Sea Mat Zoa (Zoanthus sociatus) Care Guide
Zoanthus sociatus is a hardy encrusting zoanthid forming dense, colourful polyp mats, popular but a producer of toxic palytoxin.
Overview
Zoanthus sociatus is a colonial zoanthid in the family Zoanthidae, known in the hobby as sea mat or zoas. It forms dense encrusting mats that can completely cover rock with brightly coloured circular polyps. The genus contains fluorescent-protein pigments, and many colour morphs of this species are available in the trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Zoanthidae
- Order: Zoantharia
- Class: Hexacorallia
- Scientific name: Zoanthus sociatus
Habitat
Zoanthids occur on shallow reefs in the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific, where they encrust hard substrate. They are hardy and well suited to mature reef aquaria as a beginner coral.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 C (75-79 F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (KH): 8-11 dKH
- Calcium: 380-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Lighting: ~50-150 PAR (medium)
- Flow: low
- Minimum tank maturity: 3 months
Feeding
The coral is photosynthetic, deriving most of its energy from symbiotic zooxanthellae. It can also capture fine particulate foods, and supplemental amino acids or reef coral foods may support colour and growth.
Compatibility
It is passive and reef-safe, compatible with fish and shrimp. As a fast-spreading mat coral it should be given its own rock to limit overgrowth of neighbours.