Zoa vs Paly, help with identification please

[vigasan]

I got these from a local seller and was hoping for some identification help, if possible, please? Including pictures under white light and my regular lighting.

I've tried on my own, and the closest I've gotten is Mohawk Zoanthid vs. a type of Palythoa button colony.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO almost everything is described as a zoa by default, but to me those are pally's.

 

[Piotrek]

I'd vote pally's as well.

 

[RedFrog211]

Looks like a pandora or gold dust paly, though they're sometimes listed as zoas.

One distinction is palythoa typically incorporate substrate into their mesoglea and coenenchyme, which I believe we could be seeing here.

If the sand and substrate is incorporated into the flesh of the coral, it's likely a palythoa :) (though some sand-encrusting zoathids do exist)

Unfortunately, corals can be a taxonomic nightmare, especially when only based on pictures

 

[vigasan]

Thank you guys! I appreciate all the help!

 

[vigasan]

Looks like a pandora or gold dust paly, though they're sometimes listed as zoas.

One distinction is palythoa typically incorporate substrate into their mesoglea and coenenchyme, which I believe we could be seeing here.

If the sand and substrate is incorporated into the flesh of the coral, it's likely a palythoa :) (though some sand-encrusting zoathids do exist)

Unfortunately, corals can be a taxonomic nightmare, especially when only based on pictures

Tbh that might be from me doing a water change and turning over the substrate the day before xD