One for the rocky foreshore biologists

[Osik]

Was rambling about the south end of Ocean beach on Maria Island over the weekend when I came across this wonderful display of colour:

Anyone have any idea about what it is and where it fits into the scheme of things?

[north-north-west]

Aaaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhh! It looks like a type of anemone. At a guess, related to the so-called swimming anemones (which really just spend a lot of time drifting with the currents). If I can dig out the appropriate books I might be able to come up with a better Id.

[phan_TOM]

Yeah it's a sessile anemone of some kind, maybe an urticina or cribrinopsis? It could be an actinia, they are the common ones that look like small plums when they are out of the water but I don't think they have those spots

[Osik]

Thanks for the detective work NNW and phan_Tom! I did think sea anenome but Ithe absence of tentacles made me unsure (though perhaps the tentacles are just tucked away whilst the tide's out? or is it a development stage thing?).

I think my companion may be slightly bemused that I found this more interesting then the devil we encountered but those markings are just wild.

[Strider]

Looks more like a tunicate than a cnidarian to me.

[alex75]

PHLYCTENANTHUS AUSTRALIS-commonly called a bubble anemone!

[Osik]

Thanks Alex, none of the photo's I can see match it entirely, but I'm guessing there is a fair bit of colouration difference between individuals.
R