Carkeek by Naomi Faletti

Orange Sea Anemone found in intertidal zone. This is definitely a predator with cylindrical body and tentacles surrounding a central mouth to paralyze prey with neurotoxin. Although, the one we found in the intertidal zone during low tide had a closed mouth to save energy while exposed to the sun. In this case it was still hanging on to a rock covered with sand. Some anemone establish symbiotic relationships with green algae in order to get oxygen and sugar as bi-products by photosynthesis of the algae. I wonder if this one was also benefitting from green seaweed we found everywhere at the beach.

Another symbiotic relationship happens with crow fish under the water. Crow fish live within the tentacle of Anemone and  protected from predators, Anemone snack on the food scraps crow fish bring during feeding. I wonder what happens to crow fish when an Anemone closes its mouth for a long period of time like the one we found at the beach? If a fish is trapped within the month for a long period of time, would they continue to survive with remaining oxygen? Or, would they escape right in time before it happens?