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FAQs about Zoanthid Identification 2 Related Articles: Zoanthids,
Sea
Mat: An Ocean Of Color For The Aquarium by
Blane Perun,
Related FAQs: Zoanthid
Identification 1, Zoanthids, Zoanthids
2, Zoanthids 3, Zoanthid
Behavior, Zoanthid Compatibility, Zoanthid
Selection, Zoanthid System, Zoanthid
Feeding, Zoanthid Health, Zoanthid
Reproduction, |
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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>
ID help,
please 2/5/08
Hey Crew,
<Andy>
Presently curing a batch of live rock pending setting up my tank in
March, and came across these on a small piece of rubble; not a great
picture, I know, but any thoughts you might have are much appreciated.
Iıve searched all of the sponge and anemone ID pages, and Iım not having
any luck.
I donıt THINK theyıre Aiptasia, but Iım a relatively new to the hobby
havenıt seen all of the variants of that pest. What do you think, friend
or foe?
Thanks,
Andy
<The larger batch of stalked polyps at top? Please see here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/zoidfaq2.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Re: ID help, please
2/5/08
Thanks, Bob. Yeah, they do resemble the Palythoa, with one row of 6-8
tentacles. I thought I read that the Zoas are toxic,
<Are, to many organisms... including humans>
but my hermit crab seemed to enjoy them as a snack... twice. Looks like
they’re easy to care for, as well. I’ll keep looking to see if I can
classify them more accurately. Thanks!
Andy
<A closer-up pic please. BobF> |
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Re: ID help, please 2/5/08
Bob (or crew),
<Andy>
Hereıs a little better picture, not much, but such are the limitations
of my little digital camera. This is certainly a truer color. A friend
suggested these might be Green Star Polyps.
<Does appear to be a Clavulariid>
Thanks again,
Andy
<BobF> |
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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.> |
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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
Re: Zoanthid and Palythoa...
Differences 11/28/2007
Thanks so much Mich!!
<You are very welcome Jerry!>
Your guys are the best!!
<Thanks for your kind words.>
Well by your detailed response, it seems I only have one colony of Palythoa!!
<Alrightee!>
The rest are Zoanthids!! You made my day..
<I'm very glad!>
Have an awesome rest of the week
<Thank you Jerry, I wish you the same.>
and thanks for your quick response..
<Welcome! Mich>
Jerry
Star Coral
ID? Zoanthid?
Hello again. You guys are SO helpful...I can't stay away.
<Me neither!>
I researched this all over your site, but I can't seem to find an
answer. I really need to know if I have pompom hydroids or this
beautiful sulfur yellow star coral. They both resemble each other enough
to worry and I can't tell from your images...so maybe you could tell me?
<Yes>
At http://www.wetwebmedia.com/alcyoniidsii.htm it shows some little
yellow star/sulfur corals. I believe I have that in my aquarium. Another
aquarist threw it out while cleaning his tank, and told me he'd give me
a puff of it, so I've incorporated it into the aquarium, however at
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hydrozoanfaqs.htm it has something that looks
a bit like them also. I don't want to make a mistake and get a coral
that will sting me such as a fire coral, and I believe it's saying that
the hydrozoans do sting? I'm not sure after reading that.
<They do sting... hydropolyps... some folks, body areas (less callused)
more/less than others>
My coral is attached, and I want to know what it is so I can be sure
before keeping it. It comes in a nice soft mat and hasn't stung me or
anything, and it's kind of like a little carpet of beautiful yellowish
flowers.
<Mmm, sounds more like a Zoanthid...>
Now, remember, this was given to me as one little carpet clump and
because I just set up this new tank, I put it in there, stuck between
some rocks. I can take it out just as well, but it's so pretty...is it
truly that dangerous if it's pompom?
<Is not a Hydroid...>
Here is the image. Please let me know what it is. I am worried. I don't
want to ruin my beautiful aquarium with something that can kill me
potentially or injure me.
Thanks so much, ahead of time.
Naynay
<Like the Hawaiian goose phonetically? I would not be concerned here...
Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm
and the linked files above... for background info.. Send along a more
close-up, highly resolved image if you'd like a better ID. Cheers, Bob
Fenner>
Re: Zoanthid ID...
11/11/07
Hello again!
With all due respect,
<What does this mean exactly anywho?>
I do realize that your crew knows so much more than I do about
aquariums, however these don't look anything like Zoanthids.
<... Please read through WWM re Cnidarian taxonomy, ID...>
They resemble both pictures in the links I sent in the first time. Can
you go check them out in comparison to the image I attached? Here is
another image to help.
I just want to be 100% sure.
Thanks! :)
Here is the image.
