{"product_id":"super-sunflower-zoanthids-mini-colonies","title":"Super Sunflower Zoanthids Mini-Colonies","description":"\u003ch1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eSuper Sunflower Zoanthids WYSIWYG Mini-Colonies (\u003cem\u003eZoanthus\u003c\/em\u003e sp.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuper Sunflower Zoanthids\u003c\/strong\u003e are a vibrant zoanthid variety prized for their bright, contrasting coloration and distinctive flower-like polyp appearance. The polyps typically develop a colorful combination of warm yellow, orange, and red tones around the oral disc, often contrasted by a darker or differently colored center. Under blue-heavy reef lighting, their fluorescent pigments can become particularly pronounced, giving the colony a bright, high-contrast appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the colony grows, Super Sunflower Zoanthids spread laterally by producing new polyps around the established colony, gradually forming a dense mat across suitable rockwork. Their compact growth habit and vivid coloration make them an excellent option for adding concentrated color to a reef without taking up the space of a large LPS or SPS colony. These \u003cstrong\u003eWYSIWYG mini-colonies are the exact colonies pictured\u003c\/strong\u003e, so customers can see the actual polyp count, size, coloration, and development before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eZoanthus\u003c\/em\u003e sp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Super Sunflower Zoanthids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to Moderate, approximately \u003cstrong\u003e50–150 PAR\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to Moderate — gentle, variable flow that allows the polyps to open and move naturally\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lower to Middle aquarium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-Aggressive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mat-forming, spreading colony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Primarily photosynthetic; supplemental feeding is optional but beneficial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement \u0026amp; Flow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlace Super Sunflower Zoanthids on stable rockwork or a dedicated frag island where they have room to spread. \u003cstrong\u003eGentle to moderate, indirect flow\u003c\/strong\u003e is ideal, providing enough circulation to prevent detritus from accumulating between polyps while still allowing full polyp extension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZoanthids can spread efficiently once established and may eventually compete with slower-growing corals for available space. Keeping the colony on an isolated rock or designated zoanthid garden is a good way to control its growth and maintain separation from neighboring corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid placing the colony directly in the path of a powerful wavemaker. The ideal flow should allow the polyps to gently move while remaining fully extended for much of the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSafety Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zoanthids and palythoa-type corals may contain \u003cstrong\u003epalytoxin\u003c\/strong\u003e. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging them, avoid contact with open cuts, and never boil, burn, or aerosolize the coral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLighting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuper Sunflower Zoanthids generally perform well under \u003cstrong\u003e50–150 PAR\u003c\/strong\u003e. Moderate lighting is usually sufficient for maintaining healthy growth and coloration, although individual colonies can adapt to somewhat different intensities when properly acclimated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a newly introduced WYSIWYG mini-colony, start toward the lower end of the recommended range if its previous lighting is unknown and \u003cstrong\u003eincrease intensity gradually\u003c\/strong\u003e. Sudden exposure to substantially stronger lighting can cause stress and temporary changes in coloration or polyp extension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue-heavy reef lighting can significantly enhance the fluorescent appearance of the brighter pigments, while a more balanced spectrum will provide a better representation of the coral's overall coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuper Sunflower Zoanthids are \u003cstrong\u003eprimarily photosynthetic\u003c\/strong\u003e, receiving much of their energy from their symbiotic algae. Direct feeding is not required when they receive suitable lighting and are maintained in stable reef conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupplemental feeding can provide additional nutrition and may encourage continued growth. When the polyps are fully open, occasional offerings of \u003cstrong\u003efine powdered coral foods, phytoplankton, or very small zooplankton-based foods\u003c\/strong\u003e can be used. Feed sparingly and maintain appropriate nutrient export.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuper Sunflower Zoanthids are an excellent choice for reef keepers looking to add vibrant color and movement to a zoanthid collection. These WYSIWYG mini-colonies provide an established group of developed polyps with a compact spreading growth habit, making them an easy way to introduce a bold, colorful accent to an established reef aquarium.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Island Reef Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48643161981122,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0771\/3354\/5666\/files\/SuperSunflowerZoanthidsWYSIWYGMini-Colonies_99.99.png?v=1787212885","url":"https:\/\/islandreefaquatics.com\/products\/super-sunflower-zoanthids-mini-colonies","provider":"Island Reef Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}