Sea Anemones

Sea anemones are pretty sea animals that look a lot like flowers. They come in many bright colors like red, orange, and purple. But they are not plants at all. They are animals with soft bodies and lots of wavy arms called tentacles.

How They Catch Food

Sea anemones stay in one spot and wait for food to come to them. Their tentacles have tiny stingers that can shock small fish and shrimp. When a fish gets too close, the anemone grabs it and pulls it into its mouth. The sting does not hurt most people. Anemones eat whatever floats or swims into their arms.

Friends with Clownfish

Clownfish and sea anemones are good friends in the ocean. The clownfish lives inside the anemone's stinging arms. The stings do not hurt the clownfish because it has a slimy coat for protection. The anemone keeps the fish safe from bigger fish. In return, the clownfish scares away animals that might eat the anemone.

Fun Facts

• Some sea anemones can live for more than 100 years.
• There are over 1,000 different kinds of sea anemones.
• Anemones can slowly move by sliding on their sticky bottoms.

Did You Know?

A sea anemone's mouth is the same opening it uses to get rid of waste.