Found these on the beach in Washington, need an ID!

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

I was traveling to Washington a few months ago, and there were hundreds if not thousands of these all over the beach, anchored to rocks, in sand etc. I assume they are some sort of anemone but not sure! maybe RFA's? It is worth noting that the water was fairly cold, so they aren't tropical. ( note: I did not take any or alter the ecosystem in any way, just want to know what they were )

 

[scchase]

Anthopleura elegantissima

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Anthopleura elegantissima

That looks like it, thanks for the help!

 

[EricR]

Wow -- you already got a scientific name response -- impressive.

I was going to say look just like what I've always seen in tidepools in southern California.

If you're into online reading, I was going to suggest checking this out:

West Coast Tide Pool Creatures

Happy researching!

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Wow -- you already got a scientific name response -- impressive.

I was going to say look just like what I've always seen in tidepools in southern California.

If you're into online reading, I was going to suggest checking this out:

West Coast Tide Pool Creatures

Happy researching!

Will check that article out, tidepools are fascinating!

 

[redfishbluefish]

I wondered the same thing on the number of visits I've made to the West Coast. I was told that the most common anemone found in the tidal areas were Aggregating anemones.....that's my guess.

 

[WheatToast]

I remember captive bred Anthopleura elegantissima was once sold on this online store, having been acclimated to tropical temperatures:
https://coralscoral.com/

While most specimens would probably do best in cold/temperate water, they do not seem too hard to keep, given they are photosynthetic, thrive in tide pools, and can last for extended periods out of water (though that is just my guess).

I wondered the same thing on the number of visits I've made to the West Coast. I was told that the most common anemone found in the tidal areas were Aggregating anemones.....that's my guess.

I couldn't agree more! On my state's coast (California) I have never gone tide pooling without seeing these anemones. It also seems that they can appear in such dense concentrations (colonies) due to their prolific cloning abilities.

 

[scchase]

The solid green ones are Anthopleura xanthogrammica

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

I wondered the same thing on the number of visits I've made to the West Coast. I was told that the most common anemone found in the tidal areas were Aggregating anemones.....that's my guess.

I remember captive bred Anthopleura elegantissima was once sold on this online store, having been acclimated to tropical temperatures:
https://coralscoral.com/

While most specimens would probably do best in cold/temperate water, they do not seem too hard to keep, given they are photosynthetic, thrive in tide pools, and can last for extended periods out of water (though that is just my guess).


I couldn't agree more! On my state's coast (California) I have never gone tide pooling without seeing these anemones. It also seems that they can appear in such dense concentrations (colonies) due to their prolific cloning abilities.

It would be awsome to keep something like this in a home aquarium!

 

[WheatToast]

The solid green ones are Anthopleura xanthogrammica

Are you talking about the image I posted? I think the bright green is just the lighting, plus, Anthopleura xanthogrammica does not feature the striations of Anthopleura elegantissima.

It would be awsome to keep something like this in a home aquarium!

If you have a coldwater marine system, you can obtain many west coast anemones from Matsu Collections, though you will need a scientific collecting permit.

 

[scchase]

Are you talking about the image I posted? I think the bright green is just the lighting, plus, Anthopleura xanthogrammica does not feature the striations of Anthopleura elegantissima.

If you have a coldwater marine system, you can obtain many west coast anemones from Matsu Collections, though you will need a scientific collecting permit.

Could be for sure I didnt look at it too closely

 

[NoahLikesFish]

anthopleura xanthogrammica is big and its like a mint green

 

[Tamberav]

I have had these guys for about 7 years now. I keep them at 56 degrees. They like to eat !

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

I have had these guys for about 7 years now. I keep them at 56 degrees. They like to eat !

Cool! you would have to have a serious chiller for that!