Local Key West Zoanthid Colony (15–20 Polyps)

Description

You are buying the exact coral in the photo. This is a colony of 15 to 20 polyps of a Zoanthid morph we collected right here in the Florida Keys, and it is a new one for us. In all our time diving and collecting in the Keys, this is the first colony of this morph we have ever found. It does not have a trade name, so it is listed as what it is: a local Key West Zoa you will not find on anyone else’s frag rack.

Under blue spectrum reef lighting, each polyp has a bright neon green eye ringed around a pale blue center. The face is a deep blue, and the skirt is teal-blue with neon green tips that frame every polyp. We have had this colony in our Key West systems for about 60 days, and it has gained more color every week. The green keeps getting brighter and the skirts keep filling in.

About Zoanthids (Zoanthus sp.)

Zoanthids are colonial polyps that grow into a carpet of color over rock. They are one of the easiest corals to keep, they spread steadily under good conditions, and new morphs are what collectors chase. Most Zoas in the hobby trace back to a handful of named lines. A wild Keys morph that has already settled into captive conditions for two months is a rare chance to start a line of your own.

Care Guide

Easy care. Zoanthids reward stable water and moderate light with steady growth and deeper color.

• Lighting: Medium — PAR 100–250. Start lower and move it up over a couple of weeks.
• Flow: Medium — enough to keep detritus off the polyps.
• Placement: Anywhere on the rockwork. Give it room, because it will spread.
• Feeding: Low to medium — it lives mostly on light, and benefits from occasional fine plankton or reef roids.
• Aggression: Peaceful, but it will grow over neighbors in its path.
• Water Parameters: Temp 76–78°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, Alk 8–9 dKH, Ca 420–440, Mg 1300–1400. Stability matters more than exact numbers.

Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee

Livestock ships Tuesday or Wednesday by UPS Next Day Air from Key West, Florida. Packed in an insulated box with a heat or cold pack matched to current conditions, and secured so the specimen cannot move in transit.

• Qualifying Florida livestock shipments under 6 lb: $30.
• All other eligible lower-48 livestock shipments: $50.
• Box & handling: $10 per livestock box, in addition to the transportation charge above.
• Maximum estimated packed weight is 6 lb (96 oz) per box. Orders that pack heavier ship in additional boxes, and each additional box carries its own $10 box & handling charge.
• Free livestock transportation begins at $349 in qualifying livestock subtotal. WYSIWYG livestock counts toward that subtotal; dry goods do not.
• The $10-per-box charge still applies on free-transportation orders unless checkout explicitly waives it.
• We do not ship orders of any kind to Alaska or Hawaii.

Live arrival is guaranteed. If your animal arrives DOA, photograph it inside the unopened bag within four (4) hours of delivery confirmation and contact us right away with those photos. We will work with you on a resolution.

Placement: Anywhere on the rockwork in medium light and medium flow, with open space around it to spread.