zoanthids & palythoas
- Thread starter BradMugs
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chaderic26
New member
I disagree, from my experience most zoanthids are mostly photosynthetic and absorb some nutrients from the water. So they're growth depends on that stuff. Paly's are less photosynthetic and most that I've seen have at least partially formed stomach cavity of some kind and are exceptional growers if fed. Otherwise they kinda stay where there at.
stricknine
New member
Palys=longer stem
zoas=smaller
zoas=smaller
Aquarist007
New member
I just bought these three frags --its easy to see the difference
Ragman Jones
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Top is palys bottom is zoas. I think.
Whats next the them in the bottom pic? The Anemone looking thing?
Whats next the them in the bottom pic? The Anemone looking thing?
RyanDragon
New member
I think the anemone looking thing is the evergreen starburst polyps...
chaderic26
New member
Looks like plain gsp to me. The top does look like lps maybe lobed brain coral.
Salamander
Active member
That is not palythoa in the top pic capn posted. Those are an LPS. Palys typically have longer, thinner tentacles than zoas and will readily accept food.
The green in the second pic is more commonly called green star polyps, AKA GSP. They're nice but very prolific and will cover everything if not kept isolated.
The green in the second pic is more commonly called green star polyps, AKA GSP. They're nice but very prolific and will cover everything if not kept isolated.
Tswifty
New member
Zoanthids are usually smaller, however the Zoanthid Gignatus can be just as large as Palys.
Palys also are VERY toxic, so be careful working with them.
I also believe there is a difference in the way each feeds. I believe the Zoanthids are primarily photosynthetic, and the Palythoas are known to be aggressive feeders.
Palys and Zoanthids are both known to be very fast growers, although growth rates will vary due to TONS of factors outside of their classification.
Palys also are VERY toxic, so be careful working with them.
I also believe there is a difference in the way each feeds. I believe the Zoanthids are primarily photosynthetic, and the Palythoas are known to be aggressive feeders.
Palys and Zoanthids are both known to be very fast growers, although growth rates will vary due to TONS of factors outside of their classification.
OK, that sounds better.
Palys - thinner tentacales (mine are also longer), will eat food and are normally larger
Zoas - fatter tentacles and smaller bodies.
Tswifty - can you get into more detail about toxic - that always catchs my attention, when and to whom are normally my big questions.
Palys - thinner tentacales (mine are also longer), will eat food and are normally larger
Zoas - fatter tentacles and smaller bodies.
Tswifty - can you get into more detail about toxic - that always catchs my attention, when and to whom are normally my big questions.
Aquarist007
New member
Correction--the top is lobophylia
These are palys:
Tswifty
New member
The Palytoxin or whatever it is called is pretty nasty. I'm no expert on it though, there's probably a Reefkeeping article on it somewhere.
Steven Pro did a talk on venomous fish/dangerous stuff in our tanks a few months ago. The Palytoxin was the stuff I guess natives used dipped the tips of their arrows in to kill stuff. I believe Steven's comment was, "Palythoas, now this is the stuff that can kill you." or something along those lines.
Apparently Anthony Calfo has had more than a few run-ins with the toxin as well when propagating and fragging them. I think he lost taste for a week or something the one time.
Tswifty
New member
Those look like a variation of "People Eaters" which are actually are a variation of Zoanthus gigantus. The neon green mouth gives them away. Also there are probably white striations on the underside of the polyps which would be more visible when the polyps close. It's my understanding that the white striations classify them as Zoanthus gigantus, and the neon green mouth is what makes them a "People Eater."<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14737562#post14737562 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
Correction--the top is lobophylia
These are palys:
There was a brief discussion in one of the forums a while back, and it was understood that all "People Eaters" are Zoanthus gigantus, but all Zoanthus gigantus are not "People Eaters." :lol:
Anyway... the point of the post was that, while they do resemble Palythoas in size, they are actually Zoanthids.
Last edited:
JEFFR259
New member
Ok, here's a pic that resembles what I have in my tank, and I've always been led to believe what I have is Paly's.
+1 to the differences in how Zoas and Paly's get nutrients. My zoas never seem to react to cyclopeeze or anything else I feed my LPS (like Coral Frenzy).
My "palys" close up like venus flytraps.
+1 to the differences in how Zoas and Paly's get nutrients. My zoas never seem to react to cyclopeeze or anything else I feed my LPS (like Coral Frenzy).
My "palys" close up like venus flytraps.
returnofsid
New member
The difference in Zoas and Palys has nothing to do with length or shape of tentacles, length of stem or size of button. The difference is how they build themselves. Palys pick up pieces of sand and incorporate it into their mat and stollen. Zoanthids Don't. That's it....plain and simple.
reefscape15
New member
From what i could tell, Palys can form single stalks, and Zoas create mats to grow from
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