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Genus Protopalythoa
Common species:
Many apparently different species are seen. Most are unclassified.
From Pacific: P. mutuki, P. variabilis, P. vestitus.
From Atlantic: P. grandiflora, P. grandis
Common Names
Sea Mat, Button Polyps
Lighting
Prefers bright light, but is tolerant of lower light
Aggressiveness
Very aggressive coral
Current
Prefers moderate to strong current
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Hardiness
Easy. Good starter coral
Color
Brown to dark green polyps. The oral opening and tentacles may contrast in color with the rest of the animal.
Feeding
Water parameters
72-78¡F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Origin
Propagation
High reproductive rate
Protopalythoa is often considered to be part of Palythoa. However, the polyps are usually not embedded in the base mat, remaining crowed but separate, with conspicious stalks that are often connected at their bases. They also have (often) more tentacles than Palythoa. Oral disk are broad and flat. Spokelike striation are common patterns on the discs.
Some species contain a strong neurotoxin which affects humans.
P. mutiki: Heavily sediment-encrusted polyps joined only at the base. Are found on reef flats and rocky shores. Large polyps are normally dark green with a white mouth.
P. toxica: This large polyp may be the same species as the Atlantic species P. grandis. Large, mottled brown and white oral disk. Solitary or in small colonies. Edges are often curled upward.
P. variabilis: Does not form mats, but has brown leathery polyps connected by the stolons at the base. Fairly long polyp. Feed mostly on zooplankton and particulate matter at night. Usually like stronger water flow and grow on sand.
P. vestitus: Small polyps forming large colonies. Polyps are connected by stolons (very delicate with white rounded perimeter tentacles and deep brown oral disk and white radiating stripes on disc). Prefer shallow-water, high water movement and strong lighting.
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