Kuroshio zoanthid (Zoanthus kuroshio) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Zoanthid, Zoa, Colony polyp, Button polyp
Family
Zoanthidae
Origin
North-west Pacific, around southern Japan and Taiwan; named after the Kuroshio Current
Water
saltwater
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate
Flow
Low to moderate

Care

Zoanthus kuroshio is a colonial zoanthid: small polyps joined by a mat of tissue, spreading across rock. Polyps are often pink, red or orange with a contrasting oral disc. Most named zoanthid morphs in the trade are not identified to species. Placement: lower to middle rockwork, with room for the colony to spread. Light and flow: moderate light and low to moderate flow. Water and supplements: iodine and trace elements help polyp health and colour. Growth: spreads steadily by budding in an established reef. Frags often arrive with patchy polyp coverage and fill in over time. Safety: zoanthids and palythoa contain palytoxin, a powerful toxin. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging them, keep cuts away from the water and tissue, and never boil or scrub rock that carries them, as the spray and steam can poison people. LiveAquaria lists zoanthids as a genus ("Zoanthus sp."), not this species, so its figures are guidance for the genus. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/colony-polyp-zoanthus-corals). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic: zooxanthellae meet most of its needs. Under weaker light, feed micro-plankton, baby brine shrimp or similar foods.

Breeding

Easy: wearing gloves and eye protection, cut a group of polyps from the rock with a scalpel or snap off a piece of rubble, then glue it to a plug with gel superglue. The colony spreads from there.

Compatibility and tank mates

Short sweeper tentacles can sting or crowd nearby corals, so leave room between colonies. Some angelfish, butterflyfish and nudibranchs eat zoanthids; watch for zoa-eating sea spiders.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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