Giant Plumose Anemone (Metridium farcimen)

Description: Giant plumose anemones are typically white, but can also be a pale pink, tan, or light orange. They have a long stalk and fluffy tentacles. The giant plumose anemone can grow to up to 1 m in height, making it the tallest species of polyp.

Habitat: Ranging from Alaska to Mexico, plumose anemones can be found on docks, pilings, and rocks in the lower intertidal zone. They can also be found in the subtidal zone up to 50 m deep, sometimes even to depths of 300 m. At Haystack rock plumose anemones are the least common of our anemones but are often found on the underside of rock overhangs.

Diet: The diet of plumose anemones primarily consists of plankton, small fish, and shrimp.

Reproduction: Similar to aggregating anemones, the plumose anemones can reproduce through sexual or asexual reproduction. The asexual method, however, is different since they are not splitting themselves in half like aggregating anemones. Instead, they do what’s called budding or pedal laceration - moving to a new spot (even just inches away) and leaving behind a small part of their base to grow into a new individual. The sexual method is the same - broadcast spawning - releasing gametes into the water for external fertilization.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Unlike other species of anemone found at Haystack, the plumose anemone has over 200 thin tentacles arranged in lobes that appear fluffy.

• Shaggy mouse nudibranchs prey on giant plumose anemones.

Reference: Ocean Info, Georgia Aquarium