Common name: Anthozoans
Anthozoa is a class within the phylum Cnidaria that includes a diverse range of marine organisms such as corals and sea anemones. These creatures are predominantly sessile, meaning they are usually attached to the seafloor or other substrates, and they are exclusively marine. Anthozoans are unique in that they do not have a medusa stage in their life cycle, which is a notable characteristic that differentiates them from other cnidarians like jellyfish.
Corals, one of the most well-known groups within Anthozoa, form large colonies and are crucial to the formation of coral reefs. These reefs are biodiversity hotspots, supporting a vast array of marine life. Corals have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, a type of algae that lives within their tissues. This relationship is vital as the algae provide the corals with nutrients via photosynthesis, while the corals offer the algae protection and access to sunlight.
Sea anemones, another group within Anthozoa, are solitary polyps that often form mutualistic relationships with clownfish. The anemones provide protection with their stinging tentacles, while the clownfish offer cleaning and protection from predators. This symbiosis is a fascinating example of interspecies cooperation.
For reef aquarium enthusiasts, Anthozoans are a popular choice due to their vibrant colors and interesting behaviors. However, they require specific water conditions, including stable temperatures, appropriate salinity, and adequate lighting to support their photosynthetic partners. Proper care and understanding of their needs are essential for maintaining healthy Anthozoan specimens in a home aquarium.
- Common name: Starry Cup CoralScientific name: Acanthastrea echinata
- Common name: Acan CoralScientific name: Acanthastrea hemprichii
- Common name: Abrolhos AcroporaScientific name: Acropora abrolhosensis
- Common name: Aculeus Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora aculeus
- Common name: Acropora azureaScientific name: Acropora azurea
- Common name: Acropora batunaiScientific name: Acropora batunai
- Common name: Acropora bifurcataScientific name: Acropora bifurcata
- Common name: Bushy AcroporaScientific name: Acropora bushyensis
- Common name: Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora carduus
- Common name: Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora caroliniana
- Common name: Corymbose branching plate coralScientific name: Acropora cerealis
- Common name: Chesterfield Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora chesterfieldensis
- Common name: Digitate AcroporaScientific name: Acropora digitifera
- Common name: Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora divaricata
- Common name: Blueberry Sea FanScientific name: Acropora echinata
- Common name: Acropora elseyiScientific name: Acropora elseyi
- Common name: Stout irregular branching coralScientific name: Acropora florida
- Common name: Formosa Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora formosa
- Common name: Acropora forskaliScientific name: Acropora forskali
- Common name: Branching AcroporaScientific name: Acropora gemmifera
- Common name: Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora grandis
- Common name: Granulosa AcroporaScientific name: Acropora granulosa
- Common name: Hemprich's AcroporaScientific name: Acropora hemprichii
- Common name: Acropora horridaScientific name: Acropora horrida
- Common name: Finger coralScientific name: Acropora humilis
- Common name: Acropora jacquelineaeScientific name: Acropora jacquelineae
- Common name: Acropora kimbeensisScientific name: Acropora kimbeensis
- Common name: Lamarck's Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora lamarcki
- Common name: Acropora latistellaScientific name: Acropora latistella
- Common name: bluetip coralScientific name: Acropora loripes
- Common name: Acropora lovelliScientific name: Acropora lovelli
- Common name: Acropora maryaeScientific name: Acropora maryae
- Common name: Acropora microphthalmaScientific name: Acropora microphthalma
- Common name: Fluro scale cushion coralScientific name: Acropora millepora
- Common name: Montipora CapricornisScientific name: Acropora monticulosa
- Common name: Acropora multiacutaScientific name: Acropora multiacuta
- Common name: Acropora nanaScientific name: Acropora nana
- Common name: Acropora nasutaScientific name: Acropora nasuta
- Common name: Acropora nobilisScientific name: Acropora nobilis
- Common name: Column Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora palifera
- Common name: elkhorn coralScientific name: Acropora palmata
- Common name: Acropora parilisScientific name: Acropora parilis
- Common name: Pharaoh's AcroporaScientific name: Acropora pharaonis
- Common name: fused staghornScientific name: Acropora prolifera
- Common name: Acropora pulchraScientific name: Acropora pulchra
- Common name: Acropora robustaScientific name: Acropora robusta
- Common name: Acropora sarmentosaScientific name: Acropora sarmentosa
