Renilla reniformis "Sea Pansy"

     The detailed image below graphically illustrate the many small, anemone-like feeding polyps. A cluster of tentacleless polyps form an outlet valve that releases water to deflate the colony. If the colony is on a sand bar at low tide, it usually deflates and becomes covered with a thin film of silty sand. Small white dots between the feeding polyps are polyps that act as pumps to expand the deflated colony. The feeding polyps secrete a sticky mucus to trap tiny organisms suspended in the water.

Renilla reniformis "Sea Pansy"

Big Talbot Island State Park, Duval County, Florida 3/30/2006