Zoos vs. Paly's
 

PLEASE keep in mind that I am VERY new to s/w, so try not to flame to bad. My questions is this: What is the difference between zoos and paly's? They look the same to me. Help me out here.

I was wondering the same thing? So that make two of us.

Will

Palythoa is a Genus of the Family Zoanthid.
Therefore, it is my understanding that, Palys are zoos.

Cheers,

palys are a generally bigger form of zoos I believe.

They are the same species..

Palys are usually bigger polyps and stems, and when closed have a visualized line through the polyp, while zoos when closed do not, and are smooth.

Palys usually also have a more pronounced mouth, then do zoos, and I find the palys come in more intricate colours, with many multi coloured morphs out there.

Mike

I was wondering, too--thanks for asking!

Palys draw sediment into thier tissues to make them more ridgid. That's why you'll see white specks in the stalk, and white lines in the disk sometimes. They also have a strong feeding response, they close quickly over food. Many don't seem to share a common "matt" with the others in the colony, growing in small groups making up a colony.

The other Zoas, short dense ones, feed more on detrius and dissolved nutrients. They don't have the same feeding response, and have no sediment in the tissues. They share a common "matt" and are all attached as a colony.

All are part of the Zoanthus group.

The "matt" thing is correct zoo's share a matt which they all grow up from paly are individual poylps and are generally larger

From what I understand, zoos can pack quite a sting. Are palys any different?

The toxin that zoos carry is called "palytoxin", so you can guess that they're at least as bad.