Care guide
Caring for zoanthids
- Type
- Soft coral
- Light
- Moderate
- Flow
- Moderate
- Care level
- Easy
Zoanthids are colourful, fast-growing soft corals and a common first coral. Moderate light and flow suit most of them.
Placement
Place them in moderate light and gentle to moderate flow. Polyps that stay closed or stretch out on long stalks usually want less or more light.
Safety
Some zoanthids carry palytoxin. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging them, and never boil rock they've grown on.
Growth and pests
Healthy colonies spread across rock over months. Polyps that stay closed for days can mean pests such as zoanthid-eating nudibranchs or sea spiders; look closely, especially at night, and dip new frags before adding them.
Further reading
General information to help you prepare, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different: ask an experienced vet about yours. Reviewed by PerfectPal on October 13, 2026.