Mushrooms &

Zooanthids

All Mushrooms are grouped on the right side of the tank making a garden of sorts.

Mushroom anemones (Discosoma and Actinodiscus) are one of the easiest lifeforms to keep in home aquaria. Morphology lies

somewhere between corals and anemones being stucturally similar to anemones but non-aggressive feeders.

There are many color variations. Most commonly seen colors are red, blue, green, and purple. Altho variations in hue are limitless.

Pattern and texture variations include plain, speckled, mottled, striped, spotted, smooth, hairy, frilly, and fuzzy.

Mushrooms expand dramatically when placed in a low current area of the tank. They will endure and even thrive under most lighting

conditions. Altho direct metal halide lighting and strong current will prevent full expansion. Iodine is essential for proper

coloration, expansion, and growth. Very hardy, excellent choice for the new reef keeper.

Zooanthids

Button Polyps (Zooanthus pulchellus, Zooanthus sociatus) are a very common and prolific group of colonial anemones. They are stalked with a flat mushroom-type head and have

fine tentacles that radiate from the outer edge of the disc. They adjust well to most any lighing conditions, reproduce easily, and are very hardy in home aquariums. Feeding is

not required but they will readily accept small bits of food. Sea Mats (Palythoa sp) may be almost

undistinguishable from button polyps and are more than often sold as such. The pink sea mat to the left was listed as a super color button polyp.

However, these polyps are part of fiberous encrusting mat. Individuals cannot be seperated without cutting through the mat that binds them.

NOTE OF CAUTION: Despite thier non-aggressive nature, some Zooanthus secrete palytoxins in thier mucus. This is only dangerous

if mucus contacts a break or cut in the skin, and can be potentially deadly.