Resembling miniature anemones, some form blankets of polyps, and are often referred to 'sea mats' or 'false corals' while some live singly. They are quite hardy and easy to care for, along with many species being very colorful. Like some other octocorals, these button polyps are often connected by a creeping tissue called coenenchyme, which form runners called stolons. As they spread, they encrust hard surfaces and some form massive colonies. Generally found mid to higher reef levels, and generally need excellent water movement and strong light.
Common names include Sea Mat Coral and Button Polyp Coral. Sometimes simply called Zoanthus Rock. These colonial anemones are generally found on reef slopes and in lagoons where they form encrusting mats of densely packed polyps. Require turbulent water movement and excellent lighting, and should not come in contact with stony corals.
As with most Palythoa, it may be wise to divide their colonies outside the aquarium as they produce a toxin called 'palytoxin.' It may also be wise to wash your hands after touching the colony. They can be occasionally fed with fortified live adult brine shrimp, baby brine shrimp or a very small amount of freeze dried plankton first soaked in some aquarium water. Polyps are deeply embedded in the coenenchyme and can sometimes retract almost completely into the animal.
Common names also include Sea Mat Coral and Button Polyp Coral. Generally has more tentacles than Palythoa specimens and their polyps live in colonies with or without stolons or a coenenchyme between the polyps. Range includes both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Larger polyped specimens usually come from deeper water.
Common names include Sea Mat Coral, and Button Polyp Rock. Similar in looks to Palythoa and Protopalythoa species, but much more compact with dense colonies/smaller polyps. An encrusting soft coral that buds off a spreading base. Polyps live in colonies with or without stolons or a coenenchyme between the polyps and are open during the day. Hails from both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Needs both good light and water movement. A detritus feeder with most of its energy needs provided by photosynthesis. There is a pest snail, Heliacus areola that feeds upon zoanthid colonies. Click on its name here for a photo and visit Part V of this Library to see more information on this species.
Individual polyps occur singly and live partially embedded in sand. Not yet seen in the trade.
Polyps live in colonies with or without stolons or a coenenchyme between the polyps and are closed during the day. They feed at night on zooplankton, and are generally referred to as Snake Polyps.
Rarely ever seen in the trade and per Julian Sprung, generally have sand grains trapped in their tissue, and should be feed baby brine shrimp and provided moderate to strong lighting.
There are few common names, e.g., Colonial Polyps or Yellow Polyps. These encrusting anemone-like polyps are connected at the base via small canals, forming groups of individuals. They occur in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and can coat the surfaces of rock, branches of dead coral, hydroids, and sponges. They are not photosynthetic, and therefore basically suspension feeders. There is generally only one specimen of major interest, i.e., P. gracilis
Inhabits shallow reef environments in the wild and usually found encrusting rock and other matter in areas receiving moderate light and moderate water movement. Forms encrusting anemone-like yellow polyps that are connected at the base via small canals, forming groups of individuals. Receives the majority of its nutrition by capturing zooplankton.
Generally referred to as Yellow Polyps. They are about one half inch across, and 1 to 2 inches high (3 – 5 cm). This is a beautiful and somewhat hardy animal if fed various meaty foodstuffs, e.g., Cyclop-eeze, enriched brine shrimp (live or defrosted) or mysis. Will even accept some flake foods! It should be placed in moderately lit areas having moderate waterflow. Caution is require if placed near other corals and the specimen is fed, as it can rapidly spread onto nearby corals and harm them. A commonly collected species and almost always available in the trade. Water quality requirements are: Alkalinity 3.5 meq/l (I’ve personally found it to do better at 4.0 meq/l), pH 8.1 – 8.2, Specific Gravity 1.022 - 1.026, and a temperature range of 74 to 83°F (23 – 28°C). Note: There is some thought this species may belong in the Family Zoanthidae, Genus Acrozoanthus. Yet, until there is more information on this aspect, I’ll continue to classify it as mentioned here. There is also a similar Atlantic species, identified as Parazoanthus axinellae.
Back to Animal Library Index...