We just added a very unique submission to the CoralPedia.com site. Although a bit late on our part, the submitter (spy_i) submitted these Zoanthids that were found in Dubai, UAE (United Arab Emirates)! Spy_i added in their notes that the salinity in Dubai is too high (in the
upper 37 to lower 38 psu [4] range) to form reefs and it came as quite a surprise to find Zoanthids there.
spy_i wrote:
"I currently live in Dubai and [stumbled] upon this zoa on the famous Madinat Hotel (opposite Burj Al Arab Hotel). I was strolling along the hotel's man made creek when I saw like a beehive on the water dikes. [...] I personally collected this Zoa from the man made creek [...]. I never imagined that such life [would] have existed here in the waters of Dubai. I know that the level of salinity is too high that Dubai [doesn't] have any Reefs at all. I was looking around the macro's that [were] growing on the dike when I [noticed] a dark beehive like thing. All I thought was a dark chocolatey sponge. Surprisingly, upon closer inspection, the blue center on the zoo just pierce thru its brown skirts. To my excitement I [quickly] pulled a small colony that was growing on a clam... then I realize this zoo is everywhere with big colonies matting on the side of the man made dikes."
Thanks for the submission and special treat, spy_i!
You can see
spy_i's "Green Eyed Arabs" [5] here:
[6]
You can see where other corals have been reportedly collected by visiting our
CoralPedia's Coral Origins [7] page.
Enjoy,
-Who Dah?
