Candy Apple Zoanthus (Zoanthus spp. – Vibrant Green with Orange Highlights)
Quick Stats
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Care Level: Easy
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Temperament: Peaceful
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Colour Form: Bright green centers with orange highlights extending outward, often surrounded by a contrasting purple skirt.
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Water Conditions: 24-28°C, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
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Family: Zoanthidae
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Lighting: Moderate
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Supplements: Amino Acids, Trace Elements, Iodine
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Water Flow: Moderate
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Placement: Middle to Lower Levels
Overview
The Candy Apple Zoanthus is known for its striking appearance, with vivid green centers that are accented by bright orange highlights. These colorful polyps are often surrounded by a contrasting purple skirt, adding a beautiful pop of color to any reef tank. The vibrant hues are especially stunning under actinic or blue lighting, giving the zoanthid a glowing, almost ethereal quality.
This zoanthid’s unique coloration makes it an eye-catching choice for reef enthusiasts, and its relatively easy care requirements make it suitable for hobbyists of all experience levels.
Care & Feeding
The Candy Apple Zoanthus is a hardy coral that thrives in a range of water conditions. Moderate lighting and water flow are ideal to enhance the colors and encourage healthy polyp extension. While it gets most of its nutrients through photosynthesis, supplementing its diet with occasional feedings of reef-specific micro foods (like reef roids or zooplankton) can boost growth and intensify its colors.
Optimal Parameters
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Alkalinity (dKH): 8-12
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Calcium (Ca): 400-450 ppm
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Magnesium (Mg): 1250-1350 ppm
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Nitrate (NO3): 1-10 ppm
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Phosphate (PO4): 0.01-0.05 ppm
Placement
Position the Candy Apple Zoanthus in the middle to lower areas of your aquarium where lighting and water flow are moderate. Ensure they are not placed in areas with strong water flow, as this could damage the delicate polyps.
🟢🍏 A Beautiful Addition
With its vivid green centers and contrasting hues, the Candy Apple Zoanthus brings a burst of color to any reef. Its stunning appearance and easy care requirements make it an essential coral for any aquarium.