Zoas and Palys ...Whats the difference?

[Malibu361]

Ok,I am confused what makes them what they are ?I see ppl selling them as each other once in awhile and curious what are the maror differences?

 

[tosiek]

There is a really good thread on that posted a while ago.

 

[rgun2515]

There is a really good thread on that posted a while ago.

I always thought it was the size. I am curious too... Do you remember the post?

 

[Malibu361]

I will do a search again ...Do you remember the name of the post please..?Thanks

 

[reefman]

i'm thinkin Zoas and Palys and button polyps r the same thing.

 

[Keith P]

Aren't Palys carnivorous & zoas are only photosynthetic?

I have palys and they will eat mysis. My zoas do not..

 

[daaznmofo]

i believe it's the way they grow.

 

[kigs]

Palys, you'll see a vertical striations when polyps are closed which is lacking in zoanthids. Polyp sizes tend to be much bigger with palys as well. Some will say that the "neon green slit" in the mouth area can be an indicative factor but some zoanthids do exhibit the same appearance so the best way to distinguish them would be using the vertical striations. Considering that the zoanthid classifications are in such disarray, I wouldn't pay too much mind to it for now.

 

[Marteen]

I always though palys were bigger. I'm sure there is a scientific explanation.

Well Palys scientific name is:

Sphenopidae palythoa

and zoas scientific name is:

Zoanthidae zoanthus


From an article I read the main difference between the two is that Palythoa can live in a wide range of environments but most Zoanthus are only found in a narrow range of enviroments. I'm sure there is more but I'm not a marine biologist!

 

[MatthewScars]

Palys/buttons dont get zoa pox.