Color Challenge Tuesday - Orange

One of the most common sights underwater in the Pacific Northwest are the stark white Plumose Anemones, Metridium giganteum but there is a unique colour variation in this species and they are bright orange. The both of these animals are easily recognized by their much-branched tentacles, enough of them to create a feathery (plumose) effect. Growing as large as 60 cm tall, and has well over 100 tentacles.

These large anemones inhabit all types of reefs, and rocks. Growing and feeding anywhere they can stick.

A wall covered in hundreds of White Plumose Anemones

Plumose anemones bear two types of tentacles, the common ones used for feeding and much less common ones used for defense. The latter can be extended to 3-4x their resting length while “searching” the water around them. If they encounter another species of anemone or a different genetic clone of the same species, the tip breaks off and adheres to the other individual, killing cells at that spot and possibly the entire animal.

All anemones are predators and Plumose Anemones are no exception. They take just about anything that floats by, including small fish, but most of their prey is not much larger than microscopic.

Finding orange a sea of white can be an amazing feet. Count yourself lucky if you run into and get to photograph one of these unique large animals with their bright orange colour.

Thanks for reading and have a great day.

Scott

For more images and stories - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/