It is native to shallow waters around the San Juan Islands off the western coast of North America.

The bases of the tentacles are usually white and there are often dark lines between them which correspond to the internal mesenteries.

The other related species found in the same areas have white radiating lines on the oral disc and striations on the column while Fernald's anemone lacks both of these.

[4] The population in the latter location is found intertidally on the west coast of the islands, in surge channels with floating logs, and in caves.

When the juveniles are released through the mouth, they are likely to be able to disperse more widely than is the case in the closely related Epiactis prolifera and Epiactis lisbethae, which brood their offspring externally, the young eventually crawling away.