Common name: Yellow Polyps

General information

Parazoanthus parasiticus, commonly known as Yellow Polyps, are a species of colonial anemones that are popular in the reef aquarium hobby for their vibrant color and ease of care. Despite their common name, they are not true polyps but belong to the order Zoantharia, which includes various zoanthids and palythoa.

These anemones are known for their bright yellow tentacles and encrusting habit, often forming dense mats over the substrate or live rock. They are relatively small, with individual polyps typically reaching a few millimeters in diameter.

Care

Yellow Polyps are hardy and can thrive in a range of lighting conditions, from moderate to high intensity. They prefer moderate water flow to help keep their tentacles free of debris and to facilitate feeding. They are photosynthetic, hosting symbiotic algae known as zooxanthellae, but will also benefit from supplemental feeding with microplankton or finely minced seafood.

Reproduction

Parazoanthus parasiticus reproduces both sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction is common in the aquarium through budding, where new polyps form from the base of existing ones. Sexual reproduction involves the release of gametes into the water column, but this is less commonly observed in home aquariums.

Symbiosis

While not known for hosting fish or invertebrates, Yellow Polyps may occasionally have commensal relationships with small crustaceans or amphipods that seek refuge among their tentacles.

Habitat

In the wild, Parazoanthus parasiticus is found in a variety of marine environments, often in shallow waters where they can attach to hard substrates. They are distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, where they contribute to the biodiversity and complexity of reef ecosystems.