Zoanthids

266 Zoanthids for sale, including Rasta, AOI and Fire and Ice zoa frags

Zoanthids and Palythoas are among the most colorful and fast-growing corals in reef-keeping. Whether you're building a mixed reef, starting your first tank, or curating a collector Zoa garden, these soft corals offer incredible variety, adaptability, and ea... Read more Show less

At Top Shelf Aquatics, we grow and maintain a wide range of Zoanthid coral and Palythoa morphs in-house under stable conditions designed to support healthy growth and vibrant coloration. Each frag is fully healed and carefully assessed for polyp behavior, base integrity, and coloration before it’s listed for sale. From ultra-bright collector pieces to beginner-friendly zoas, our selection is ideal for reefers at any level.

While Zoanthids are generally easy to handle, some species can release palytoxin when stressed or fragged, so we recommend wearing gloves when working with them out of water. Each product page includes care notes and lighting guidance to help you choose and grow your zoa garden with confidence.

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Popular live coral picks

Compare Popular Zoanthid Corals

Compare our most popular live corals by care level, lighting, flow, growth, placement, and temperament — from beginner-friendly softies to advanced SPS.

Scrambled Eggs Zoanthids Coral

Starting at $44.99

Care Level: Easy
Flow: Moderate
Lighting: Low–Moderate
Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Low–Mid
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-aggressive

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AOI Zoanthids Coral

Starting at $59.99

Care Level: Easy
Flow: Moderate
Lighting: Low–Moderate
Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Low–Mid
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-aggressive

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Fire and Ice Zoanthids Coral

Starting at $59.99

Care Level: Easy
Flow: Moderate
Lighting: Low–Moderate
Growth rate: Moderate
Placement: Mid–Low
Temperament: Semi-aggressive

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Rasta Zoanthids Coral

Starting at $64.99

Care Level: Easy
Flow: Moderate
Lighting: Low–Moderate
Growth rate: Slow
Placement: Low–Mid
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-aggressive

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Answers

Zoanthid FAQs

Are zoanthid corals a good choice for beginner reef tanks?

Yes. Zoanthids and Palythoa are among the most beginner-friendly corals you can buy. They tolerate a wide range of water parameters, adapt to most reef lighting, and grow quickly in a stable system, so you see results fast. Give them moderate flow and a rock of their own, because a healthy colony will spread onto anything nearby. Start with a few hardy, aquacultured morphs, since some high-end morphs grow and color best only with steady nutrients and consistent light. Wear gloves and eye protection when you handle or frag them, because some zoanthids, and especially Palythoa, can contain palytoxin.

What lighting and flow do Zoanthids prefer?

Most Zoanthids do well under moderate to high light (PAR 100–250), depending on the morph. Some of the brighter, more fluorescent varieties benefit from higher light intensity and may show more vibrant coloration under blue-spectrum lighting.

Flow should be moderate and varied—strong enough to keep detritus from settling on the colony, but not so intense that the polyps stay closed. If you're unsure, start lower in the tank and gradually move the frag upward over time.

Do Zoanthids contain palytoxin? Are they safe to handle?

Some Zoanthids and especially Palythoas may contain palytoxin, a naturally occurring compound that can be harmful if handled improperly. While the risk is low during everyday tank maintenance, we strongly recommend wearing gloves and eye protection when fragging, cutting, or handling large colonies outside the water.

Never expose them to extreme stress like drying out, crushing, or boiling, and always wash your hands thoroughly after contact. With proper handling, Zoas and Palys are perfectly safe and rewarding to keep.

How fast do Zoanthids grow, and will they take over my tank?

Zoanthids are known for their fast growth and ability to spread across rocks and substrate. In a healthy tank, many morphs will double or triple in size within months. While this makes them a favorite for creating dense Zoa gardens, it's important to give them space—or isolate them if you want to control their spread.

We recommend mounting them on isolated rocks or islands if you're mixing them with slower-growing corals. Regular pruning or fragging can help maintain boundaries and keep your reef balanced.

