Common Name: Leathery Sea Anemone
Distribution: Relatively common throughout the northern region of the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Recorded from tropical Indo-Pacific waters south to northern New South Wales, north to southern Japan.
Ecological Notes: Prefers soft sediment where the base attaches firmly to a solid object, such as a rock, buried in the sediment. The oral disc spreads over the sediment surface. Prefers shallower waters to about 20 m depending on water clarity.
Additional Notes: Tentacles are very numerous, are typically long to 100 mm, and often tipped in mauve or blue. Adhesive verrucae, small flattish wart like prominences, are present on the underside of the oral disc (see bottom photo) and distinguish this species from Entacmaea quadricolor, the other giant anemone species common in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Oral disc may measure as much as 500 mm but more commonly 200 mm. Symbiont host to the three species of anemonefish present in the marine park, Amphiprion akindynos, Amphiprion latezonatus and Amphiprion melanopus.
References: Davie, Peter. Wild Guide to Moreton Bay and Adjacent Coasts. Second Edition. Published by Queensland Museum. Vol 2, p.81.