Method for Zoanthid Identification

cerreta

Premium Member
I have been working on a format to identify and name zoanthid corals based on color scheme. I thought I would share the info and get some feedback.

Is anyone aware of other ID guides? Do you have any additional input that would improve this current list?

Zoanthid Identification:

To ID zoos I created my own system of classification in order to simplify the ardous process.

I will use brand names when they are known. When not, I will refer to the ID list and create my own trendy names. Regardless of brand name, the classification will still be implemented to ID the color and type of Zoanthid species.

Colors will be described in order from mouth to skirt. In case of double colors as in a ring fashion, they will be listed from inside to outside.
Four criteria:
M: Mouth
C: Center
CR: Center Ring (when available)
S: Skirt

Common names used to ID specific patterns:

“Fade” identifies fading colors in centers only, they will be listed from in-out fade.

“Double” identifies dual colors in skirts only. This means two-tones of the same color, or listed from inside to outside for different colors.

“Amped” identifies long tentacle skirts.

“Stubby” identifies short, and/or fat skirts.

“Alien Eye” identifies zoos that have an intense mouth color that extends into the center with the same color.

“Eagle Eye” identifies zoos that have one mouth color and two different center ring colors.

“Crush” identifies zoos that have the same basic color for the mouth, center, and skirt.

“Rainbow” identifies two or more different colored Zoanthid species within the same colony.

“Starburst” identifies a separate color that radiates from mouth to skirt in a star pattern.

“Striated” will be listed for obvious striations that run from the mouth to skirt.

“Galaxy” identifies poka-dots of contrasting color somewhere in the center.

“Metallica” identifies a metallic appearance of vibrant contrasting color that runs along striations from mouth to skirt.

“Donut” identifies two distinct circles of contrasting color one in mouth and one in center.



That is the list.

I will try to post some examples to help explain this.
 
Amped Double Orange Zoos
Sz: Lg EH
M: Lemon-Lime
C: Striated Powder blue
S: Amped Double Orange
NikonD200TankSpecimens014.jpg




Cortez Blue Zoos
Sz: EH
M: Neon yellow/green
C: Pastel blue
S: Fade Chocolate to blue
NikonD200TankSpecimens121.jpg



Metallica Green People Eater Palythoas
Sz: Nickle
M-neon green
C-Metallica Green
S- Amped Fade green to purple
PostProdibio2weeks026.jpg




Metallica Red Dimer Zoos
Sz: Dime
M: Lime
C: Metallica Red
S: Stubby Double Green / Purple
metallicred_zoos.jpg



True Blue Zoos
Sz: Sm EH
M: Blue
CR: Cranberry
C: Blue
S: Stubby Chocolate
NikonD200TankSpecimens100.jpg
 
So Brian now you have a new project. Use this method to ID all your colonies, and post the pics too. It should only take you about one month...hehehe
 
haha could use a little help scott. I sold some of them. I cant really call them colonies as they only have 35-45 polys. Tho im getting my prop tank settup soon. And i do have some zoas with around 150 polys total.
 
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