Zoanthids (
order Zoantharia also called Zoanthidea or Zoanthiniaria) are an order of
cnidarians commonly found in
coral reefs, the deep sea and many other marine environments around the world. These
animals come in a variety of different colonizing formations and in numerous colors. They can be found as individual
polyps, attached by a fleshy
stolon or a mat that can be created from small pieces of
sediment, sand and rock. The term "zoanthid" refers to all animals within this order Zoantharia, and should not be confused with "
Zoanthus", which is one genus within Zoantharia.