The marine ecosystem carries immense undescribed organisms having huge potential uses for mankind. The zoanthids, classified under phylum Cnidaria, are mostly found in shallow waters, below the low tide mark. Based on morphological features, we identified a zoanthid during an expedition to Kanyakumari. Thorough examination of the color variations, polyp length, tentacle number, colony appearance and comparison with previously reported species of the genus, suggests that the species is Zoanthus pulchellus. This is the first report of this species from India.
