Acid Trips Zoa Care Guide
Acid Trips Zoa (Zoanthus sp. 'Acid Trips') is a photosynthetic zoanthid morph kept in reef aquariums under moderate light and low flow; like all zoanthids it may contain palytoxin.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Acid Trips Zoa (Zoanthus sp. 'Acid Trips') is a designer Zoanthus morph with a green skirt and a pink-purple centre. Zoanthus, colloquially called button polyps or "zoas", are colonial polyps of the order Zoantharia. They are zooxanthellate corals: they host symbiotic zooxanthellae and obtain most of their energy from photosynthesis, while also exhibiting fluorescent proteins responsible for their bright colours. Trade morph names such as this one are hobbyist designations, not formal scientific taxa.
Taxonomy
- Order: Zoantharia
- Family: Zoanthidae
- Genus: Zoanthus (Lamarck, 1801)
- Trade morph: Zoanthus sp. 'Acid Trips'
Habitat
Wild Zoanthus colonies spread across hard substrate on reefs, often forming brightly coloured mats that can cover a rock. Aquarium specimens of designer morphs are aquacultured rather than wild-collected.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 specific gravity
- Carbonate hardness: 8-11 dKH
- Calcium: 380-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Phosphate: below 0.1 ppm
- Nitrate: below 15 ppm
- Minimum tank maturity: ~3 months
Lighting and flow
Zoanthids do well under low to moderate lighting, with roughly 50-150 PAR suiting this morph. They prefer moderate, indirect water flow that keeps debris off the colony without blasting the polyps flat; this shard lists a low flow requirement. New lighting should be increased gradually to avoid light shock.
Feeding
As a photosynthetic coral it derives its primary nutrition from its zooxanthellae. It can additionally benefit from amino acids and fine particulate reef foods dosed to the water column, though supplemental feeding is optional.
Compatibility and growth
It is passive and lacks aggressive stinging tentacles, and is considered reef-, shrimp- and fish-safe. Reported growth is about 0.3-0.8 cm per month. Care difficulty is rated beginner.
Acid Trips Zoa Propagation Guide
Overview
Acid Trips is a psychedelic Zoanthus morph marked by a green skirt and a pink-to-purple centre. It is a member of the genus Zoanthus (family Zoanthidae) and grows as a colony of button polyps connected by a common tissue mat. Being photosynthetic, the colony slowly spreads across rock when reef parameters are stable, and propagation is achieved by dividing this established growth.
Reproductive Mode
Increase of named morphs like Acid Trips is asexual in captivity. Polyps bud from the connecting stolon and the colony enlarges outward; propagators harvest sections of that clonal sheet. This approach preserves the green skirt and pink-purple centre in daughter colonies.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
As outlined by Reef Builders, score the tissue around the polyps with a razor blade, then follow the line with coral cutters until the piece separates, cutting as close to the base as you can. A frag carried on its plug or disc gives a solid gluing surface and protects the polyps' internal structures.
- Wear gloves and eye protection before any out-of-water work.
- Cut the stolon mat between polyps with a fresh razor blade.
- Trace the line with coral cutters until the frag separates near the base.
- Dry the plug and frag base, add a little glue, and press the frag on gently.
- Return it, blast off mucus with a baster, and let it attach and bud.
Conditions for Propagation
- Lighting: 50-150 PAR (medium)
- Flow: low
- Temperature: 24-26 degC
- pH: 8.1-8.4; salinity 1.024-1.026
- Nitrate below 15 ppm, phosphate below 0.1 ppm
Palytoxin Safety
Palytoxin is recorded in both Zoanthus and Palythoa, and aquarists have been poisoned handling colonies at home. With no antidote available, protective equipment is the only reliable defence while propagating.
Common Challenges
Glue spreading onto the skirt, cuts that injure the polyp interior, and unstable parameters that keep polyps closed are the typical setbacks. Use minimal glue, cut cleanly near the base, and hold water chemistry steady until new polyps appear.