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How to Identify Zoanthids

Zoanthids are marine organisms that grow much like coral. They are an interesting creature, not quite plant nor animal. "Flower animal" is the Greek translation for zoanthid and is an apt description. Zoanthids come in a variety of colors, so identifying them by color is difficult. They are an attractive and fascinating addition to an aquarium. Some zoanthids are fully grown at 1 inch in diameter, and others grow to 3 inches or more in diameter. Zoanthids range in color from a dull brown to bright fluorescent and neon orange, green and purple. The brightly colored zoanthids are particularly popular with aquarium owners.

Instructions

- 1
  Count the tentacles on the marine organism. Zoanthids have groups of six tentacles. If the creature has groupings of eight tentacles, it is another species. The tentacles are easier to see at night while the zoanthids are feeding.
- 2
  Examine the exterior of the marine organism. Zoanthids do not have hard skeletons. Zoanthids look more like flowers or animals, with a soft exterior, than hard corals.
- 3
  Look at the top of the marine organism. Zoanthids have an oral disc on the top, called the mouth. The mouth is surrounded by two rings of tentacles.
- 4
  Examine the oral disc, or mouth, of the marine organism. The mouth of a zoanthid ranges in color from brownish yellow to cream, even if the rest of the creature is another color entirely.
- 5
  Study the growth pattern of the marine organism. Zoanthids grow as single pods or in a mat of pods. Single pods are sometimes connected by a runner, similar to a vine. Single growth is more common for zoanthids than the mat pattern.
- 6
  Consider where the marine organism is growing. In the wild, zoanthids usually grow in shallow water in tropical climates only. If the creature is in an aquarium store, the store keeper should be able to tell you it is a zoanthid, although they may not be able to tell the type of zoanthid. Experts rely on DNA testing to identify types of zoanthids because visually distinguishing them from one another is difficult.

Animals & Science