Gorilla Nipple Zoanthids Coral
Gorilla Nipple Zoanthids Coral
Buy now, pay later
Split your purchase into smaller payments with the provider you prefer. Pick your plan at checkout.
Checking out with Shop Pay? The Shop Pay screen only offers Shop Pay Installments. To pay with PayPal, Klarna, or Affirm, select Check out as guest to see every payment option, or use the PayPal button in your cart.
Shop Pay Installments
- 4 interest-free payments every 2 weeks on orders from $50 to $999.99
- 2 interest-free payments on orders from $35 to $50
- Monthly plans on orders from $150
- Check out with Shop Pay, then choose an installment plan
Payment options are offered by Affirm and are subject to an eligibility check and might not be available in all states. Monthly plans may include interest (0–36% APR). CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lender license.
Learn more about Shop Pay Installments
PayPal Pay Later
- Pay in 4: 4 interest-free payments every 2 weeks on purchases from $30 to $1,500
- Pay Monthly: 3 to 24 monthly payments on purchases from $49 to $10,000
- Select PayPal in your cart or at checkout, then choose Pay Later
Pay in 4 is available to consumers upon approval and is not currently available to residents of MO. Pay Monthly is subject to consumer credit approval, with a fixed APR of 9.99–35.99%. The lender for Pay in 4 is PayPal, Inc. (NMLS #910457). The lender for Pay Monthly is WebBank.
Learn more about PayPal Pay Later
Klarna
- Pay in 4: 4 interest-free payments every 2 weeks on orders of $35 or more
- No interest or fees when you pay on time
- Choose Klarna as your payment method at checkout
Klarna Pay in 4 is subject to approval and isn't available in Hawaii, U.S. territories (excluding Puerto Rico), or for APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Late fees may apply.
Learn more about Klarna
Affirm
- Pay in 4: 4 interest-free payments every 2 weeks on eligible orders from $50
- Monthly plans with rates from 0–36% APR based on credit
- No late fees or hidden fees
- Choose Affirm as your payment method at checkout
Payment options through Affirm are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. Your rate will be 0–36% APR based on credit and is subject to an eligibility check. Affirm Pay in 4 is 0% APR. Options depend on your purchase amount and may vary by merchant. A down payment may be required. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law license.
Learn more about AffirmGrow your Gorilla Nipple Zoanthids with:
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 parametersTemp76–80°FSalinity1.025–1.026pH8.1–8.4Alkalinity8–10 dKHCalcium400–450 ppmMagnesium1250–1350 ppm
- Flow
- Shop live corals by flow: Moderate–High Flow Moderate–High Moderate to strong, varied flow. Keeps the coral clean and supports healthy growth.
- Lighting
- Shop live corals by lighting: Low–Moderate Lighting Low–Moderate Low to moderate light, roughly 100–200 PAR. Lower to middle rockwork.
- 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: Moderate Growth Rate Moderate Grows at a steady pace in stable conditions. Leave a little room around it.
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive(fast mat growth; 2–4 inches spacing) Temperament Semi-aggressive Gorilla Nipples Zoanthids Coral (Zoanthus sp.) is generally easygoing and co-exists well with other Zoanthus in “zoa gardens,” but it can spread quickly and shade neighbors.
- Feeding
- Photosyntheticphytoplankton, zooplankton, rotifers, copepod nauplii, microplankton, powdered coral foods (e.g., Reef-Roids), marine snow Feeding Photosynthetic Gorilla Nipples Zoanthids Coral (Zoanthus sp.) is primarily photosynthetic, hosting symbiotic algae (algae living in the coral) that supply most of its energy, so feeding is optional but helpful for faster growth and richer color. Feed 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.
