Scientific name: Condylactis gigantea

Description: The giant sea anemone or condy is only found in the Atlantic Ocean in the shallow waters of the rocky seafloor habitat. The anemone’s tentacles may have purple, green or rose colored tips. They can grow up to 6 inches in height while growing 12 inches in width. They display symbiosis with many organisms including tiny cleaner shrimp, arrow crabs, wrasses and zooxanthellae (tiny photosynthetic algae). The tentacles have stinging cells which release a neurotoxin producing nerve injury in their prey, effectively paralyzing them for easy consumption. The condy will feed on fish, mussels and shrimp. If another sea anemone gets too close, the condy will fight aggressively “firing” its nematocysts or stinging cells at the other offending organism encroaching onto its space.

Fun Fact: 
- Although most sea anemones are sessile, this species is able to detach from a location and move, albeit slowly, to another more suitable and safe location!

- Scientists have found the condy and other anemone’s stinging cells have medicinal properties such as helping with cardiac problems.

- Scientists also use the condy sea anemone’s diffuse nerve net to study primitive nervous systems for the understanding of human nerve-related illnesses!