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Protopalythoa heliodiscus
P. heliodiscus occurs as a colony of zoanthids attached to stolons (fleshy stalks), which are in turn attached to the substrate. Each disc is in fact an individual animal, with its mouth in the center. The two rows of tentacles arranged around the edge of the disc are characteristic of zoanthids. They feed on plankton and derive energy from zooxanthellae that they host.
Commonly found on coral reefs, the deep sea and other marine environments.
Spotted this cluster in about 30m of water, at the dive site called Coral Gardens, off the western coast of Talikud Island, Samal, Philippines.
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