Respiration

Anthozoa exchange gases and release ammonia directly via diffusion across the tentacle, column and oral disk surfaces (Ruppert et al 2004). Cillary action on epidermal and gastrodermal surfaces maintain fluid movement and facilitate the diffusive process (Ruppert el al 2004). However considering their largely sessile lifestyles many anemones rely heavily on ambient water currents. This is sufficient for those living in high energy regions such as the smaller E.quadricolor polyps residing in the reef crest. However larger solitary polyps in this species, live in lower energy areas and often within complex habitat. It has been recently demonstrated that the anemone fish living symbiotically with large E. quadricolor  polyps increase water movement, enhancing the anemones’ net oxygen uptake (Szeczebak et al 2012).