Trying to get an id Zoa or Paly?

[pr_diver]

Good morning everyone,

So my wife got me a new piece for the nano and I don't know if I'm looking at a Zoa or a paly? Any suggestions and tips to identify would be greatly appreciated!

 

[blaxsun]

Definitely a paly. I'd be careful handling this one (as you should with all zoas/palys, but this one in particular).

 

[pr_diver]

Definitely a paly. I'd be careful handling this one (as you should with all zoas/palys, but this one in particular).

Any specific reason why this one? Coloration size? Handling in the water is ok yes? I have handled it out of the water except to transfer from ita container into a tank and I wore glasses and used gloves.

 

[blaxsun]

Any specific reason why this one? Coloration size? Handling in the water is ok yes? I have handled it out of the water except to transfer from ita container into a tank and I wore glasses and used gloves.

I couldn't really give you a definitive answer - just something seems off with this one. It all depends on what your normal regiment is; I try to avoid sticking my hands in the tank if I have any cuts or scrapes and generally avoid all my zoas/palys if it can be helped.

 

[pr_diver]

I couldn't really give you a definitive answer - just something seems off with this one. It all depends on what your normal regiment is; I try to avoid sticking my hands in the tank if I have any cuts or scrapes and generally avoid all my zoas/palys if it can be helped.

He is about 12 hours old, he is from our local Petco on the island as an assorted Zoa pack.

 

[RedFrog211]

Looks like a Gold Dust Paly- definitely isolate to an island, as they are fast growers!

 

[blaxsun]

Looks like a Gold Dust Paly- definitely isolate to an island, as they are fast growers!

I have some gold dust - they don't look quite like these (lighting could be off, though).

 

[pr_diver]

You guy/gals are awesome with the quick responses and information.

Looks like a Gold Dust Paly- definitely isolate to an island, as they are fast growers!

I was thinking a Pink/Gold Dust Paly. As far as placing he's only 12/hrs in so just getting adjusted and I plan on gluing him to this bottle to cover it. I harvest them out of our local coral lagoon here in Puerto Rico. We have dozens of bottles on our porch in a 100/gallon that we harvest and keep.

My dad used to harvest these and make Zoa/Paly bottles and sell them as highlight pieces for reefs. I grew up loving them and after his passing and getting all his equipment I wanted to replicate them. Unfortunately it's been years since his passing and I have none of his original specimens.

 

[RedFrog211]

You guy/gals are awesome with the quick responses and information.

I was thinking a Pink/Gold Dust Paly. As far as placing he's only 12/hrs in so just getting adjusted and I plan on gluing him to this bottle to cover it. I harvest them out of our local coral lagoon here in Puerto Rico. We have dozens of bottles on our porch in a 100/gallon that we harvest and keep.

My dad used to harvest these and make Zoa/Paly bottles and sell them as highlight pieces for reefs. I grew up loving them and after his passing and getting all his equipment I wanted to replicate them. Unfortunately it's been years since his passing and I have none of his original specimens.

I’m very sorry to hear of his passing.. I hope these can help bring back good memories and peace!

 

[pr_diver]

So all but one polyp have extended out, about have the skirts are downward but not in a full umbrella mouths are flat. Just slowly watching them throughout the day.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Idk the name of these particular zoas, but these pink with gold flake zoas are a mainstay in the aquarium hobby as they grow ridiculously fast and can handle pretty much any water conditions. They do look a bit like they're stretching towards light and might appreciate a bit more of it.

 

[pr_diver]

Idk the name of these particular zoas, but these pink with gold flake zoas are a mainstay in the aquarium hobby as they grow ridiculously fast and can handle pretty much any water conditions. They do look a bit like they're stretching towards light and might appreciate a bit more of it.

I appreciate it I'm gonna crank the lights up a bit more.

 

[encrustingacro]

Not sure on this one. It looks like a larger polyp Zoanthus; it has thick tentacles, but the mesoglea is sort of rough (not sure if this is due to incorporation of sediment or just because deutritus from the water is sticking on the flesh) and I think I see capitulary ridges. I'll probably have to ask a coral taxonomist on this.

 

[pr_diver]

Not sure on this one. It looks like a larger polyp Zoanthus; it has thick tentacles, but the mesoglea is sort of rough (not sure if this is due to incorporation of sediment or just because deutritus from the water is sticking on the flesh) and I think I see capitulary ridges. I'll probably have to ask a coral taxonomist on this.

Here are some better closeups, all the polyps are open now. Need to rearrange some of the corals.

 

[encrustingacro]

Here are some better closeups, all the polyps are open now. Need to rearrange some of the corals.

Now that I see them, they're probably just large polyp Zoanthus.

 

[RedFrog211]

They look happy! Nice find

 

[pr_diver]

They look happy! Nice find

Thanks m8 my wife has a good eye, and she grabbed them up for only $15 for the colony so I can't complain!

 

[Jim Gomoll]

My Android doesn't take the best pics under any lighting combo so hard to say I have same Paly but think they might be those in question. Under blue light these glow between Gold to Orange. As already noted isolate them for they ARE fast growers. These two frags grew into large colony in under a year. Right and Bottom pics.

 

[pr_diver]

Some updates pictures, things are running smooth!!