Super Sunflower Zoanthids WYSIWYG Mini-Colonies (Zoanthus sp.)

Super Sunflower Zoanthids 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.

As 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 WYSIWYG mini-colonies are the exact colonies pictured, so customers can see the actual polyp count, size, coloration, and development before purchasing.

Recommended Care

• Scientific Name: Zoanthus sp.
• Common Name: Super Sunflower Zoanthids
• Care Level: Easy
• Lighting: Low to Moderate, approximately 50–150 PAR
• Water Flow: Low to Moderate — gentle, variable flow that allows the polyps to open and move naturally
• Placement: Lower to Middle aquarium
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
• Growth Form: Mat-forming, spreading colony
• Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic; supplemental feeding is optional but beneficial

Placement & Flow

Place Super Sunflower Zoanthids on stable rockwork or a dedicated frag island where they have room to spread. Gentle to moderate, indirect flow is ideal, providing enough circulation to prevent detritus from accumulating between polyps while still allowing full polyp extension.

Zoanthids 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.

Avoid 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.

Safety Note: 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

Super Sunflower Zoanthids generally perform well under 50–150 PAR. Moderate lighting is usually sufficient for maintaining healthy growth and coloration, although individual colonies can adapt to somewhat different intensities when properly acclimated.

For a newly introduced WYSIWYG mini-colony, start toward the lower end of the recommended range if its previous lighting is unknown and increase intensity gradually. Sudden exposure to substantially stronger lighting can cause stress and temporary changes in coloration or polyp extension.

Blue-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.

Feeding

Super Sunflower Zoanthids are primarily photosynthetic, 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.

Supplemental feeding can provide additional nutrition and may encourage continued growth. When the polyps are fully open, occasional offerings of fine powdered coral foods, phytoplankton, or very small zooplankton-based foods can be used. Feed sparingly and maintain appropriate nutrient export.

Super 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.