Difference between blue hornet and purple hornet

[thamnasteroid]

What is the difference between blue and purple hornet zoanthids? They look the same to me.

 

[SchrutesReefs]

I believe their colors differ slightly, but IMO the centers are different. The blues have a lighter center than the purples. Again, my opinion.

 

[littlebigreef]

They’ve both been around long enough you’ll see them regularly misidentified.

The key difference is that blue hornets have a white/blue center and then a ring. Purple hornets simply have the ring. Second thing is that purple hornets have a purple base that’s pretty apparent, on blue hornets this is more a cobalt color. Third thing you’ll notice is that most (not all) blue hornets have an alternating blue and green skirt, the purple hornet is simply a solid green/yellow. I’ll add the blue hornet polyps are slightly larger, little more slow growing. My pic of the blues are sorta crappy but here’s both under the same lights and conditions for reference.

 

[Hooz]

Mine look very different. These are on the same rock, about 4" apart. Same flow, same lighting, same everything...

Blue

Purple