Berried Anemone

Overview

The Berried Anemone (Alicia mirabilis) is a distinctive sea anemone known for its dramatic transformation between day and night. During the day, it remains retracted, appearing as a brownish, berry-covered mound, while at night it expands into a tall, translucent column to feed.

Appearance

When fully expanded, this anemone can reach heights of up to 40 cm, excluding its numerous tentacles. The column is covered in characteristic vesicles—often white, yellow, or brown—that resemble berries, giving the species its common name. Both these vesicles and the long, flowing tentacles are equipped with potent stinging cells.

Biology & behavior

Alicia mirabilis is strictly nocturnal, unfurling its tentacles only after dark to capture prey. If disturbed by light or physical contact, it quickly retracts its tentacles, often coiling them into spirals. As a passive carnivore, it uses its stinging cells to immobilize small fish, crustaceans, and zooplankton before drawing them into its central mouth.

Distribution & habitat

This species is found in various marine environments, including rocky reefs, coralligenous formations, and seagrass meadows. While adults typically anchor themselves to hard substrates in current-swept areas, younger individuals may be found attached to seagrass leaves, where their density can be quite high. Its range is broad, spanning the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the eastern Atlantic, and parts of the Caribbean.