Description

🌸 Zoanthids (Zoas)

Description

• Size: Small polyps (usually 0.5–1 inch in diameter)

• Color: Extremely colorful with a wide variety of patterns (neon greens, oranges, blues, purples)

• Growth Form: Grow tightly together in encrusting mats

• Tentacles: Short, uniform tentacles around the oral disc

• Texture: Generally more delicate and less “fleshy” than palythoas

Behavior

• More sensitive to water changes and light intensity

• Tend to grow slower than palythoas

🌿 Palythoas (Palys)

Description

• Size: Larger polyps (often over 1 inch, up to 2 inches)

• Color: Earthier tones (browns, greens, golds), but some designer palys are vividly colored

• Growth Form: Looser polyp spacing, may form thick mats or stalks

• Tentacles: Often longer, and may have a more irregular appearance

• Texture: Thicker, more leathery or rubbery

Behavior

• Hardier and faster-growing than zoanthids

• Can overgrow other corals if not managed

🧪 Care for Both Zoanthids and Palythoas

Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: Suitable for nano tanks and up

• Lighting: Moderate to high; LED reef lighting is ideal

• Flow: Moderate; avoid blasting them with direct flow

• Placement: Low to middle levels of the rockwork; both will spread over rocks

• Substrate: Not suitable for sand beds—they need hard surfaces to attach

Water Parameters

🍤 Feeding

• Both benefit from supplemental feeding but can survive with only light and good water quality.

• Food Options: Reef roids, powdered coral foods, phytoplankton, rotifers

• Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times per week (optional for growth boost)

⚠️ Caution: Palytoxin Risk

• Palythoas (and some zoanthids) can produce palytoxin, an extremely dangerous neurotoxin.

• Safety Tips:

  • Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging

  • Never expose to hot water or boil (releases airborne toxin)

  • Wash hands thoroughly and avoid touching your face or eyes