Candy Apple Zoanthids Coral Frag

Candy Apple Zoanthids, Zoanthus sp., are colonial zoanthids known for their vivid oral-disc coloration, contrasting skirts, and mat-forming growth. This WYSIWYG coral frag displays bright yellow to lime-green centers surrounded by a strong red ring, with purple to lavender outer tissue and pale yellow-green skirt tips. The sharp contrast between the yellow-green centers, red banding, and purple outer coloration gives this colony the classic Candy Apple appearance under reef aquarium lighting. Zoanthus polyps grow from a shared tissue mat and can gradually spread across adjacent rockwork under favorable conditions. They contain symbiotic zooxanthellae that provide much of their nutritional needs through photosynthesis, while the polyps can also capture suspended organic material and fine particulate foods. Because exact species identification within Zoanthus cannot be reliably determined from external appearance alone, Zoanthus sp. is the most scientifically appropriate designation for this specimen.

Care Guide: Zoanthus sp. generally performs well under low to moderate reef lighting with moderate, indirect water flow. Provide enough circulation to keep debris from settling between the polyps without preventing them from fully opening. Place the frag on stable rockwork with room for the colony to spread. Maintain stable salinity, temperature, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. Zoanthids are primarily photosynthetic but may benefit from dissolved nutrients and occasional fine particulate or planktonic foods. Because zoanthids may contain palytoxin or related compounds, avoid handling damaged tissue with bare hands and use appropriate eye and skin protection when cutting, fragging, or otherwise disturbing the colony.