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    Zoanthid (soft, colonial)

    Zoanthids

    Zoanthus spp.

    Also sold as Zoas, Button polyps, Colony polyps

    Zoanthids (Zoanthus spp.)
    Photo: Kazvorpal, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Type
    Zoanthid (soft, colonial)
    Care level
    Beginner
    Light
    50 to 150 PAR (low)
    Flow
    Medium
    With neighbours
    Spreads or stings mildly

    Safety: handling zoanthids

    How do you care for zoanthids?

    Placement

    Middle to upper rock; some colour morphs listed bottom to middle typical, check

    Flow

    Medium

    Feeding

    Optional; mostly photosynthetic. Fine foods help under weaker light typical, check

    Growth

    Moderate to fast, spreads by budding across rock typical, check

    Water quality

    Tolerant. Very low nutrients can make colonies close up (widely reported, unconfirmed here)

    How much light does it need?

    Sources put it at about 50 to 150 PAR, measured where the coral sits. Start a new coral at the low end and raise it over weeks.

    Retail listings range from moderate to high light; tolerant of most fixtures. Soft coral band 50 to 150 PAR.

    Which neighbours are safe?

    Semi-aggressive: weak sting, but crowds and overgrows neighbours typical, check

    Give room to spread; keep on its own rock or island if neighbours are slow growers

    Fish

    Fish known to nip this group of corals, or small enough to be caught by it.

    Take care (4)

    • Coral beautyCoral beauty may nip soft corals, more so when underfed.
    • Flame angelfishFlame angelfish may nip soft corals, more so when underfed.
    • Foxface rabbitfishFoxface rabbitfish may nip soft corals, more so when underfed.
    • Moorish idolMoorish idol may nip soft corals, more so when underfed.

    Other corals

    Corals that can harm this one if placed too close.

    Take care (10)

    • Hammer coralHammer coral stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the zoanthids out of reach.
    • Frogspawn coralFrogspawn coral stings neighbours; keep the zoanthids out of reach.
    • Torch coralTorch coral stings neighbours; keep the zoanthids out of reach.
    • GalaxeaGalaxea stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the zoanthids out of reach.
    • Horn coralHorn coral stings neighbours; keep the zoanthids out of reach.
    • Fire coral (not Acropora millepora)Fire coral (not Acropora millepora) stings neighbours; keep the zoanthids out of reach.
    • Bubble tip anemoneBubble tip anemone stings neighbours; keep the zoanthids out of reach.
    • Mini maxiMini maxi stings neighbours; keep the zoanthids out of reach.
    • Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant)Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the zoanthids out of reach.
    • Ritteri anemoneRitteri anemone stings neighbours; keep the zoanthids out of reach.

    Invertebrates

    Invertebrates that may nip corals when hungry.

    Take care (3)

    These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

    Pests, dips and quarantine

    Zoa-eating nudibranchs (eggs must be picked off, dips do not remove them), zoa spiders (sea spiders, need tweezers), zoa pox (white spots on stalks, spreads polyp to polyp) typical, check

    Iodine dip on arrival is the common hobby practice; dosing in forums varies widely so follow the product label. Furan-2 is a hobby treatment for zoa pox; an iodine dip is the fallback. Inspect stalks and base with a torch. typical, check

    No dip reliably kills pest eggs, so a dip lowers the risk rather than removing it. Inspect new frags with a torch after lights out, including the underside and the plug.

    Sources

    1. LiveAquaria Zoanthus colony polyp listings (US retailer)Read 21 October 2026, search summary only.
    2. Nano-Reef common zoa pests and treatments threadRead 21 October 2026, search summary only.
    3. PLoS ONE 2011, palytoxin in Palythoa sold in the aquarium trade (US FDA and University of the Ryukyus)Read 21 October 2026, read in full.
    4. CDC MMWR, suspected palytoxin inhalation exposures, Alaska 2012 to 2014, Aug 2015Read 21 October 2026, read in full.
    5. Practical Fishkeeping (UK) news: family hospitalised after boiling zoanthids (date not shown)Read 21 October 2026, read in full.
    6. Charterhouse Aquatics (UK) lighting guide, 1 Jun 2026Read 21 October 2026, read in full.

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    Palythoa

    Palythoa spp.

    Care
    Beginner
    Light
    Low
    Flow
    Medium
    Neighbours
    Spreads or stings mildly

    Photo Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Mushroom coral

    Discosoma spp. (corallimorph)

    Care
    Beginner
    Light
    Low
    Flow
    Low
    Neighbours
    Peaceful

    Photo Kevmin, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Hairy mushroom

    Rhodactis spp.

    Care
    Beginner
    Light
    Low
    Flow
    Low
    Neighbours
    Spreads or stings mildly

    Photo Haplochromis, Public domain

    Florida ricordea

    Ricordea florida

    Care
    Beginner
    Light
    Low
    Flow
    Low
    Neighbours
    Peaceful

    Photo Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0