It is sometimes called the lesser cylinder anemone and is found in shallow seas around the coasts of north west Europe.

Sand grains, debris and shell fragments usually stick to the outer side of the tube and the anemone extends its tentacles above the sediment to feed.

[3][5] Cerianthus lloydii might be confused with a less common species of anemone, Pachycerianthus multiplicatus, but this is rather larger and has about two hundred long outer tentacles giving it a feathery appearance.

[4] Cerianthus lloydii is found in the north east Atlantic Ocean from low water mark down to about 100 metres (330 ft).

This anemone is locally common round the coasts of Britain except for eastern England between the River Tees and the Wash.[5] It is usually found buried in sand, gravel or mud but sometimes inhabits crevices in the rock.

Alternate expansions and contractions of the muscles in its body wall enable it to dig its way deeper until only the tentacles project.

[6] Although it reacts fast to threats by retreating into its tube, the lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) is one of several species of fish that feed on it and other sea anemones.