<This is the same dismal low res. pic... PLEASE, something better
resolved... macro, close-up... Perhaps a few books, some hours in a
library... Bob Fenner> |
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Button
Polyps? 10/27/07
Hi there and thanks in advance for your assistance.
Could you please confirm that these are some sort of button polyps and
not a pest similar to Aiptasia?
<The photos are really small, but they look like button polyps to me.>
If so then are they safe from a peppermint shrimp feeding frenzy? Much
appreciated.
<I've never heard of peppermint shrimp being a threat to zoanthids.>
Regards K.
<Best,
Sara M.> |
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Zoanthids. RMF |
Polyp identification
9/2/07
Ok, question # 2 today. I just purchased some live rock and they
have these two items on them, one is what I believe to be button polyps
in the attached picture (the large ones on the right)
<"Button polyps" or Palythoa/zoanthids, whatever you want to call them.
They're colonial cnidarians of the Order Zoanthidea.>
what I can't identify through searching the FAQ's is the pink tipped
green anemone looking things on the right.
<It seems that there are a lot of these types of little anemones which
come in as hitchhikers. I've seen them called "majano" or "tulip"
anemones. I don't know much about their specific taxonomy or even if
they're all the same genus/species. Pretty much all I can tell you with
any certainty is that they're common and tend to be harmless. For some
people they become pests (by going forth to be fruitful and multiple).
However, generally it seems they are less often a nuisance than are
Aiptasia. Personally, I think they're cool and I actually tried to get
them to multiply in my tank without any success. So, basically it's a
gamble. They might become a nuisance or they might not.>
My question is what are these two species, and what do I do to keep
them, Ie. feeding, lighting?
<You shouldn't have to feed them specifically. If you generally feed the
tank well, they should get what they need. Both cnidarians like high
light but can usually adapt to less light.>
Thanks Dan_
<De nada,
Sara M.> |
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and bonus Anemonia majano at left! RMF. |
Marine Betta not Feeding
Picture... ID Palythoa – 08/26/07
Including the picture often helps.
<Yep!>
The coral I am curious about is on the left.
<Mmm, hope you mean top.>
I assumed for a long time that they were rock anemones but now I
actually have some glass anemones which look entirely different.
<The corals in your picture include a mushroom on the bottom and on the
top are Palythoa. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm
Similar photos here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zoidfaq2.htm >
Thanks,
<Welcome!>
Zach
<Mich> |
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Strange creature, cannot
identify.. 7/6/07
Hello Crew,
<Crystal>
This site has been a lot of help for this first time salt water
hobbyist.
I would like you're help in the identification of this little creature
that has been growing on my live rock. It closes up when disturbed, some
what like a little ball. It appears to have a small slit in the center,
kind of like a mouth, and tiny tentacles coming from the edges. It has
not moved from this spot, so I believe it to be some kind of tube worm,
but cannot find a picture. Can you please give me some kind of idea? I
like to know about everything in my tank, and it is driving me crazy to
not understand what this is. Attached is somewhat of a clear picture.
<It looks like a member of the Zoanthid family. See here -
http://wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm>
Thank you very much,
Crystal
<Pleasure, please resize your image to around 200kb next time please.
All the best, Olly> |
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Hi There...ID
Palythoa. – 6/17/07
Hi there,
<Hi there tipsy Yoda, Mich here>
I tried looking for pictures, or questions being asked about these
anemones I have on my LR. I didn't find anything that resembled these,
so any help would be appreciated! I attached a picture, I hope they
aren't pests.. :(
<Nope not pests! A desirable soft coral. Hopefully you have lighting for
a reef setup. These are Button Polyps (Palythoa spp.). They do contain a
palytoxin which can be toxic to humans, so best to wear gloves when
handling these. More here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm and
related links in blue.
Thank you in advance!
<Welcome! And of course... may the force be with you.> |
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Re: Hi There...ID Palythoa. – 06/18/07
I'm not tipsy. Yet. :)
<Heeheee!>
Thank you very much for such a quick response!
<Welcome!>
I have a 50/50 light, 7100k and 6000k actinic, is that enough to keep those
little guys alive?
<Likely so.>
And also how badly can the toxin affect me, or tankmates?
<Well I wouldn't eat'em! These are commonly kept in many reef tanks without
incident. Sort of like Nicotine, a concentrated drop could kill you, but many
people expose themselves repeatedly without obvious consequence.>
Thank you once again!
<Welcome! Mich> |
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Coral ID Palythoa 3/28/07
Hey, can you help me ID this?
<Hey yah! I can help you ID this>
It has really started crowing
<Hee! And what does it crow about?>
and I am looking to frag it.
<Because it's growing? Hehehe!>
Thought I might find out more about it before doing so.
<Even better to find out more about it before assuming care
responsibilities.>
I also would like to be able to tell people I trade it too more
about it then it likes light like I was told.
