Green sea mat (Zoanthus sociatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Zoanthus sociatus
- Common name
- Green sea mat
- Category
- Cnidarians
- Family
- Zoanthidae
- Genus
- Zoanthus
- Size
- 10–100 cm
- Depth
- 1–15 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean
Description
Zoanthus sociatus forms colonies reaching several tens of centimeters. Caribbean zoanthid (Zoanthidae) with tightly packed colonial polyps, green to olive-brown column, oral disc fluorescent green to yellow-green with short crown of light tentacles. Lives from 1 to 15 m on shallow Caribbean rocky and coral reefs, Florida to Brazil. Hosts zooxanthellae (hence green color). Contains palytoxin, toxicity comparable to Palythoa. Classic Caribbean macro dive photo subject for fluorescent colors under flash.
Photo of Green sea mat
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Green sea mat?
- Green sea mat (Zoanthus sociatus) reaches 10–100 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Green sea mat?
- Green sea mat is found between 1–15 m deep.
- Is the Green sea mat dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Green sea mat?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Green sea mat?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Zoanthus
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 288843)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2257973)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia