Stargazer Paly Care Guide
Stargazer is a designer Palythoa morph with a blue-purple skirt and bright orange center; a photosynthetic zoanthid that contains palytoxin.
Overview
Stargazer is an aquacultured colour morph of Palythoa with a blue-purple skirt and a bright orange center. As a Palythoa it is a colonial zoanthid with polyps embedded in an encrusting tissue mat, and it is zooxanthellate, powered mainly by photosynthesis.
Taxonomy
- Order: Zoantharia
- Family: Sphenopidae
- Genus: Palythoa
- Scientific name: Palythoa sp. 'Stargazer' (aquarium trade morph; not a formal species)
Biology
Like other Palythoa it forms encrusting colonies, spreading polyp by polyp across rock. This morph is aquacultured and grown chiefly for its colour contrast.
Reef tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity (dKH): 8-11
- Calcium: 380-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Lighting: 75-175 PAR (medium)
- Flow: low
- Recommended tank maturity: about 3 months
Care
Stargazer is rated beginner-friendly under medium light and gentle flow, with gradual light acclimation. Although photosynthetic, it benefits from occasional fine feeding such as amino acids or fine reef foods. Stable water chemistry supports good colour and polyp extension.
Compatibility
It is peaceful and reef-safe with fish and shrimp. Leave space around the colony, as it can spread over slower neighbours.