Urticina crassicornis
(Christmas or painted anemone)

The beautiful Christmas ( or painted ) anemone is a large, common  invertebrate growing to about 10 inches across the crown.  Typically found attached to pilings or rocks, they are easily identified by their thick column, which displays a mottled red and green color ( hence the Xmas name ).   The tentacles vary, but are generally olive and slender with a red, bulbous end.   This anemone feeds on a wide variety of organisms including gastropods, chitons, crabs, sea urchins, mussels, and fish, and can live as long as 80 years.   

Christmas anemones are typically found in low intertidal waters to a depth of about 100 feet, and covering a range from Alaska to Central California.  They are usually solitary, so can reproduce asexually by dividing into two clones.  They are also capable of sexual reproduction, releasing gametes into the water in April or May.  They have a very short free larval period that only lasts about 9 days, before settling down ( if suitable substrate is found ) and sprouting tentacles.   

This colorful anemone is quite photogenic, producing a balanced olive and red picture that amazes non-divers with its colors.  A huge, healthy example of this anemone can be found on the outer pilings of the Mukilteo T-dock, or there are several at the north end of Sunrise Wall.  Merry Christmas Divers!