Description: This sea anemone has a smooth column divided into a scapus and a narrow capitulum, with a well-marked parapet and fosse. Blue (rarely white or pink) rounded warts are present in the fosse. The tentacles are moderate in length, never banded. The colour is variable: most shades of red, brown, orange or green, usually plain all over but sometimes with blue or yellowish spots or streaks on the column, mostly with a blue line around the edge of the base. Size up to 50 mm across the base. Reproduces by viviparity, producing fully formed young anemones.

Habitat: Found on any firm substrate, rocks, stones, breakwaters, etc. From high on the shore to the shallow sublittoral, about 20 m depth, but typically a shore species.

Distribution: Very common on all coasts of Britain. Throughout western Europe, south to the Mediterranean and probably to the coast of west Africa.

Similar Species: Genetic investigation suggests that some of the different colour morphs of Actinia equina may be distinct species.

Key Identification Features:

• Blue warts in fosse are diagnostic of this species and Actinia fragacea.
• Unbanded tentacles.

Distribution Map from NBN: Actinia equina at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Actinia equina at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Actinia equina at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Actinia equina (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 100803.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Cnidaria; Anthozoa; Hexacorallia; Actiniaria; Enthemonae; Actinioidea; Actiniidae; Actinia