This is a large anemone, that partially buries itself in the sand, The column is sand coloured and remains buried. There are four circles of tentacles and they can be grey, sand coloured, pink to lilac near the tips. The tentacles are covered with tiny grey dots which may be the nematocyst batteries (stings). The tentacles are rather stout but taper to a blunt point. This anemone is usually cream/grey to pink in colour, often the tips of the tentacles are lilac or purple.

This anemone buries its basal disc and column in the sand and only leaving its oral disc and tentacles visible.T his is an undescribed species of anemone found only on sandy bottoms in Paterson’s Inlet, Stewart Island.

It has been observed swallowing scallops over 50mm in diameter.

They are known to give a bit of a sting to staff at the aquarium when disturbed.

NZ Coastal Marine Invertebrates; Vol 1.