Location at the Zoo
Americas
Global Range
Northern Pacific
Plumose anemone
Metridium farcimen (formerly also Metridium giganteum)
The plumose anemone is a large and visually striking sea anemone, known for its tall, slender column and its dense crown of feathery tentacles that resemble a plume or flower when fully extended. It is one of the tallest anemones in the world, reaching heights of 30 to 90 centimetres (1 to 3 feet), though most are smaller. The colour varies from bright white to pale orange, pink, or tan.
Its tentacles are used both for feeding and defence, equipped with specialized stinging cells called nematocysts that immobilize plankton and small organisms drifting past in the water. Despite its delicate appearance, this anemone is robust and can thrive in high-current environments.
Conservation Status: IUCN
Distribution
Common from southern Alaska to central California, especially in British Columbia, Puget Sound, and Monterey Bay. It may also be found at artificial reef sites or deep pilings further offshore.
Habitat
Plumose anemones inhabit rocky subtidal zones, wharf pilings, sunken structures, and kelp forests. They prefer cold, nutrient-rich waters and are commonly found from the low intertidal zone to depths of over 100 metres. Their ability to attach to vertical surfaces allows them to thrive in areas of strong tidal currents.
Diet
Carnivorous. Feeds on zooplankton, larvae, small crustaceans, and suspended organic material. Its tentacles trap food particles drifting past in the current, drawing them to the central mouth. This passive suspension feeding strategy is well-suited to the high-flow environments it inhabits.
Reproduction
Reproduces both sexually and asexually:
- In sexual reproduction, anemones release eggs and sperm into the water column, where fertilization occurs. The resulting planula larvae eventually settle and metamorphose into juvenile anemones.
- Asexual reproduction can occur through pedal laceration, where fragments of the base (foot) break off and develop into new individuals, helping form dense colonies.
Adaptation
- Feathery tentacles increase surface area for plankton capture
- Stinging nematocysts deter predators and help immobilize prey
- Tall, flexible body column allows it to extend toward light and food-rich currents
- Ability to retract into a tight, jelly-like blob when disturbed or exposed
- Strong adhesion to hard surfaces in turbulent water
Threats to Survival
- Localized pollution, such as fuel spills or heavy metals
- Hypoxia (low oxygen) events in enclosed or stratified water bodies
- Invasive species that alter native food webs or habitat structure
- Climate change impacts, including shifts in ocean temperature and acidity
That said, the species remains widespread and is a fixture of healthy Pacific coastal ecosystems.
