Anthozoans remain polypoid throughout their lives. They can reproduce asexually by budding or fragmentation, or sexually by producing gametes. Both gametes are produced by the polyp, which can fuse to give rise to a free-swimming planula larva.

How does anthozoa eat?

Most Anthozoans are carnivores. Prey is captured with mucus or stingers (more about these stingers see cnidarians in general). Tentacles may push larger prey into the central mouth. The edges of the mouth may be inflated into 'lips' that pucker to hold prey as it is swallowed.

How many anthozoa are there?

There are over 6,000 species of Anthozoans which are found from the intertidal zone to the depths of the trenches (to 6,000 m). Unlike other cnidarians, anthozoans do not have a medusa stage in their development, they live exclusively as polyps throughout their life cycles.