This months COTM is Zoanthids/Palythoa. There seems to be many questions going around about them, so I decided to have this months coral be zoas and palys. These corals come in many different colors and sizes. There is very little difference in requirements between palys and zoas. The main difference is the size of the individual polyp. Usually the Palythoa polyps are much larger as opposed to the smaller zoanthid polyps.
Lighting- Both can take high or low lighting. Low being as far down as a low wattage PC, and high being near the top with MH's. These species can get too much light and it will have a negative effect. Ideally they should be low-mid tank with halides and mid-top with PC's.
Waterflow- Both like bursts of strong flow, but not constant strong flow. They do best with just bursts. You will also notice the skirts on the polyps extend further with bursts of water flow.
Feeding- These corals do not require feeding but do benefit from it. They get most of their food from the light over the tank. They will accept Cyclops-eeze if put on the individual polyp.
Multiplication- They multiply by putting up new sprouts at the base of an existing polyp. As they multiply there is different color variations of the same zoanthid or palythoa that will come up. They spread very fast almost like a weed, but these would have to be the prettiest weeds I have ever seen!
Difficulty- These are very easy corals to keep, being very hardy they are difficult to kill.
Pests- There are a few pests you would want to watch out for when keeping this species. One is the Zoa eating Nudibranch, and the box snail.
Zoa Eating Nudi
Box Snail
Colors- These corals come in HUGE variety of colors, you can pretty much find any color as long as you are willing to pay for it.
Chemicals Needed- These corals need a correct level of Iodine and benefit from other trace elements.
Feel free to post your pictures/ask questions/add insight to keeping this coral/ and add your suggestions!
Matt