Magician Zoa or Palythoa

[therealraf02]

I got approximately 20-30 polyps of these magicians last year. I count probably 70-80 now. I'm wondering if they're zoas or palythoa. I'd like to frag them and move a decent amount to my other system for a zoa garden I'm starting up but I'm lowkey a little hesitant. Ignore the bubble algae... work in progress lol.

 

[ColorMeGone]

Look like Zoes to me

 

[DSC reef]

I believe they're palythoa

 

[BryanM]

Impossible to tell under that much blue light.

 

[exnisstech]

I treat zoas and plays both with respect and use normal precautions and PPE when working with both and I've never had a problem. I've removed hundreds of plays while in the tank because they were taking over and weren't even good looking. Nothing in the tank was bothered.

 

[littlebigreef]

Size does not determine whether it’s a zoa or a paly. What trades as magicians are indeed a zoa. However, there’s still a chance they carry some toxin. Use proper discretion and PPE and they pose no risk in being fragged.

 

[DSC reef]

I've always had magicians be referred to as palys, maybe its my area. I guess it really doesn't matter, always be careful when fragging or removing. Traditionally palys are larger than zoas but I wouldn't rely specifically on size to determine a species.

 

[littlebigreef]

I've always had magicians be referred to as palys, maybe its my area. I guess it really doesn't matter, always be careful when fragging or removing. Traditionally palys are larger than zoas but I wouldn't rely specifically on size to determine a species.

It’s not just your area, it’s been a short coming across the hobby for awhile. Obvisouly the taxonomy of coral is subject to change. But, this is the result of vendors arbitrarily slapping species’ names (on top of commercial trade names) based on a cursory look.

All that to say folks should exercise due discretion when working with any of them.

 

[commod0re]

I’m not an expert so don’t consider this as a positive ID, but these look like Zoanthus gigantus to me not palythoas

If you can get a look at the mesoglea (the flesh on the underside and stem) it will be rough if it’s a true palythoa

 

[littlebigreef]

If you can get a look at the mesoglea (the flesh on the underside and stem) it will be rough if it’s a true palythoa

That’s the most readily identifiable difference between the two. If you’ve worked with enough stuff it’s pretty recognizable, especially when fragging.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I’m not an expert so don’t consider this as a positive ID, but these look like Zoanthus gigantus to me not palythoas

If you can get a look at the mesoglea (the flesh on the underside and stem) it will be rough if it’s a true palythoa

Great info. Thanks!

 

[therealraf02]

Didn't get any notifications for some reason! Thanks for the info. Here's a video of the stems.

I do believe they are zoanthids, based on what everyone has been saying so far.

 

[StartingATank]

I would say that the trade name for those would be ultra magicians. Other than that, I can't be much help because I don't have much experience with palys

 

[toygrr]

I'm no expert, but I have a collection of zoas (and probably palys) and the only "definitive" thing I've read was the shape of the mouth. Some say the long slot mouth is indicative of palys, and a smaller circular mouth is zoas? Someone smarter than me please correct me if I'm wrong :P