Present in many rock faces, tidepools or crevices. Coastal areas from Alaska to Baja California. Solitary individuals often larger to 25 cm across tentacular crown. Eat small invertebrate animals and fishes. Prey to Nudibranchs, Sea Snails and Sea Stars.
Asexual reproduction accomplished by budding and the result is a clone of the anemone.
Sexual reproduction is by spawning which occurs from February to July. Up to several years. When one member of a clone of A. elegantisimma is injured, it releases a pheromone. Anemones downstream from the injured animal react by flexing the tentacles toward the column, then retracting the tentacles and constricting the marginal sphincter.