Rasta Zoanthids

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

Description:
The Rasta Zoanthid is a long-standing collector favorite, named for the red, gold, and green banding that runs across the polyp. Each polyp carries a lime-to-neon green skirt, a warm red-orange ring around the center, and a bright yellow-green mouth, so a mature colony reads as three distinct color bands at once. Under actinic blue lighting the green fluoresces hard against the red ring, producing the high-contrast look that made this morph a staple in zoa gardens. Like most Zoanthids, Rastas are hardy, fast-growing, and beginner-friendly — an easy way to add bold color that holds up under a wide range of conditions.

Care Guide:

• Tank Size: Suitable for nano (10+ gallons) and larger reef tanks.
• Temperament: Peaceful, but spreads readily and can overgrow neighboring corals.
• Lighting: Moderate (PAR 80-200); actinic blue LED lighting brings out the green fluorescence.
• Flow: Moderate to high — keeps detritus off the polyps and encourages full extension.
• Placement:
  • Best placed on rockwork, frag racks, or isolated islands to manage spreading.
  • Allow room to grow, or isolate to keep the colony contained.
• 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: 1.025-1.026
  • Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
  • Calcium: 400-450 ppm
  • Magnesium: 1300-1350 ppm
  • Nitrate & Phosphate: Low but detectable (NO₃: 5-10 ppm, PO₄: 0.03-0.07 ppm)

Compatibility:

• Very peaceful, suitable near most corals.
• Best kept with other soft corals, zoanthids, and non-aggressive LPS.
• Avoid placement near aggressive corals such as Galaxea, Torch, or Hydnophora.

Special Considerations:

• Growth Management: Rastas spread quickly; an isolated rock keeps them from taking over the reef.
• Coloration Enhancement: The red ring and green skirt separate most clearly under blue-dominant LED lighting. Too much white light tends to wash the banding out.
• Closed Polyps: Polyps may stay closed for a few days after shipping or placement. This is normal while they settle.
• Palytoxin Warning: May contain palytoxins; always wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging.

Summary:
The Rasta Zoanthid is a hardy, fast-growing, and instantly recognizable coral, perfect for adding layered red, gold, and green color to a reef tank. With stable water conditions, moderate lighting, and occasional feeding, Rastas will spread into dense, high-contrast colonies — a reliable choice for beginners and a classic that experienced collectors keep coming back to.