Lemon Drops Zoa Care Guide
Lemon Drops Zoa (Zoanthus sp. 'Lemon Drops') 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
Lemon Drops Zoa (Zoanthus sp. 'Lemon Drops') is a bright yellow Zoanthus morph with a neon-green mouth. 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. 'Lemon Drops'
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 0.4-1.0 cm per month. Care difficulty is rated beginner.
Lemon Drops Zoa Propagation Guide
Overview
Lemon Drops is a bright-yellow Zoanthus morph distinguished by a neon-green mouth at the centre of each polyp. As a member of the genus Zoanthus (family Zoanthidae), it forms colonies of button polyps linked by a shared mat of tissue. The colony is photosynthetic and spreads over rock under stable reef parameters, so increasing it comes down to dividing established clonal growth.
Reproductive Mode
This morph is propagated asexually in the hobby. New polyps bud from the connecting stolon, pushing the colony outward, and fragging simply removes portions of that clonal mat. Reproducing the colony this way preserves the yellow body and green-mouth coloration.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Following Reef Builders, cut the tissue around the target polyps with a razor blade, then trace that line with coral cutters until the section frees, staying as close to the base as possible. Taking the frag with its plug or disc provides a firm gluing surface and shields the polyp interior.
- Wear gloves and eye protection before any out-of-water step.
- Score the stolon mat between polyps with a fresh razor blade.
- Trace the cut with coral cutters until the frag detaches near the base.
- Dry the plug and frag base, add a small dab of glue, and seat the frag gently.
- Return it, baster off mucus, and let it re-anchor and bud new polyps.
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 documented in Zoanthus and Palythoa alike, and hobbyists have been poisoned handling colonies at home. There is no antidote, so disciplined use of protective equipment is the only reliable safeguard during propagation.
Common Challenges
Glue on the polyp skirt, cuts that damage internal structures, and unstable water that keeps polyps closed are the common reasons frags fail to take. Use as little glue as possible, cut cleanly near the base, and keep parameters steady until new polyps form.