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.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Scrambled Eggs Zoa Propagation Guide
Overview
Scrambled Eggs is a yellow-to-orange hobby color morph of the genus Zoanthus (family Zoanthidae). Like all Zoanthus, it forms colonies of button-like polyps connected by a shared mat of tissue, and individual polyps cannot be moved without dividing that mat. The colony is photosynthetic and, given stable reef parameters, spreads readily over rock, which is what makes Zoanthus one of the easier corals to multiply in captivity.
Reproductive Mode
In aquaria, named Zoanthus morphs are increased almost exclusively by asexual means. New polyps bud from the connecting stolon tissue, so an established colony slowly expands outward across available substrate. Hobby propagation simply harvests sections of this clonal growth rather than relying on sexual reproduction, which preserves the morph's color identity.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Reef Builders describes the standard manual method: slice the tissue around the polyps you want with a razor blade, then trace that line with coral cutters so the section breaks free, cutting as close to the base as possible. When the polyps sit on a plug or disc the cut leaves a solid surface that is easy to glue.
- Wear gloves and eye protection before any out-of-water work.
- Score the stolon mat between polyps with a fresh razor blade.
- Trace the cut with coral cutters until the frag separates near the base.
- Dry the plug and the underside of the frag, add a small amount of glue, and press the frag on gently.
- Return the frag, baster off secreted 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 has been documented in both Palythoa and Zoanthus species, and aquarists have been poisoned handling colonies at home. There is no antidote, so prevention through protective equipment is the only reliable safeguard during propagation.
Common Challenges
Excess glue smeared onto the polyp skirt, deep cuts that damage internal polyp structures, and unstable parameters that keep polyps closed are the usual reasons frags stall. Use minimal glue, cut cleanly near the base, and hold water chemistry steady until new polyps appear.