<A good philosophy! Is of the order Zoanthidea and of the genus
Palythoa. Does contain a neurotoxin called palytoxin. Please wear
gloves when fragging this coral. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1/blane-zoanthids/zoanthids.htm >
Thanks,
<Welcome! -Mich>
Brad
PS I made sure the picture was reasonable this time. <<unknown
favorite(2).jpg>>
<Yes, thank you for this!> |
Coral ID Palythoa Re: Identification - more
pics 3/28/07
<Hi Brad, Mich her again.>
Here are a few more pics of the coral I asked for help to ID.
<Yes thank you.>
I think these are better and show a clearer example of what I am trying
to find out.
<Does indeed.>
I want to make sure I am properly taking care of this animal and that I
can advise others as I give some frags away to my coworker and neighbor.
<Excellent!>
Thank you in advance for your always awesome assistance. Not sure what
I would do if I couldn't read up on your website!
<Thank you for your most kind words! -Mich>
Brad
PS I made sure these pictures would not crash your server.
Again, thank you for this.> |
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Re: Coral ID – 3/28/07
I looked up the toxin on Wikipedia and it sounds pretty scary. Is what I am
reading correct or slightly exaggerated on the dying from exposure to it?
<You are reading about the extracted chemical is it's pure form. Similar things
are said for Nicotine. I know of only one person, a wholesaler, who self
reported a slight reaction after many hours of fragging. I am aware of another
who foolishly licked them without incident.>
Maybe I should only send to advanced aquarist whom know what Palytoxin is
then?
<No, is commonly traded in the hobby without issue. You should inform whomever
you trade with as it is important to be aware.>
I wonder if the guy who fragged it for me knew and didn't tell me?
<Possible, it is relatively common knowledge.>
Palytoxin is an incredibly complex marine natural product containing 71
stereochemical elements. Palytoxin, isolated from soft coral, is considered to
be one of the most toxic non-peptide substances known, second only to
Maitotoxin. Professor Yoshito Kishi's group at Harvard University first
synthesized palytoxin in 1994. This feat is still considered today by many to be
the greatest synthetic accomplishment ever.[1] Palytoxin targets the
sodium-potassium pump protein by binding to the molecule such that the molecule
is locked in a position where it allows passive transport of both the sodium and
potassium ions, thereby
destroying the ion gradient that is essential for most cells.
Typical symptoms of palytoxin poisoning are angina-like chest pains, asthma-like
breathing difficulties, tachycardia, unstable blood pressure, hemolysis
(destruction of red blood cells), and an electrocardiogram showing an
exaggerated T wave. The onset of symptoms is rapid, and death usually follows
just minutes after.
Animal studies have shown that vasodilators, such as papverine and
isosorbide nitrate, can be used as antidotes. The animal experiments only showed
benefit if the antidotes were injected into the heart immediately following
exposure.[1] Treatment in humans is symptomatic and supportive.
<Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (Solanaceae),
predominantly in tobacco, and in lower quantities in tomato, potato, eggplant
(aubergine), and green pepper. Nicotine alkaloids are also found in the leaves
of the coca plant. Nicotine constitutes 0.3 to 5% of the tobacco plant by dry
weight, with biosynthesis taking place in the roots, and accumulating in the
leaves. It is a potent neurotoxin. Also from Wikipedia.com>
Brad
<Mich>
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Oops, try again... Help ID this frag, please? Zoanthid.
3/5/07
Hi -
<Hello there, Mich here.>
I got this little guy at my LFS for $10. They said it was a rare yellow
zoanthid.
<Hmm, does look like a zoanthid.>
There were many other polyps growing out of a large piece of LR, but not
clustered like other zoos, more separate, each to his own. This guy was
on a separate little piece, so they sold it to me. The bigger piece had
maybe 15-20 polyps and was going for $80.
<ChaChing!>
I've never seen anything like it in zoos, looks more like a sun coral,
but they said it isn't.
<Not a sun coral.>
Any ideas?
<Hmm, is a bit odd. Looks like someone took some scissors to a yellow
polyp (Parazoanthus sp.).>
Any links to more pics?
<Mmm, Google image search "yellow zoanthid">
Will it spread on its own?
<It should given the right conditions.>
Does it need strong light?
<I would start it low and move it up. Is possible that it has lost some
zooxanthellae which may explain it's unusual coloring.>
Thanks - I appreciate any help!
<Welcome! -Mich> |
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Worrisome Looking Things & a Bonus! ID
Zoanthids hitchhikers 2/4/07
Hi WWM Crew,
<Aloha David, Mich with you today.>
Long time lurker, first time poster!
