Zoanthids
Zoanthus sp.
Colourful button polyps in endless colour 'morphs', a beginner favourite (wear gloves - palytoxin).
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Min. Tank Size | 40 L |
| Temperature | 24.0–27.0 °C |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Max Size | 20.0 cm |
| Lifespan | Long years |
| Diet | Photosynthetic + feeding |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Overview
The Zoanthids (Zoanthus sp.) is colourful button polyps in endless colour 'morphs', a beginner favourite (wear gloves - palytoxin). It is a soft coral rated beginner to keep.
This guide covers how to keep Zoanthids thriving in a reef aquarium: lighting, water flow, placement, water chemistry, feeding, how it behaves towards neighbouring corals, and how to propagate (frag) it.
Care Level & Difficulty
Soft corals like this are the most forgiving corals and a perfect place to start reef-keeping, tolerating a wider range of light, flow and water quality.
Lighting
Provide low to high light for this coral. Soft corals are happy under modest reef lighting. Acclimate any new coral to your lights slowly over a couple of weeks to avoid shock and bleaching.
Water Flow
Aim for low to medium flow. The water should keep waste and detritus from settling on the coral without blasting its tissue. Soft corals sway nicely in moderate flow.
Placement in the Reef
Place the Zoanthids in the low to mid area of the reef, matching its light and flow needs. Give it room to grow so it does not shade or touch its neighbours.
Feeding
Like all photosynthetic corals it gets most of its energy from light via the algae in its tissue. It also captures food, so target-feed it with reef foods, mysis or coral pellets a couple of times a week for faster growth and better colour.
Aggression & Neighbours
This is a peaceful coral that will not sting its neighbours - just make sure faster corals don't overgrow it.
How to Propagate (Frag)
It is easy to frag: cut or snip a healthy piece and glue it to a frag plug or rock, and it soon grows into a new colony. Use coral glue or putty, work cleanly, and let cuts heal in stable water. Fragging is also how reefers trade and share corals.
Common Problems
Watch for tissue recession, bleaching (from too much light or unstable water) and pests; soft corals may also 'close up' for a few days while shedding a waxy film, which is normal.
The golden rule for corals is stability - small, steady changes and consistent Alk, Ca and Mg keep them healthy.
Is the Zoanthids Right for Your Reef?
The Zoanthids suits beginner reef keepers and nano tanks. Provide low to high light, low to medium flow and rock-solid water chemistry and it will reward you for years. Browse our marine fish and reef guides to build a balanced reef.
