Zoas vs Palys?

[Pazman]

I am relatively new to the reefing hobby (Nov 2017) but definitely addicted to reading everything I can and just absorbing it all. My question is what is the difference between zoanthids and palythoa? They look very similar and just wanted to know if there where some obvious distinctions.
Thank you R2R for all of the great advice that has helped me be successful in my first 2 reef tanks.

 

[joshporksandwich]

I am relatively new to the reefing hobby (Nov 2017) but definitely addicted to reading everything I can and just absorbing it all. My question is what is the difference between zoanthids and palythoa? They look very similar and just wanted to know if there where some obvious distinctions.
Thank you R2R for all of the great advice that has helped me be successful in my first 2 reef tanks.

They are all zoanthids but people classify the bigger polyp zoas with a longer stem palys and the smaller ones that cluster together as zoas. Actual scientists only call palythoa the ones that cover their stems with sand and slime a lot.

 

[alton]

For me Zoa's will be eaten by my Angelfish, Paly's are normally not eaten by anything.