Zoanthids Coral Information
Zoanthids are a common invertebrate of the world's oceans. They are often called button polyps, zoas, or carpet coral. Their relation and similarity to corals and anemone sometimes causes people to mistake them for one of these family members.
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Appearance
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Individual zoanthids tend to be small. Their structure consists of a stem with a head resembling a sun disk. The center of the disk contains an opening through which all matters of intake and output occur. Short soft tentacles surround the disk. Most frequently these animals are brown or green. However, they can also be seen in colors and combinations ranging from muted tones to psychedelic.
Care
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Because this creature is resilient, it is a good choice for those who are novices at keeping a home aquarium. They don't require much effort to survive. Lighting can vary from dim to bright. The water temperature can fluctuate from 76 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit and should flow at a medium to fast rate. Their diet mainly consists of nutrients absorbed from zooxanthellae, an algae that lives amongst them. When handling zoas, be sure to wear gloves. They carry toxins that are extremely dangerous. Hand washing after contact is also recommended.
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Behavior
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Zoanthids grow rapidly on surfaces such as dead coral. Zoanthids are not considered aggressive. However, because they reproduce quickly, they can destroy stony corals. On the other hand, they are prone to attack by other invertebrates. Therefore, a divider that zoas can expand to should be used between them and other corals. Wandering tank inhabitants, especially the box snail, will make a meal of zoanthids.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Coral and Brittle Stars image by Peter Hedges from Fotolia.com korallenriff image by hapa7 from Fotolia.com