- Common name: Acropora schmittiScientific name: Acropora schmitti
- Common name: Acropora secaleScientific name: Acropora secale
- Common name: Acropora selagoScientific name: Acropora selago
- Common name: Acropora seriataScientific name: Acropora seriata
- Common name: Staghorn CoralScientific name: Acropora spicifera
- Common name: Acropora squarrosaScientific name: Acropora squarrosa
- Common name: Acropora subulataScientific name: Acropora subulata
- Common name: Acropora suharsonoiScientific name: Acropora suharsonoi
- Common name: purple tipped acroporaScientific name: Acropora tenuis
- Common name: Blue Tort AcroporaScientific name: Acropora tortuosa
- Common name: Acropora tumidaScientific name: Acropora tumida
- Common name: Acropora valenciennesiScientific name: Acropora valenciennesi
- Common name: Acropora validaScientific name: Acropora valida
- Common name: Acropora variolosaScientific name: Acropora variolosa
- Common name: Acrozoanthus AustraliaeScientific name: Acrozoanthus australiae
- Common name: Beadlet anemoneScientific name: Actinia equina
- Common name: Strawberry anemoneScientific name: Actinia fragacea
- Common name: Waratah anemoneScientific name: Actinia tenebrosa
- Common name: tree anemoneScientific name: Actinodendron arboreum
- Common name: Branching anemoneScientific name: Actinodendron glomeratum
- Common name: Branching anemoneScientific name: Actinodendron plumosum
- Common name: Haeckel's AnemoneScientific name: Actinostephanus haeckeli
- Common name: sheet coralScientific name: Agaricia lamarcki
- Common name: Trumpet anemoneScientific name: Aiptasia mutabilis
- Common name: pale anemoneScientific name: Aiptasia pallida
- Common name: dead man's fingersScientific name: Alcyonium digitatum
- Common name: Red sea fingersScientific name: Alcyonium glomeratum
- Common name: Dead Man's FingersScientific name: Alcyonium palmatum
- Common name: Net coralScientific name: Alveopora catalai
- Common name: Alveopora CoralScientific name: Alveopora gigas
- Common name: Giant Cup Mushroom CoralScientific name: Amplexidiscus fenestrafer
- Common name: False flower coralScientific name: Anacropora forbesi
- Common name: Manjano AnemoneScientific name: Anemonia manjano
- Common name: Snakelocks anemoneScientific name: Anemonia viridis
- Common name: Anomastraea irregularisScientific name: Anomastraea irregularis
- Common name: Waving Hand CoralScientific name: Anthelia glauca
- Common name: giant green anemoneScientific name: Anthopleura xanthogrammica
- Common name: slimy sea plumeScientific name: Antillogorgia americana
- Common name: forked sea featherScientific name: Antillogorgia bipinnata
- Common name: Sea PlumeScientific name: Antillogorgia elisabethae
- Common name: Galapagos black coralScientific name: Antipathes galapagensis
- Common name: Starflower coralScientific name: Astreopora listeri
- Common name: Branching Frogspawn CoralScientific name: Australogyra zelli
- Common name: corkscrew anemoneScientific name: Bartholomea annulata
- Common name: Curlycue AnemoneScientific name: Bartholomea lucida
- Common name: Branched cup coralScientific name: Blastomussa merleti
- Common name: Branched cup coralScientific name: Blastomussa wellsi
- Common name: Bulb AnemoneScientific name: Boloceroides mcmurrichi
- Common name: corky sea fingersScientific name: Briareum asbestinum
- Common name: Hermit crab anemoneScientific name: Calliactis polypus
- Common name: Cantharellus jebbiScientific name: Cantharellus jebbi
- Common name: Kenya Tree CoralScientific name: Capnella imbricata
- Common name: carnation coralScientific name: Caryophyllia inornata
- Common name: Devonshire cup-coralScientific name: Caryophyllia smithii
- Common name: Elegance coralScientific name: Catalaphyllia jardinei
- Common name: Candy Cane CoralScientific name: Caulastraea connata
- Common name: Finger coralScientific name: Caulastraea echinulata
- Common name: Finger coralScientific name: Caulastraea furcata
- Common name: Finger coralScientific name: Caulastraea tumida
- Common name: Finger coralScientific name: Caulastrea curvata
- Common name: Cavernularia obesaScientific name: Cavernularia obesa
- Common name: southern cerianthidScientific name: Ceriantheopsis americana
- Common name: Large tube anemoneScientific name: Cerianthus filiformis
- Common name: Cylinder AnemoneScientific name: Cerianthus lloydii
- Common name: Tube AnemoneScientific name: Cerianthus membranaceus
- Common name: whip CoralScientific name: Cirrhipathes anguina
- Common name: Colt CoralScientific name: Cladiella australis
- Common name: Cauliflower CoralScientific name: Cladiella pauciflora
- Common name: tube coralScientific name: Cladocora arbuscula
- Common name: Green Star PolypsScientific name: Clavularia viridis
- Common name: Feather Star CoralScientific name: Coelogorgia palmosa
- Common name: Tombstone coralScientific name: Coeloseris mayeri
- Common name: large-grooved brain coralScientific name: Colpophyllia natans