Difference between Zoas and Palys

[ccloveraz]

What is the diference between zoanthids and palys? Also do zoas 'trumpet' in kept under very poor light?

Thanks

 

[Azurel]

One of the main differences is the Palythoas take up sediment into the tissue of the polyps. The stalks and pedal disk will usually be speckeled with what looks like sand. Zoanthids describes the whole Family, palythoa describes the genus. The zoanthids do not take sediment into the tissue and do not readily have a feeding response where as Palythoa, Protopalythoa do. All of your PE(people eater)type polyps are in the genus Zoanthus species gigantus. Gigantus also have a inherent characteristic of white stripes or striations that run from the edges of the closed pedal disk down the stolen. Palythoas don't have this......People eater polyps share more characteristics with your normal zoanthids then they so with Palythoas or protopalythoas.

I hope that helps....

 

[stevemc]

And Palythoa will eat readily! Each one can eat a small chunk of brine shrimp or shrimp or fish meat. This helps them grow. Feed them often. Zoanthids really dont seem to eat much if at all.

 

[ccloveraz]

Thanks for the info, that helps alot. One other question, do they trumpet(3/4") if kept under poor lighting. The reason I ask is because I picked up a frag of polyps at petco for $30, the polyps were brown, now they are developing flourescent mouths and the color is beginning to radiate outward. The do have some white spots and stripes near the top when they are closed.