anthozoans

Anthozoans are marine animals belonging to the class Anthozoa within the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes jellyfish and corals. They are primarily stationary, soft-bodied creatures like true sea anemones and corals. Anthozoans have a ring of tentacles around their mouths, used for capturing plankton and small fish. Unlike some cnidarians with medusa stages, anthozoans exist only as polyps—they are persistent, colonial, or solitary. They play key roles in ocean ecosystems by building coral reefs, providing habitat, and supporting diverse marine life. Their ability to form symbiotic relationships with algae enhances their survival in nutrient-poor waters.