Zoanthus sp.
| Care Level | Easy — great beginner coral |
| Lighting | Low to high |
| Water Flow | Low to moderate |
| Placement | Low to mid rock |
| Aggression | Peaceful, spreads |
| Coloration | Every color imaginable |
Overview
Zoanthids (“zoas”) are colonial button polyps that come in a dazzling array of colors and patterns, with named designer morphs commanding high prices. Hardy, colorful, and fast-growing, they are among the most popular corals in the hobby.
Care & Placement
Very adaptable — they take low to high light and gentle-to-moderate flow, coloring up best under moderate light. They encrust and spread across rock over time. If polyps stay closed, check for flatworms, nudibranchs, or too much/too little flow.
Feeding
Photosynthetic, but they respond well to feeding — target-feed small meaty foods or coral foods to boost growth and color.
Propagation
Easy to frag — cut the mat between polyps or pop individual polyps off a plug and glue to new frag plugs.
Cautions
IMPORTANT: Zoanthids and palythoas can contain palytoxin, one of the most potent natural toxins known. Wear gloves and eye protection, never handle with open cuts, and never boil or scrape rock with them in open air. Keep away from children and pets.