What's the difference

[Rob6311]

What's the difference between zoanthids and Palythoa?

 

[DDon]

Might try googling this. I found some pretty good reads when I was researching this before.
Quick and incomplete answer is palys utilize sand in their structure while zoanthids do not.

 

[shesacharmer]

They are related but not the same. They generally co-habitate well. The primary difference you will notice are that Palys grow on taller stems and can shade their lower growing cousins. Palys often have larger mouths too. They enjoy the same spots in the tank but you might want to keep them slightly apart so that the palys don't shade the zoas. They both produce a nasty toxin so be very careful to wear gloves and eye protection if you decide to frag them. Never ever boil a rock that had either on them inside your house as it can be highly poisonous. Google paly toxin.

 

[shesacharmer]

What does that mean "palys utilize sand"?

 

[DDon]

Sorry I guess that wasn't a very good explanation.
So palys (and protopalys) use sediment such as sand shell and crushed coral to reinforce their tissue. If you look at their stalks you can see the specks of sediment.

 

[reepher315]

^ yep the easiest way to tell is Zoas have soft smooth stalk tissue and palys have little specs of sand and debris in em. IME palys are usually larger aswell.