Palythoa (Palythoa spp.) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Protopalythoa, Button polyps, Paly, Nuclear Green, Grandis, Purple People Eater, Red People Eater
Family
Sphenopidae (formerly Zoanthidae)
Origin
Tropical seas worldwide, on shallow reef flats and rock
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate
Flow
Moderate

Care

Palythoa are colonial polyps like zoanthids but usually larger and fleshier, with sand embedded in their tissue. Well-known trade forms include Nuclear Green, grandis and people eaters (Purple and Red People Eater). LiveAquaria's Red People Eater button polyp is listed under Zoanthus sp., and neither site has a dedicated Palythoa page, so the figures come from that listing: easy, moderate light, medium flow and placement in the middle of the rockwork. Palythoa are hardy and can grow on sandy or rubble surfaces too. Water: LiveAquaria gives dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4 and 22–26 °C, with trace elements and iodine. Growth is fast; colonies spread by budding and can form domes over rock. Safety: zoanthids and palythoa contain palytoxin, a dangerous toxin. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging them, and never boil or scrub rock carrying them. Palythoa usually carry more palytoxin than Zoanthus, so take particular care. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/button-polyp-red-people-eater). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, and most Palythoa feed readily. LiveAquaria recommends micro-plankton or baby brine shrimp if lighting is poor; larger polyps take mysis or coral pellets.

Breeding

Easy: cut a group of polyps from the rock with a scalpel and glue the base to a plug. Wear gloves and eye protection, cut under water if possible and never boil or scrub the rock.

Compatibility and tank mates

Semi-aggressive (LiveAquaria): they can sting neighbouring polyps, though the sting is weak, and they can overgrow slower corals. Keep them on an isolated rock.

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

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