<Welcome lurker prime poster!>
With your invaluable help and resource, I have setup a one month old
saltwater aquarium with the intents of going the FOWLR route.
<Live rock is your friend.>
In the 50-gallon breeder tank, all I've got are a few snails to eat
diatoms, two peppermint shrimp to eat some Aiptasia, and about 40-pounds
of Fijian Live Rock.
<Best to start slowly.>
I am worried about one group of hitchhikers and excited about
another. I was hoping you might be able to help me properly identify
these creatures so that I might take care of them properly.
<Will try.>
The first is a small tree-like colony of anemone or featherworm
look-alikes of under a centimeter in height. They're tiny yet, in two
or three groups, and growing on top of a rock that's closest to the
light.
<A polyp of some sort. Possible Yellow Polyps (Parazoanthus sp.), but
more likely Button Polyps (Palythoa sp) or (Protopalythoa sp.).
Read more here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1/blane-zoanthids/zoanthids.htm >
I don't think their photosynthetic, but I'm not sure. (They're submerged
about four inches from the water's surface, under 96W of compact
fluorescents - 10000K white and an actinic blue).
<They are photosynthetic.>
I fear they may be some kind of hydroid that would require extraction.
<Not hydroids. A desirable coral.>
I also can't seem to get a real sharp picture - when I drained the water
to capture a dry image, they retracted.
<Yep.>
The second is some kind of surviving and multiplying coral polyp
community, I think.
<Yes, Zoanthids, see readings above.>
I had not intended to keep corals at this beginner stage; but since they
might be here already, I would like to encourage
their stay. If you could steer me in the right direction, I'll get
studying on proper husbandry and modify the system as needed to support
them. They are located about nine inches from the surface of the water.
<With such little light as you have on your system, these should be
moved to be as close the light as possible.>
Briefly: I'm getting diatoms under control; tank cycled fishless last
week; and I'm using a twenty gallon sump setup. One-third of the sump
is setup as a five inch DSB with half pound Ogo for a vegetable
filter.
<Very nice.>
Water chemistry is so-so with a nitrate concentration of 30 ppm. I'm
slowly bringing that number down with small water changes.
<Good.>
Mahalo,
David
<Ahui hou! -Mich> |
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Polyp ID? 1/31/07
<Greetings, Mich with you today.>
Hi was wondering if you can tell me the name of the tall polyps on the
left of the picture (cylindrical with wart like surface), as well as
their aquatic needs.
<Yes, these are Tube or Snake Polyps (Isaurus sp.). They are not
commonly seen in the industry, so lucky you! Care is the same as other
members of the family Zoanthidae. They are relatively hardy and
tolerant as are other zoanthids, which, I presume you are familiar with
as I see them in your photo.
Thanks!
<You're welcome! -Mich> |
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ID of...? Losing Cnid., maybe another Zo
- 09/14/06
Hey crew thanks in advance...
Can you guys tell me what in the world is on this coral?
<Looks to me like another zoanthid... or the remnants of same>
1) I thought this was some kind of egg sack or sponge, but when I
got home today it seemed to have moved a few inches and really
ticked off some polyps.
2)I am assuming this is a juvenile snail, but it has only moved
about two inches in two weeks (it still moves slightly/rotates most
days)
<Mmm, can't see this... a better resolved, closer-up pic?>
3) There is this fuzzy purple stuff that is about the same color as
some of the coralline algae. It seems to be spreading.
<Yes>
I'd appreciate any help you all can give me. Hope the jpeg is the
right size and clear enough.
-Mike
<I do think this is part of the same or a competing Zoanthid
colony... the one losing. Either this or perhaps a Mussid... also
losing. Bob Fenner> |
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Re: ID of...? Losing Cnid., maybe another Zo 9/15/06
Thanks Bob.
I don't think I understand the response. What is competing with
what?
<Exactly... oh, but in this case, the predominant Zoanthids...>
The spongy material is part of the zoanthid or is competing with it?
<Mmm, yes>
Or maybe a better question is, should I remove it?
<I would not... unless this bit of battle is causing other troubles,
I would just wait, let it play out>
And does 'yes' mean that the fuzzy purple stuff is coralline algae?
<Might be... this would be my first guess... next some sort of
sponge>
I've never seen it take this shape, I thought it always looked like
a thin, smooth, flat crust on the rock.
<Nope>
Thanks again for your help and patience with my questions.
Mike
<Sorry for the lack of clarity. Bob Fenner>
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Coral ID (Palythoa Me Thinks) - 04/20/06
Hey guys, <<and gals>>
I was just wondering if you can ID this coral for me. It's a little
cluster of four.
<<It looks to be a button polyp of the genus Palythoa. Do a Google
search re and see what you think>>
Thanks again for the help.
<<A pleasure...Regards, EricR>> |
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