Magician Zoanthid WYSIWYG (Zoanthus sp.)

The Magician Zoanthid is a classic zoanthid variety known for its distinctive combination of deep, dark coloration and contrasting ring patterns. The polyps typically feature a darker central area surrounded by a vibrant contrasting ring, creating a clean, high-contrast appearance as the colony opens. Under blue-heavy reef lighting, the fluorescent pigments can become especially pronounced, giving the polyps additional depth and visual contrast.

Magician Zoanthids grow by producing new polyps along their mat, gradually forming a dense colony when established. Their compact growth form makes them well suited for frag racks, zoanthid gardens, or dedicated areas of live rock. This is a WYSIWYG specimen, so the exact colony pictured is the coral you will receive, including its current polyp count, size, coloration, and development.

Recommended Care

• Scientific Name: Zoanthus sp.
• Common Name: Magician Zoanthid
• Care Level: Easy
• Lighting: Low to Moderate, approximately 50–150 PAR
• Water Flow: Low to Moderate — gentle, indirect flow that keeps the polyps clean while allowing full extension
• Placement: Lower to Middle aquarium
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
• Growth Form: Mat-forming, spreading colony
• Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic; supplemental feeding is beneficial

Placement & Flow

Place Magician Zoanthids on stable rockwork, a frag plug, or a dedicated zoanthid island with enough room for the colony to spread. Their mat can gradually expand onto nearby surfaces, so an isolated rock or designated zoanthid area is useful if you want to keep growth contained.

Provide low to moderate, indirect flow. The polyps should be able to open fully and gently move in the current without being blasted directly by a powerhead. Good circulation also helps prevent detritus from collecting between the polyps.

Allow reasonable space from neighboring corals as the colony develops. Zoanthids can spread efficiently under favorable conditions and may eventually compete with slower-growing corals for available space.

Important: Zoanthids and palythoa-type corals may contain palytoxin. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging them, avoid contact with open cuts, and never boil, burn, or aerosolize the coral.

Lighting

Magician Zoanthids generally perform well under 50–150 PAR. Moderate lighting is usually sufficient for maintaining healthy polyp extension, coloration, and growth.

For a newly introduced WYSIWYG specimen, start toward the lower end of the recommended range if its previous lighting is unknown and acclimate gradually to stronger illumination. Sudden increases in intensity can cause stress or changes in coloration.

Blue-heavy reef lighting can enhance the fluorescent qualities of the contrasting colors, while a more balanced spectrum provides a better representation of the coral's natural appearance.

Feeding

Zoanthus are primarily photosynthetic, obtaining much of their energy from their symbiotic algae. Supplemental feeding is not required but can provide additional nutrition and may support growth in an established reef.

When the polyps are fully open, occasional offerings of fine powdered coral foods, phytoplankton, or very small zooplankton-based foods can be used. Feed lightly and maintain good nutrient export rather than heavily feeding the colony.

Magician Zoanthids are a proven favorite for collectors looking for a high-contrast zoanthid with a distinctive pattern and compact spreading growth habit. This WYSIWYG specimen gives you the exact colony shown, making it an easy way to add bold color and visual definition to a zoanthid garden, frag collection, or established reef aquarium.