Cnidarians are radially symmetrical, diploblastic animals that include jellyfish, corals, sea anemones, and hydroids. They range in size from microscopic to massive and have a simple body plan with an outer epidermis, inner gastrodermis, and a jelly-like mesoglea. There are two main body forms of cnidaria, the typically sessile polyp and the more mobile medusa which move by pulsing their bell shaped bodies creating a jet of water. Cnidaria have only one opening and possess an internal gastrovascular cavity for digestion and circulation. Cnidarians are carnivorous, capturing all sorts of prey with specialized stinging cells called cnidocytes. They reproduce both sexually and asexually, often alternating between polyp and medusa stages. Ecologically, they play crucial roles as predators, prey, and hosts for symbiotic algae, contributing to marine biodiversity. Some Cnidaria like corals and some hydroids form large colonies of thousands of individuals. Coral reefs provide habitat for a huge variety of marine life.

I went to Little Ross Bay off Dallas road around 3 pm, it was an overcast day with no wind and calm waters. It didn't take long to locate my first Cnidarian as there were plenty of anemones in the small tidal pools at Little Ross. I was able to quickly identify one of British Columbia's most common intertidal cnidarians, the Aggregating Anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima). This species can reproduce asexually and lives in large colonies of clones.

The channel turned out to be an excellent place to search as I quickly spotted a few anemones. Unfortunately the steep rocks and deep water made taking photographs difficult, however it was nevertheless exciting to observe different species. I had no doubt this large red anemone was not an aggregating anemone because it was significantly larger with a much taller base and distinct red colour, lacking any purple on the tentacles. I estimated the size to be around 20-30 cm and after comparing pictures online I am confident in identifying this species as the Painted Anemone (Urticina grebelnyi). I observed multiple anemones, some red and some yellow but my research assured me these were all possible colours schemes of Urticina grebelnyi.