Circus Freak Zoanthids Coral
Circus Freak Zoanthids Coral
SKU: CTOxCircusFreakZ
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Quick Specs
- Care Level
- Shop live corals by care level: Easy Care Level Easy Hardy and forgiving. A great pick for newer reef tanks. Ideal water parametersTemp76–82°FSalinity1.025–1.026pH8.1–8.4Alkalinity8–10 dKHCalcium380–430 ppmMagnesium1250–1350 ppm
- Flow
- Shop live corals by flow: Moderate Flow Moderate Moderate, varied flow that keeps the polyps moving and clears waste from the tissue.
- Lighting
- Shop live corals by lighting: Moderate Lighting Moderate Moderate light, roughly 150–250 PAR. The middle of the rockwork in most reef tanks.
- Placement
- Shop live corals by placement: Low–Mid Placement Low–Mid Lower to middle rockwork. Start low and move it up only if color fades.
- Growth Rate
- Shop live corals by growth rate: Fast Growth Rate Fast Grows quickly in good conditions. Give it room and plan to frag it regularly.
- Temperament
- Peaceful to semi-aggressive(2–3 inches spacing) Temperament Peaceful to semi-aggressive This coral is generally peaceful and co-exists well with other zoanthids and palythoas; give 2–3 inches of space to manage spread.
- Feeding
- Photosynthetic(primary), microplankton, phytoplankton, zooplankton, rotifers, cyclops, powdered coral foods, reef roids, marine snow Feeding Photosynthetic Circus Freak Zoanthids (Zoanthus sp.) are primarily photosynthetic and do well by relying on their symbiotic algae (algae living in the coral), so strong, stable lighting and balanced nutrients support most of their energy needs. Feed lightly 1–2 times per week.
Aquacultured Zoanthids and Palythoa Coral
Zoanthids are among the most popular corals in the reef hobby, admired for fluorescent color, bold patterns, and fast growth. These soft corals form colonial mats of polyps that can carpet rockwork, and varieties such as Rastas, Eagle Eyes, and Pandoras show the group's range. Their adaptability makes zoa coral a favorite for reefers at every experience level.
Zoanthids are closely related to palythoa. The two look similar, but palythoa species tend to have larger polyps and form thicker mats. Palythoa coral care generally follows the same guidance below. We farm and propagate our zoanthids for sale from healthy mother colonies in our Florida aquaculture facility.
Handle With Care: Palytoxin
Some palythoa and zoanthid species can produce palytoxin, a potent toxin that can be harmful to humans and pets. Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling these corals, practice good hygiene afterward, and never expose them to high heat, which can release toxins into the air.
Zoanthid and Palythoa Care at a Glance
| Parameter | Recommended Range |
|---|---|
| Care level | Beginner-friendly and hardy |
| Lighting | Moderate, 75–150 PAR |
| Water flow | Moderate and indirect |
| Temperature | 75–80°F |
| Salinity | 1.024–1.026 |
| Calcium | 380–450 ppm |
| Alkalinity | 8–9.5 dKH |
| Magnesium | 1250–1350 ppm |
| Nitrate | 5–15 ppm |
| Phosphate | <0.10 ppm |
| Origin | Indo-Pacific; aquacultured by Top Shelf Aquatics |
Water Chemistry
Zoanthids tolerate minor parameter fluctuations better than some corals, but stability is still the key to long-term growth and color. Test regularly and make small adjustments.
Lighting
In the wild, zoanthids live in shallow reef flats, lagoons, and rocky outcrops around Indonesia, Fiji, and the Great Barrier Reef, where light is plentiful. In the aquarium they do well across a wide range of lighting, with 75–150 PAR as the ideal. Some varieties handle high light and color up even more under it, but most need a slow transition to avoid stress or bleaching. We grow ours under a combination of EcoTech Marine Radions and metal halides.
Water Flow
Moderate, indirect flow keeps debris off the polyps and delivers nutrients while letting the colony stay open and fully extended. Flow that is too strong can cause polyps to close. We use EcoTech Marine MP pumps, Reef Octopus OCTO Pulse, and Sicce XStream wavemakers to create adjustable flow, and we place colonies where movement is steady but gentle.
What We Feed Our Zoanthids
Zoanthids get most of their energy from symbiotic zooxanthellae, and they also capture dissolved nutrients and fine plankton from the water column. We feed our exclusive Royal Flush phytoplankton blend (Tisochrysis, Rhodomonas, and Tetraselmis), and Reef Roids and Benepets a few times a week also support health and color. Broadcast feed, or lightly target-feed the colony with a turkey baster, and pause flow for about 10–15 minutes so the polyps can feed.
Coloration and Growth
Colors range from neon greens and deep blues to pinks and bright orange zoanthids, often with intricate patterns. Lighting spectrum, water quality, and feeding all influence color. Nutrient-rich foods, amino acids, and trace elements such as iodine and iron support pigmentation. In good conditions, a small frag grows into a dense mat that adds texture and color to open rockwork.
Common Challenges
- Overgrowth: colonies spread quickly and can overrun neighboring corals; trim and place them strategically
- Pests: nudibranchs and zoa-eating spiders are common threats; inspect and dip new additions
- Light sensitivity: acclimate gradually before moving colonies into higher light
- Polyp retraction: excessive flow or debris buildup can keep polyps closed
How We Farm Our Zoanthid Frags
Our team of marine biologists monitors water parameters across more than 30,000 gallons of farmable water volume. We frag healthy mother colonies into manageable pieces, mount each frag on a plug with reef-safe glue or epoxy, and grow them out under Radions and metal halides with dynamic flow.
How to Acclimate Zoanthids and Palythoa
- Temperature: float the bag in your aquarium for 15–20 minutes to equalize temperature.
- Drip acclimation (optional): a precautionary step to introduce your tank water gradually; zoanthids may adapt to your system more slowly with this method.
- Lighting: start the colony in a lower-light area, or reduce intensity, then increase light gradually over 2–3 weeks.
- Placement: glue or epoxy the frag to rockwork or a ledge with moderate, indirect flow, and watch its behavior and color while it adjusts.
