FAQs about Zoanthid Identification 3 Related Articles: Zoanthids, Sea Mat: An Ocean Of Color For The Aquarium by Blane Perun, Related FAQs: Zoanthid ID 1, Zoanthid ID 2, Zoanthid ID 4, Zoanthid ID 5, & Zoanthids, Zoanthids 2, Zoanthids 3, Zoanthid Behavior, Zoanthid Compatibility, Zoanthid Selection, Zoanthid System, Zoanthid Lighting, Zoanthid Feeding, Zoanthid Health, Zoanthid Reproduction,

Zoanthid or pest anemone?  12/14/08 I just want to thank you all for your priceless service. I have enjoyed your site for years. I just sent an incomplete email a moment ago, my apologies. I forgot to mention that I browsed all of your Zoanthid ID pages, and all 20-something of your anemone pages, and didn't see anything quite like these. <I see> I have attached a pic of some supposed Zoanthids that I was given by a local shop. They also look a lot like some pest anemones I have seen. They had come loose from a frag and covered the shop's frag tank wall. I scraped off a dozen or so and superglued them to the rock in the pic. <Okay> They spread on a translucent white base a lot like some clove polyps do--- on runners that form a tangled mat. <Ahh! A good clue> They are about 1/2" diameter and the tentacles are only a single row around the disc. Would you say they are an anemone or a Zoanthid type? <The latter> I have never seen a pest anemone spread on runners before, but that isn't saying much coming from me. Oh, and they are being kept in a 10 gallon nano with a bull shark. <Heeee! With the emphasis on bull!> Do you think the bull shark would host a Condylactis anemone? Or should I try one of those pretty pink sebae anemones? ;) <I think we might start a Bob and Matt comedy routine!> Thanks!!! Matt <Do take a read here: www.wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm re the table detailing the differences twixt Zoanthids and Actinarians... and here: http://wetwebmedia.com/anemoniafaqs.htm for some pix of Anemonia... are similar, but note the "number, arrangement of tentacles"... and the mat appearance you mention. Oh, and the usual cautionary remarks re Zoanthid keeping, handling... and watch out for bites from the Carcharhinus leucas... Bob Fenner>

Zoanthus vs. Palythoa vs. Protopalythoa: Palytoxin 07/07/08
Hi WWM crew,
<Hello Brian! Sorry about the slow response, I was asleep at the wheel...>
I'm writing you about palytoxin because I so far cannot find concrete answers about it anywhere and I have children and pets around my tanks.
<Yes...many stories, few facts available to the hobbyist>
This is my first letter to you all after many readings (including reading many of your letters on Zoanthidea and palytoxin). I have a few quick questions and I would appreciate any citations to additional resources you can give, the more scientific the better. I'm trying to get hold of the Book of Coral Propagation by Anthony and Corals and Coral Reefs by Eric Borneman since I hear they have good info on palytoxin but no luck so far (they're expensive!).
<Calfo gives some anecdotal info that is helpful- cautionary - to the hobbyist. If you're interested in scientific texts on palytoxins you might try a local library or (preferably) a college library where you can gain access to scholarly journals. Perhaps a search of scholar.google.com or JSTOR would be fruitful in this area.>
(1) How can you tell the difference between a Zoanthus, a Palythoa, and a Protopalythoa species of Zoanthidea? I would like to concretely identify what is in my tank and learn how to ID future specimens.
<As I understand it, this largely relates to the common foot. As hobbyists Zoanthus are the smaller, more colorful polyps sharing a foot; Parazoanthus being larger, more distinctly carnivorous, and still sharing a common foot, and the Palythoa/Protopalythoa being colonies of unconnected large polyps>
(2) Do all Zoanthidea species have palytoxin in them? I know that even within Palythoa, not all specimens have palytoxin in them, but I'm wondering here whether all 3 species have palytoxin or if, for example, Zoanthus are safe and do not have it.
<All of these families may/do produce palytoxin and other organic poisons>
(3) If not all Zoanthidea have palytoxin, which ones do not have it?
<Can't be told based on appearance, unfortunately. We must suspect all...for safety reasons>
(4) Where is the palytoxin actually "kept" in the Zoanthidea? Is it ever released other than when the specimen is damaged or cut? How is it released (I've read about it squirting out of Zoanthus but never seen anything on how they actually release it)?
<It is held in the fluid of the mesophyl, exuded in mucous, as an allelopathic compound.>
(5) Is palytoxin also harmful to other things in the tank (e.g. other corals, fish, inverts, macroalgae, etc.)?
<Anything with nervous tissue, motor function>
(6) I have two Zoanthidea in my tank now that I was told, when buying them, were Zoanthus. I knew nothing about palytoxins so didn't ask any questions beyond that identification. They have spread off the original frag/rock/disc they came on and some of the polyps are bridging the gap between the frag disc and the live rock. If it turns out these are a species that sometimes contains palytoxin I'll probably not keep them, the risk seems not worth it despite their beauty. How should I go about removing them from the tank to minimize the risk of palytoxin exposure?
<The only way to eliminate exposure would be to take the polyps and the rocks they are on, bag them in garbage sacks, and dispose of them.>
I've taken up a lot of your time already, so I'll stop here. Thank you again for your answers.
<Unless these creatures are handled, palytoxin poisoning is unlikely. If you are concerned about colony size or a child reaching a hand in the tank, removing these is probably prudent. DO take care in handling them (gloves, goggles, etc.) especially if they have been severed or crushed.>
Sincerely,
Brian
<Benjamin>

