Calling Zo-experts

[sumphead]

It always amazes me to find new thing growing here and there. These, which I believe to be a Zoanthid of some kind popped up out of no where. This is as about as open as I have seen them. There are about 5 polyps and stay mostly closed but seem to open up a tiny bit more everyday... Positive ID?

 

[sumphead]

One more thing to note in amazement. Whatever they are, they survived a year in a FOWLR tank with only NO lighting. Since moving to the reef my corraline growth has exploded and now these.

 

[ReefLady]

Yep, they are a zoanthid, specifically, Palythoa sp. Commonly referred to as a "button polyp" - extremely hardy.

HTH,

 

[sumphead]

it does thanks! not only a confirmation but a species! Who could ask for more. Much thanks!

 

[reefrunner69]

not only a confirmation but a species

Genus actually, the species in undetermined. Zoanthidae is a family containing several genus including zoanthus. This is really splitting zonathid hairs, but it looks like protopalythoa to me, palythoa forms a mat that the buttons come out of and curl up into.

 

[sumphead]

Thanks very much for the correction. The more I research the more I learn.

 

[loganj]

My guess is protopalythoa as well.