TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia (animals)
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Subclass: Ceriantipatharia,
Order: Ceriantharia
Family: Cerianthidae

Genus/species: Pachycerianthus fimbriatus

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Solitary tube to 35 cm (14 inches) long when expanded. The tough, slippery, black, secreted tube projects above the mud substrate. Tentacular crown with two circles of translucent whitish to brown-gold tentacles. The inner
circle usually held over the mouth, the outer circle projecting up or out. Like most anemones, the tube-dwelling anemone contains stinging cells or nematocytes along its tentacles.

Tube Anemone 3236526239_4f6bd4f600_o

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: California (total distribution poorly known). Fairly common in soft mud bottoms of bays and harbors and protected sandy substrates of the outer coast. Low intertidal and subtidal in S. California; subtidal only in N. California to at least 54 m (177 feet).

Tube Anemone 3288842115_73a426d48d_b

DIET IN THE WILD: Small invertebrates, hydromedusae, small crustaceans and plankton

PREDATORS: Barber slugs clip off its tentacles, resulting in P. fimbriatus retreating quickly down the tube—sometimes pulling the slug in with it. The tentacles grow back after an attack.

REMARKS: Unlike sea anemones the anal pore is at the end of the body.

References

eol eol.org/pages/199417/details

 Walla Walla Universitywww.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/…

 Monterey Bay Aquarium www.montereybayaquarium.org/animal-guide/invertebrates/tu…

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1kM

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3236526239/in/set-72157625127345346