Palythoa Care Guide
Palythoa is a hardy colonial coral related to zoanthids with larger fleshier polyps; many species contain potent palytoxin and must be handled with care.
Overview
Palythoa is a colonial cnidarian of the order Zoantharia, closely related to zoanthids but with larger, fleshier polyps whose flattened oral discs are surrounded by a fringe of tentacles. The polyps are partially embedded in an encrusting mat of shared tissue called coenenchyme. Colours are most often cream, coffee, white, brown or yellow, with occasional bright green colonies.
Taxonomy
- Family: Sphenopidae
- Genus: Palythoa
- Scientific name: Palythoa sp.
- Common synonyms: Paly, Button Polyps; Protopalythoa is a synonym of Palythoa
Habitat
More than 100 species of Palythoa are recognised globally on tropical reefs. In the aquarium they encrust rockwork as colonial mats, occupying shallow, well-lit reef positions like their zoanthid relatives.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Placement: attached to rockwork; low to moderate light and flow
Diet
Palythoa is largely photosynthetic, drawing nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae, and is considered very hardy. It is well suited to beginners when left undisturbed.
Compatibility
The coral is peaceful and reef-safe, suiting beginner reef tanks with clownfish, gobies, wrasses and snails. It is vulnerable to zoanthid-eating nudibranchs and to large angelfish that may nip the polyps.