The humble sea anemone makes its home in many places around the globe, from tide pools to deep ocean rifts. A sea anemone's tough outer hide is useful when predators are near or the tide is out. The hide is designed to look like a rock and protects the soft interior. Inside is an array of brightly colored tentacles.

There are forty-six different families of anemone, each with different colored tentacles surrounding the simple stomach of the interior. Most varieties live in tropical coral reefs. They can be as small as 1/2 inch and as large as six feet. The bright colors and waving tentacles are unmistakable. The name anemone comes from the similarities to the flower, anemone.
Many species have stingers with nerve toxins to paralyze their prey. Once paralyzed, the prey is drawn into the mouth by their tentacles and consumed. Usually the anemone closes entirely around its food, only opening again to expel whatever cannot be digested.

Only the clownfish and certain damselfish have immunity to the toxins of the anemone. A mucus membrane deflects the harpoon like stinger in each tentacle, leaving them unharmed. Anemones and clownfish have created a symbiotic relationship with each other. The clownfish cleans the anemone and in return, it gets a safe haven from the dangers of the open sea.
Anemones live in coral beds and rocky tide pools that have good water circulation. Their brightly colored tentacles are easy to spot, especially when diving.