Button Polyps

Button polyps(Zooanthus sp.) are colonies of small anemone looking polyps similar to Sea Mats.  Fine tentacles radiate out from the edge of the disc. These polyps may be connected at the base due to the way they spread by budding, but the polyps do not share a common base like Sea Mats(Protopalythoa sp.) do.  Coloration is variable depending on type and are commonly shades of brown, green, yellow, pink or even red.

Button polyps have the ability to sting other polyps or corals. While the sting is not strong, they are semi-aggressive and need to have space between their colony and any neighbors since they tend to crowd them out. They are easy to maintain, making them a good choice for beginner reef aquarists. They require a moderate light level combined with a medium water movement within the aquarium. For continued good health, they will also require the addition of iodine and other trace elements to the water.They contain the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae which provide almost all of their nutritional requirements. Especially if the lighting is not optimal, they should be fed micro-plankton or baby brine shrimp.