Green Sea Mat
Zoanthus sociatus
Green sea mats are colonial zoanthids that form dense carpets of small, button-like polyps on shallow Caribbean reefs, rocks, and mangrove roots. Each polyp extends a ring of tentacles to catch tiny plankton and organic particles from the water. When disturbed, the polyps quickly retract into their leathery body tissue for protection. Like other zoanthids, they contain potent defensive chemicals and should not be handled carelessly.
- Type
- Water / Venom
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- Green Sea Mat