Ball Tipped Sea Anemone

Entacmaea quadricolor

These translucent, crystal-like orbs are the tentacle tips of a large Sea Anemone. Among these tips live a number of anemone fish, sheltered and protected against predator fish by the animal’s stinging defenses. This bouquet of tentacles resembles the type of hand-blown glass ornaments that were used at one time as floats for fishermen’s nets. The striking purple tips shown in the photograph contrast with the greens and whites of the tentacles themselves, creating an unearthly vision of beauty deep under the sea.