Colony Polyp, Purple Face

The Purple Face Zoanthus Colony Polyp will make any reefer who views your showcase aquarium smile in awe and envy. The center "face" of deep indigo is ringed with royal purple tentacles. The colonial nature of the polyp corals creates an impressive flush of color that is visually stimulating yet pleasantly harmonious. Over time, an established colony of Purple Face Zoanthus Colony Polyp will create an impressive living carpet of color reminiscent of a field of underwater wildflowers.

These polyps have the ability to sting other polyps or corals. While the sting is not strong, they are semi-aggressive and need to have space between their colony and any neighbors since they tend to crowd them out. Zoanthus Colony Polyp Corals are easy to maintain, making them a good choice for beginner reef aquarists. They require a moderate light level combined with medium water movement within the aquarium. For continued good health, they will also require the addition of iodine and other trace elements to the water.

The Purple Face Zoanthus Colony Polyp will reproduce easily in the reef aquarium by budding (splitting off a portion of their base or mouth) to increase the size of the colony. The Purple Face Zoanthus Colony Polyp contains the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae, which satisfies almost all of their nutritional requirements. If the lighting is not optimal, the Purple Face Zoanthus Colony Polyp should be fed micro-plankton or baby brine shrimp.

It is common to receive a rock that is not completely covered in polyps. However, under the right conditions, they will quickly spread across this and surrounding rocks in the aquarium.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small 1" to 2-1/4"; Medium 2" to 3-1/4"; Large 3" to 5"