In natural environments, species of the genus Zoanthus are predominantly found in shallow tropical and subtropical marine waters, where they colonize hard substrates on coral reefs. Zoanthus is characterized by the production of chemical defenses through toxin synthesis and by a mat-forming growth strategy that enables rapid occupation of large areas of rocky substrate. Proliferations of Zoanthus sociatus and Zoanthus solanderi can cover extensive areas referred to as “Zoanthus zones”. These organisms play an important ecological role by providing structural habitat and shelter for a variety of marine organisms and by contributing to overall reef biodiversity. Through the formation of extensive colonies, zoanthids can become a dominant component of the benthic community, frequently occurring alongside scleractinian corals and other reef-associated flora.