What Kind of Coral is This?

[Brycen]

I’m not really sure what coral these are. There are three different types, but I know that some are mushrooms. Anyone know?
-thanks!

 

[blaxsun]

Think of the coral in your mind and I'll try to picture it...

 

[Lavey29]

It's ok to dream, makes life fun.

 

[dannyd_]

All of the coral with the green center are zoas, I can't quite tell what the other is.

 

[Brycen]

All of the coral with the green center are zoas, I can't quite tell what the other is.

@riveradaniel thank you!

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

I’m not really sure what coral these are. There are three different types, but I know that some are mushrooms. Anyone know?
-thanks!

The green ones are Palythoa, similar to zoanthids

 

[dannyd_]

The green ones are Palythoa, similar to zoanthids

What gives it away? Normally the size makes it more clear to me, but how could you tell this time?

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

What gives it away? Normally the size makes it more clear to me, but how could you tell this time?

The polyp shape and color. Zoanthids will (usually) have a much more vibrant color, and this green is common in Palythoa, also polyp shape, zoas will have thicker and longer "frills" at the polyp rim and also have just a general different shape.


@encrustingacro was I right?

 

[Brycen]

The polyp shape and color. Zoanthids will (usually) have a much more vibrant color, and this green is common in Palythoa, also polyp shape, zoas will have thicker and longer "frills" at the polyp rim and also have just a general different shape.


@encrustingacro was I right?

That makes more sense. The lady who sold them to me said they were palys, but with them being so small I wasn’t sure. They were in a horrible tank situation. Pretty sure they are just starved from light. They look like they are either the Metallic Greens or Captain Jerks.

 

[encrustingacro]

The polyp shape and color. Zoanthids will (usually) have a much more vibrant color, and this green is common in Palythoa, also polyp shape, zoas will have thicker and longer "frills" at the polyp rim and also have just a general different shape.


@encrustingacro was I right?

The image is low-resolution which makes it hard to tell, but you are correct; those are Palythoa (cf toxica). P. toxica has a very thin oral disc, thinner than any Zoanthus, and thin tentacles. Palythoa also has a sandy mesoglea—this is the best way to differentiate Zoas from Palys—and occasionally have capitulary ridges.

 

[kevgib67]

Please take caution when handling them. They contain a very strong toxin. Google it so you know what precautions you need to take.