Beadlet Anemone
Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina)
Beadlet Anemone catching prey
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The Beadlet anemone measures approximately 50mm in diameter and has the normal features of a sea anemone including tentacles and a small opening in the top. Its primary source of food is plankton and small fish. It ingests its prey through one small opening surrounded by tentacles. These tentacles are poisonous and are used to move prey into the mouth. The prey then proceeds to the inner stomach cavity while still whole. It is in the stomach cavity that the food is broken down into various nutrients that the anemone can utilize. Due to the fact that there is only one opening, all waste that is not consumed by the anemone is ejected back out through the mouth opening.
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