 : Zoanthidae
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Taxonomy: Zoanthidea:
Zoanthidae
(Colonial Anemones) Body Form: The zoanthids are often found in small carpet-like colonies growing on rock. They are soft-bodied. Their polyps may be solitary, connected via runners (stolons), or massive (growing from a mat of mesoglea). Their polyp stalks and tentacles are generally short. They may add materials from the substrate to their body for support. Diet: The zoanthids have zooxanthellae (algae) but they are predators and most species feed on plankton. They also directly absorb nutrients from the water. Light energy alone is not enough to sustain them. Care Level: easy Natural History: The Zoanthids are primarily a colonial coral that are very hardy and grow well in aquaria. Some species are symbiotic with sponges and are aposematically (warning) colored and produce toxins. Some tolerate high wave action and others grow in sheltered reef zones. Most species feed continuously - day and night. They may infrequently slough off their outer surface to rid of algae and debris. Most species have high density zooanthellae but do not rely on them exclusively for nutrition. Their nematocysts are not potent but they may overgrow and smother neighboring coral colonies. They are often found growing in polluted reef areas and they tolerate turbidity well. As a group they produce palytoxin and seratonine. |
