{"product_id":"gold-lion-eyes-zoanthids-pea-f-oc2902","title":"Gold Lion Eyes Zoanthids","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"description\" itemprop=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGold Lion Eyes Zoanthids, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZoanthus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, are brightly colored colonial polyps prized for their vivid concentric patterns and ability to form dense, eye-catching mats across reef rockwork. This specimen displays brilliant orange to gold skirts surrounding deep burgundy-brown oral discs with intense red to magenta centers, creating a bold multicolor appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZoanthids grow as individual fleshy polyps connected by a shared mat of tissue. Each polyp has a central mouth surrounded by a flat oral disc and a ring of short tentacles forming the characteristic “skirt.” As the colony becomes established, new polyps can develop from the connecting tissue and gradually spread across nearby rock surfaces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Gold Lion Eyes coloration is especially striking under blue-rich reef aquarium lighting. The warm orange-gold outer skirts contrast strongly with the darker inner discs and vivid red centers, producing the dramatic concentric pattern that gives this variety its distinctive appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZoanthus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e species contain symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide much of their nutritional energy. They can also capture very small suspended food particles from the water column. Stable water conditions, moderate lighting, and gentle to moderate water movement generally support good polyp extension, coloration, and colony growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause ornamental zoanthid trade names describe color morphs rather than scientifically distinct species, exact species identification cannot be made reliably from coloration or external appearance alone. For this specimen, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZoanthus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is the most scientifically responsible identification.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Guide:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZoanthus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Zoanthids\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Easy to Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLighting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Low to Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Low to Moderate, indirect and variable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lower to middle areas of the aquarium depending on lighting intensity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Semi-aggressive through growth and spreading; provide space from slower-growing neighboring corals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Reef safe with appropriate placement\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Primarily photosynthetic; may also capture very small planktonic and particulate foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Colonial polyps connected by a shared mat of tissue that can spread across hard substrate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maintain stable reef aquarium temperature and salinity with reasonably stable alkalinity and nutrient levels. Avoid rapid changes in water chemistry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial Considerations:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Zoanthids can spread onto nearby rockwork as the colony expands. Moderate water movement helps prevent debris from settling between polyps. Handle zoanthids carefully and avoid contact with eyes, mouth, or broken skin because some zoanthids may contain palytoxin or related compounds. Wearing gloves and eye protection when cutting or handling colonies is recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Pacific East Aquaculture, Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67909837193449,"sku":"F OC2902","price":149.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2133\/7655\/files\/gold-lion-eyes-zoanthids-soft-premium-frags-pea-F-oc2902.jpg?v=1794240909","url":"https:\/\/pacificeastaquaculture.com\/products\/gold-lion-eyes-zoanthids-pea-f-oc2902","provider":"Pacific East Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}