when it was hard to avoid brushing against them. I reckoned that on my dive, while getting very close to a reef to take photos, the snorkel dangling from my mask strap had
The two common colour forms of snakelocks anemones( bright green with purpletipped tentacles and overall grey tentacles) close together on a shallow reef
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Snakelocks in a shady pool with its tentacles pointing up towards the light