Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
The Green Palythoa or Zoanthid Coral (Palythoa sp. or Zoanthus sp.), commonly called Green Button Polyps, is an exceptionally hardy and fast-growing colonial soft coral featuring flat oral discs fringed with short, delicate tentacles. Highly favored for its rapid growth and ability to form vibrant neon green mats across bare rockwork, it is incredibly resilient against suboptimal water parameters, making it a staple choice for beginner aquarists.
Tank Requirements
Lighting: Low to high (30–250 PAR); highly adaptable, though moderate lighting yields the best balance of rapid polyp splitting and bright fluorescent coloration.
Water Flow: Moderate; requires a steady current to keep detritus from settling between the tight clusters of polyps without forcing them to stay closed.
Temperature: 72°F – 78°F (22°C – 26°C).
Salinity (Specific Gravity): 1.023 – 1.025.
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.4.
Care and Feeding
Placement: Low to middle sections of the aquarium, ideally mounted on an isolated "island" rock structure to prevent its aggressive growth from overtaking the main reef layout.
Diet: Photosynthetic via zooxanthellae, but possesses a strong feeding response and multiplies significantly faster when spot-fed micro-plankton, reef roe, or finely minced meaty foods.
Temperament: Aggressive; it lacks long sweeper tentacles but outcompetes neighboring corals by quickly encrusting over their base structures. Additionally, Palythoa species can contain palytoxin, a highly dangerous neurological toxin, requiring careful handling with gloves and eye protection when cutting or handling them outside of water.
The Green Palythoa or Zoanthid Coral (Palythoa sp. or Zoanthus sp.), commonly called Green Button Polyps, is an exceptionally hardy and fast-growing colonial soft coral featuring flat oral discs fringed with short, delicate tentacles. Highly favored for its rapid growth and ability to form vibrant neon green mats across bare rockwork, it is incredibly resilient against suboptimal water parameters, making it a staple choice for beginner aquarists.
Tank Requirements
Lighting: Low to high (30–250 PAR); highly adaptable, though moderate lighting yields the best balance of rapid polyp splitting and bright fluorescent coloration.
Water Flow: Moderate; requires a steady current to keep detritus from settling between the tight clusters of polyps without forcing them to stay closed.
Temperature: 72°F – 78°F (22°C – 26°C).
Salinity (Specific Gravity): 1.023 – 1.025.
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.4.
Care and Feeding
Placement: Low to middle sections of the aquarium, ideally mounted on an isolated "island" rock structure to prevent its aggressive growth from overtaking the main reef layout.
Diet: Photosynthetic via zooxanthellae, but possesses a strong feeding response and multiplies significantly faster when spot-fed micro-plankton, reef roe, or finely minced meaty foods.
Temperament: Aggressive; it lacks long sweeper tentacles but outcompetes neighboring corals by quickly encrusting over their base structures. Additionally, Palythoa species can contain palytoxin, a highly dangerous neurological toxin, requiring careful handling with gloves and eye protection when cutting or handling them outside of water.