Corals ~ A Dummies Guide? Slug/Nudi ID, Tube Polyp ID -12/26/2007 Good morning and Merry Christmas All, So, I've finally gotten into some soft corals (tube polyps and polyps) and I believe I may have a stony coral of some sort that may not be doing so well (came in on some liverock). I'll emphasize that I LOVE your website and you may be familiar with my name from previous emails over the years... however, I was curious as to whether you could recommend a book for hobbyists just getting started with corals. I find your site is likely better for people who know what they have and know what they're talking about when it comes to corals. Is there a good book you could recommend? <If you're looking for a very simple guide, you can try this: http://www.asira.org/caresheets As for books on captive coral care, "Aquarium Corals" by Eric Borneman is one. There's also, "The Super Simple Guide to Corals" by James Fatherree you might like.> Thus far, it seems like the fish stores I go to recommend soft corals for a beginner coral hobbyist as they are easier to care for. I'd like to find a resource that can guide me to repairing/nurturing the stony corals that came in on the liverock and so as I can feel comfortable in being responsible in buying stony corals down the road and be able to care for them. <Hmm... it will be more difficult to care for dying corals than for healthy ones. Why not try starting out with healthy, cultured frags first?> Of note, the stony corals have been around since about July. One little colony seems to be dying (turning brownish) because it is shaded within the tank. <Corals often change color to adapt to different lighting conditions. Such a change, alone, is not a sign that the coral is dying, or even unhealthy. Now, if it bleaches out, then you have a problem and need to move the coral and feed it generously until it gains its color back.> The other 3 little colonies seem to be ok but they certainly aren't growing fast and are too small for me to identify them... but from the pictures on your site, they look like stonies. Anyhow, a book/resource recommendation would be grateful! <See above.> Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! <...and to you too :)> P.S. I mentioned to Bob that I'd eventually get a picture of that little slug/Nudibranch that was crawling in amongst my tube polyps the other day... it is attached. It's about an inch long. Do you have a specific ID on those tube polyps... other than me calling them... 'tube polyps'?? <Sorry I can't even begin to ID the slug/Nudibranch for you from that picture (not focused enough). The "tube polyps" you have are not a stony coral (nor do they have calcified tubes). They are Zoanthids, colonial anemones/corals. Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm Best, Sara M.> Re: Corals ~ A Dummies Guide? Slug/Nudi ID, Tube Polyp ID... further on Zoanthid ID  -12/27/07 Clarification... yes, I know the soft coral pic I provided was a Zoanthid, was wondering what kind if it's possible to id. Ya, the pic is pretty fuzzy of the Nudi/slug... can't get any closer to focus properly... Oh well, it won't do any harm in the tank I have it in now. <Unfortunately, I can't properly/scientifically ID it (I doubt anyone could from a photo). However, Zoa-loving hobbyists have given a lot of these Zoanthids common names based on well described/photographed color patterns which are surprisingly specific. Though I don't think any of this assigning of common names has anything to do with species ID, it's still fun. Thus, you might likely find a common name for your Zoanthids here: http://www.zoaid.com/> Thanks for the resource info! <De nada, Sara M.>

Zoanthid and Palythoa... Differences -11/27/2007
Hello Bob and WWM Crew!!
<Hi Jerry, Mich here>
I will make this short and sweet. I have been studying on your site non-stop since I was first broad sided by this obsession!!
<Glad you found us!>
My animals love you, my bank account hates you!! You know how many changes I have had to make from listening to the LFS in the beginning?!! Anyways..
<Heehee! Live and learn my friend.>
When I first started a year ago, I was really into Zoanthids and I bought many of them or so I thought and was told. After reading all the warnings about the toxicity of the Palythoa colonies (even how they were first used for poison on spears!!), I figured I would start to weed out the less dynamic colonies.
<Well both Palythoas and zoanthids can be quite toxic, and I would recommend using gloves to handle either, but they can be safely kept in an aquarium. But really, if you enjoy the palythoa there is no reason to remove it from your system. >
But for the life of me how do you tell the difference? When I read about them, they were described as the larger of the two. Well I have several different colonies at different stages of growth, so there is my confusion.
At first I thought they were the ones with the longer skirts, but after looking at pictures, I don't think that is even it!! Help!!
<Generally palythoa are generally bigger and uglier than Zoanthids.
Some images of palythoa here:
http://www.scientificcoral.com/images/2SoftCorals/SoftCorals1/B-132PalythoaMixed200.jpg
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0704/palythoa.jpg
http://home.nordnet.fr/~edhont/images/Aquario/Palythoa+parazoanthus_Gracilis_jaune.jpg
Zoanthids are generally more colorful and often have contrasting skirts and eyes.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.strictlyfrags.com/images/blueredzoo.JPG&imgrefurl=
http://www.strictlyfrags.com/zoanthid_polyps.htm&h=428&w=640&sz=47&hl=en&start=7&um=
1&tbnid=r0YynnrFoAJGHM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3DZoanthids%26svnum
%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DG >
Also when you are buying frags, they are all very small, how do you tell the difference then?
<In my experience, most frags that are offered or desired are zoanthids. Palythoa are offered and some are attractive, but many are just big and brown. A good source if you are really into zoanthids here:
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php >
I have one last goal of finding an affordable Blue Zoanthid colony.. key word affordable!!
<Find you local reef club and go to a frag swap. This is your best source of inexpensive small frags. I have seen blue zoanthids offered many times at local frag events.>
I would like to remove all the Palys, like I did my Leathers and Colts, so I can take this to the next level.
<Palythoa and zoanthids are both part of the family Zoanthidea, so unless you are doing a species tank it is difficult to get two more closely related corals.>
Anyways, this will probably land on your wall of stupid questions. (come on I know you have one!!)
<Heehee! Who let you in the secret room?>
But man, If I stay up another night trying to compare pictures (back and forth, back and forth). I'm just gonna jump in my tank and make like a fish!!
<Heehee! Sounds like you might be a flounder!>
Thanks
<Welcome! Mich>
Jerry