Diet

• Zoanthus sansibaricus is a suspension-feeding and photosynthetic zoantharian that captures plankton and small organic particles with its tentacles.

• Its tissues contain symbiotic dinoflagellates that provide nutrients through photosynthesis, supplementing food obtained by capturing particles from the water.

• The species can therefore obtain energy through both autotrophic and heterotrophic feeding.

Range

• It has been recorded in the tropical eastern Pacific, including the Galápagos Islands and Ecuador.

• Its broad distribution and variable appearance make identification based solely on colour or external morphology difficult.

Habitat

• Zoanthus sansibaricus commonly inhabits rocky shores, coral reefs and other hard substrates exposed to water movement.

• It is particularly common in intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats, although colonies have been documented considerably deeper, including more than 35 m and records approaching 50 m.

• Colonies may occur in cracks, crevices and small overhangs, as well as on exposed reef surfaces.

• Strong currents and wave action are well tolerated, and colonies in shallow habitats may form extensive mats over rock and reef surfaces.

Description

• Zoanthus sansibaricus is a colonial zoantharian forming mats or clusters of individual polyps that are connected at their bases.

• Colonies can occasionally cover about 1 m², although much smaller colonies are common, particularly in cracks and sheltered spaces.

• Open polyps are generally about 2–12 mm in diameter and can reach approximately 20 mm in length, although individuals exposed to strong currents or waves are often smaller.

• The polyps have a relatively distinct cylindrical column and broad oral disc surrounded by numerous short tentacles, typically about 40–58.

• Colour is highly variable. Colonies may be orange, red, brown, green, purple, white, blue or yellow, with considerable variation in the colour and pattern of the oral disc and tentacles.