Scrambled Eggs Zoa Care Guide
Scrambled Eggs Zoa (Zoanthus sp. 'Scrambled Eggs') is a photosynthetic zoanthid morph kept in reef aquariums under moderate light and low flow; like all zoanthids it may contain palytoxin.
Overview
Scrambled Eggs Zoa (Zoanthus sp. 'Scrambled Eggs') is a bright yellow-orange Zoanthus morph; reported as hardy and quick to spread. 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. 'Scrambled Eggs'
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 0.5-1.2 cm per month. Care difficulty is rated beginner.