What should I look for when buying Zoanthids online?

When shopping for Zoanthids or Palythoas, it's important to look beyond just color. A healthy frag should have fully opened polyps, firm tissue around the base, and no signs of melting, detachment, or pest activity. Photos should accurately reflect the coral's actual appearance under normal reef lighting—ideally without filters or saturation edits.

At Top Shelf Aquatics, we maintain our zoas and palys in stable, long-term systems that mimic the conditions of modern reef tanks. Every frag is fully healed, colored up, and held long enough to assess growth and behavior before shipping. We're focused not just on appearance, but on long-term success after it arrives in your tank.

Live coral buying guide

Choosing zoanthids for color, growth, and placement

Zoanthids are colonial polyps available in a wide range of color patterns, polyp sizes, and growth rates. When planning a zoanthid garden, choose a mix that will remain visually distinct under the same lighting and nutrient conditions. Fast-growing varieties can cover open rock quickly, while slower collector morphs may benefit from their own plug or isolated section so they are not overtaken.

Look at the colony as well as the name. Healthy polyps should have intact skirts, firm tissue around the base, and a consistent opening response once settled. Newly shipped zoanthids may remain closed while they adjust, but the frag should be inspected for loose tissue, damaged polyps, nuisance algae, and hitchhiking pests before it enters the display.

Lighting and water flow

Many zoanthids adapt to moderate reef lighting, but the best intensity depends on the morph and the conditions in which it was grown. Start a new frag lower or in a partially shaded position if its previous light level is unknown. Move it gradually over several days or weeks rather than making a large jump that can cause prolonged closure or loss of color.

Use enough varied flow to keep debris from settling between polyps without forcing the colony to stay closed. A gentle, changing current usually works better than a direct pump stream. If detritus accumulates, improve circulation or lightly clear the colony with aquarium water during maintenance. Stable exposure is more important than constantly moving the frag in search of a minor color change.

Water chemistry and nutrients

Zoanthids are often described as forgiving, but they still respond best to stable salinity, temperature, alkalinity, and nutrient levels. Rapid corrections can be more stressful than a reading that is slightly outside a preferred range. Test consistently, make changes in measured steps, and judge the colony over time rather than reacting to one day of reduced extension.

Ultra-low nutrients are not required for every zoanthid system. A reef with measurable nitrate and phosphate may support strong color and growth when algae is controlled and the parameters remain stable. Excess nutrients can encourage film algae and irritate the colony, while stripping nutrients too aggressively can reduce color or slow growth. Balance feeding, export, and water changes around the needs of the full aquarium.

Feeding, growth, and spacing

Zoanthids receive energy from light and dissolved nutrients, and many also capture fine foods. Target feeding is optional rather than mandatory. If you feed, use small particles and avoid coating the colony with more food than it can capture. Observe the aquarium’s nutrient response and adjust instead of following a fixed schedule.

Plan for expansion before attaching a frag permanently. A zoanthid island can keep fast growers away from slower corals and make pruning easier. On shared rockwork, leave room around neighboring LPS and SPS colonies. Remove encroaching polyps with appropriate protective equipment rather than allowing colonies to grow into coral tissue or shaded crevices where maintenance becomes difficult.

Handling zoanthids safely

Some zoanthids and closely related palythoas can contain palytoxin. Wear gloves and eye protection when cutting, scraping, or handling colonies outside the aquarium, and work in a well-ventilated area. Never boil live rock or expose zoanthids to hot water or steam. Wash tools and hands after handling, keep the work area away from food, and prevent pets or children from contacting discarded tissue or water.

Routine viewing and normal aquarium maintenance are different from cutting a colony, but sensible protection is still worthwhile whenever tissue may be damaged. If you are unsure about fragging, leave the colony intact or ask an experienced reef professional for help. Safe handling protects the aquarist without changing the appeal of zoanthids as colorful, adaptable reef animals.