Burrowing Anemone Edwardsia elegans
Burrowing Anemone Edwardsia elegans

Burrowing Anemone (Edwardsia elegans)

from $80.00
Quantity:

Live Burrowing Anemone (Edwardsia elegans)
Please note this is a live marine specimen.

The Burrowing Anemone (Edwardsia elegans) is a fascinating cnidarian found embedded in sandy mudflats and sandbars along the Maine coast. Unlike most sea anemones that attach to rocks, this species anchors itself in soft sediment, extending its tentacles from the surface to capture passing plankton and organic material. Its long, tubular body and subtle brown to yellow-brown coloration allow it to blend seamlessly into its environment. Sustainably hand-dug with a five-tined fork, each specimen is carefully collected from intertidal zones and shipped live for aquariums, classrooms, or marine biology studies focusing on benthic invertebrate ecology and behavior.

Key Facts:
Common name: Burrowing anemone
Scientific name: Edwardsia elegans
Locations: Sandy mudflats and sandbars at low water mark
Seasonality: Available year round
Colors: Brown, yellow-brown
Size: 2” – 4”
Collected: By hand, 5-tined digging fork
Quantity: Sold by the each
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com

Live Burrowing Anemone (Edwardsia elegans)
Please note this is a live marine specimen.

The Burrowing Anemone (Edwardsia elegans) is a fascinating cnidarian found embedded in sandy mudflats and sandbars along the Maine coast. Unlike most sea anemones that attach to rocks, this species anchors itself in soft sediment, extending its tentacles from the surface to capture passing plankton and organic material. Its long, tubular body and subtle brown to yellow-brown coloration allow it to blend seamlessly into its environment. Sustainably hand-dug with a five-tined fork, each specimen is carefully collected from intertidal zones and shipped live for aquariums, classrooms, or marine biology studies focusing on benthic invertebrate ecology and behavior.

Key Facts:
Common name: Burrowing anemone
Scientific name: Edwardsia elegans
Locations: Sandy mudflats and sandbars at low water mark
Seasonality: Available year round
Colors: Brown, yellow-brown
Size: 2” – 4”
Collected: By hand, 5-tined digging fork
Quantity: Sold by the each
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com

A pile of burrowing anemones. All have their frills retracted upon disturbance.

A pile of burrowing anemones. All have their frills retracted upon disturbance.

Tidepool Tim says,  "Burrowing anemones are hard to find, but once located they are abundant in the particular sandy areas they prefer. Digging down about 6" into the sand with a clam fork or shovel will reveal these anemones and their sand tube burrows.  The ends of the animal have a foot like structure that helps anchor them in their burrows, while on the anterior end is their mouth and white tentacles."