Gatorade Zoanthids

Gatorade Zoanthid (Zoanthus sp.) – Description & Care Guide

Description:

The Gatorade Zoanthid is an electrifying soft coral, celebrated for its green-blue centers, yellow mouths, and vibrant orange skirts. Under actinic blue lighting, these zoas emit a brilliant fluorescent glow reminiscent of their namesake beverage. Like other Zoanthids, Gatorades are hardy, fast-growing, and beginner-friendly, making them highly prized among reef aquarists seeking dazzling color and ease of care.

Care Guide:

• Tank Size: Suitable for nano (10+ gallons) and larger reef tanks.
• Temperament: Peaceful, but capable of rapid spreading, potentially encroaching on nearby corals.
• Lighting: Moderate (PAR 80-200); actinic blue lighting highlights their vibrant colors.
• Flow: Moderate to high – prevents detritus buildup and encourages healthy polyp extension.
• Placement:
  • Ideal on rockwork, frag racks, or isolated islands to manage rapid growth.
  • Provide room to spread, or isolate to control their expansion.
• Feeding:
  • Primarily relies on photosynthesis via zooxanthellae.
  • Benefits from broadcast feeding with:
    • Reef amino acids
    • Phytoplankton
    • Powdered coral foods (e.g., Reef Roids)
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 74-78°F (23-26°C)
  • pH: 8.1-8.4
  • Salinity: 1.024-1.026
  • Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
  • Calcium: 400-450 ppm
  • Magnesium: 1250-1350 ppm
  • Nitrate & Phosphate: Low but detectable (NO₃: 5-10 ppm, PO₄: 0.03-0.07 ppm)

Compatibility:

• Very peaceful, suitable for placement near most corals.
• Ideal with other soft corals or non-aggressive LPS.
• Avoid proximity to aggressive corals such as Galaxea, Torch, or Hydnophora.

Special Considerations:

• Growth Management: Gatorade Zoas grow quickly; placing them on isolated rocks helps control spread.
• Coloration Enhancement: Optimal colors develop under blue-dominant LED lighting, intensifying their neon fluorescence.
• Palytoxin Warning: May contain palytoxins; always wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging.

Summary:

The Gatorade Zoanthid is a hardy, fast-growing, and vividly colored coral, perfect for adding bold, fluorescent beauty to reef aquariums. With stable water conditions, moderate lighting, and occasional feeding, Gatorade Zoas will thrive and develop into eye-catching colonies, ideal for aquarists of all experience levels.