Filter Feeder ID

[gbroadbridge]

Hi, can anyone put a name to these critters growing on my Maxima Clam shell.

Some sort of filter feeder, but a name would be great

 

[Nano sapiens]

To my eye they look like Palythoa, but could also be a Zoanthid. Not true corals, but relatives of the anemone (some call these 'colonial anemones').

While they could be considered 'filter feeders' in the sense that they absorb nutrients/bacteria from the water, many species can be fed small foods.

If you remove or relocate them, take special care as these may contain potentially lethal palytoxin (best to wear gloves and eyewear). They make a nice addition to the reef aquarium as long as they don't get damaged/squished.

 

[gbroadbridge]

To my eye they look like Palythoa, but could also be a Zoanthid. Not true corals, but relatives of the anemone (some call these 'colonial anemones').

While they could be considered 'filter feeders' in the sense that they absorb nutrients/bacteria from the water, many species can be fed small foods.

If you remove or relocate them, take special care as these may contain potentially lethal palytoxin (best to wear gloves and eyewear). They make a nice addition to the reef aquarium as long as they don't get damaged/squished.

Oh, didn't think of a coral growing on a clam shell. lol

 

[WheatToast]

To my eye they look like Palythoa, but could also be a Zoanthid. Not true corals, but relatives of the anemone (some call these 'colonial anemones').

+1.
Zoanthids, stony corals, Corallimorphs, and sea anemones all represent separate orders in the class Hexacorallia, so I would assume they are all near-equally closely related to one another. Soft corals and gorgonians belong to the separate class Octocorallia.