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Tube-Dwelling Anemone

A Group
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A group of several tube-dwelling anemone swirled in the water moving over a soft sandy bottom.

Tube-Dwelling Anemone external link (Ceriantharia membranaceus)   •  The Monterey Bay Aquarium external link   •  886 Cannery Row external link Monterey external link California   •  (Photo posted Friday 28 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:46:42 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2329
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Bent Tubes
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The tubes are made from secreted mucus and threads of nematocyst-like organelles, known as ptychocysts. The tubes are rigid and once formed retain their shape.

Tube-Dwelling Anemone external link (Ceriantharia membranaceus)   •  The Monterey Bay Aquarium external link   •  886 Cannery Row external link Monterey external link California   •  (Photo posted Friday 28 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:46:48 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2330
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Small And Large
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The exhibit included examples in all sizes. The tallest were only 8 inches (20 cm) with tentacles extended.

Tube-Dwelling Anemone external link (Ceriantharia membranaceus)   •  The Monterey Bay Aquarium external link   •  886 Cannery Row external link Monterey external link California   •  (Photo posted Friday 28 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:46:59 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2331
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When Frightened
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When frightened or threatened (or perhaps only when activated by sound or shadow), the tentacles withdraw into the tube for protection.

Tube-Dwelling Anemone external link (Ceriantharia membranaceus)   •  The Monterey Bay Aquarium external link   •  886 Cannery Row external link Monterey external link California   •  (Photo posted Friday 28 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:47:08 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2332
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Two Size Tentacles
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The large outer tentacles are for defense. The inner small tentacles are used for ingestion.

Tube-Dwelling Anemone external link (Ceriantharia membranaceus)   •  The Monterey Bay Aquarium external link   •  886 Cannery Row external link Monterey external link California   •  (Photo posted Friday 28 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:47:33 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2333
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Anemone With Sea Star
(6 of 6) (9050 views)

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A sea star moved slowly past a tube-dwelling anemone.

Tube-Dwelling Anemone external link (Ceriantharia membranaceus)   •  The Monterey Bay Aquarium external link   •  886 Cannery Row external link Monterey external link California   •  (Photo posted Friday 28 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 16:47:48 Wednesday 20 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_2334
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