Pulchellus Zoa Care Guide
Pulchellus Zoa is a hardy, photosynthetic Zoanthus colony for reef aquaria. Easy to keep and fast-spreading, but colonies may carry palytoxin and require careful handling.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Caribbean Zoanthus species often featuring contrasting orange-yellow rings and green centers. Zoanthus are colonial anthozoans (often called "button polyps" or "zoas") whose polyps spread to encrust rock with brightly coloured patterns. Their vivid colours come in part from green-fluorescent-protein-like pigments.
Taxonomy
- Family: Zoanthidae
- Order: Zoantharia
- Genus: Zoanthus
- Scientific name: Zoanthus pulchellus
- Authority: Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860 (accepted, WoRMS AphiaID 288840)
Habitat
Wild colonies of Zoanthus pulchellus occur on shallow reefs in the Caribbean. Aquarium specimens are mostly aquacultured fragments grown on plugs or rubble.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 degrees C
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 specific gravity
- Alkalinity: 8-11 dKH
- Calcium: 380-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Lighting: 50-150 PAR (medium), at least 8-12 hours per day
- Flow: low to moderate
- Suggested minimum tank maturity: 3 months
Feeding and lighting
Zoanthus obtain most of their energy from photosynthesis carried out by symbiotic zooxanthellae, so stable lighting is the priority. They can be target-fed about twice weekly with fine phytoplankton or zooplankton and amino acids using a pipette or turkey baster, although supplemental feeding is optional. They are rated among the hardiest, most beginner-friendly corals and tolerate parameter fluctuations.
Placement and compatibility
These passive zoas lack stinging tentacles that threaten neighbours and are considered reef-safe, shrimp-safe and fish-safe. Reef Builders recommends moderate to higher flow to prevent fungal or detritus problems on the mat. Colonies spread quickly by budding, so leave space around them. Reported growth is roughly 0.5-1.2 cm per month under good conditions.
Zoanthus pulchellus Propagation Guide
Overview
Zoanthus pulchellus is a zoanthid of the family Zoanthidae and the genus Zoanthus, described by Duchassaing and Michelotti in 1860. Like other Zoanthus, it forms colonial mats of button polyps connected by a stolon, and it is one of the colourful encrusting species that can cover a rock with bright circular patterns. It is a Caribbean species.
Reproductive Mode
As a colonial Zoanthus, this species spreads asexually as polyps bud from the connecting stolon mat, and aquarium propagation is based on dividing that mat.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Using a razor blade, cut the tissue of the connecting mat around the polyps to be removed, then trace the line with coral cutters so the section breaks free. Glue the piece onto a clean, dried frag plug and use a baster to blow away secreted mucus. Polyps that come away without substrate can be set on chunky sand in low flow, where they will encrust over time.
Conditions for Propagation
Like its relatives, this zoanthid is photosynthetic through symbiotic zooxanthellae, so fresh frags settle best in low flow under the lighting and water parameters recorded for this species in the knowledge base, attaching as the polyps reopen and the mat resumes spreading.
Common Challenges
The principal hazard is palytoxin, one of the most poisonous non-protein substances known, carried by Zoanthus zoanthids. Exposure can occur through skin contact, the eyes, and inhalation of aerosols when polyps are disturbed; documented aquarium incidents include severe respiratory illness from scraping zoanthids and hospitalizations during coral removal.