Azure Blue Zoanthid (Zoanthidea sp.)

Unfortunately, this colony died a few weeks back. It met a similar end as my Kiwi Green Zoanthids.

Not much growth in these last couple of days.

Some more growth.

A little bit of growth in this Zoanthid colony.

The name "Azure Blue Zoanthid" is just a description of this species from the large and diverse family Zonathidia. A colonial polyp coral, zoanthids are generally quite hardy. They are mostly photosynthetic, but can "grab" food particles out of the water. Like most corals, they close up and shrivel at night or when disturbed.

Zoanthids often grow into a "sea mat" covering the rock-work. Very few creatures prey on them as they contain a potent palyotoxin. There are some species of nudibranch (sea slugs) that are known to prey on them, ingest their toxins, and then use those ingested toxins to deter their own predation.

I purchased this small frag of around 10 polyps in the hope that they will eventually color up in my tank. Right now they have a sort of pale blue mouth and light brown tentacles.