Koala Eye Zoanthids: A Classic Beauty with Electric Appeal
Add a timeless yet electrifying touch to your reef aquarium with the Koala Eye Zoanthids. This classic and highly popular zoa morph is beloved for its unmistakable "eye-like" pattern and brilliant color contrast. Each polyp features a stunning deep blue to purple center, encircled by a vibrant neon-green ring that surrounds the mouth, with an outer ring of golden-yellow or tan that radiates outward. Under actinic or blue lighting, the green and blue hues become intensely fluorescent, creating a dazzling display that draws the eye from across the room. The Koala Eye is a true staple for any zoa collector or reef hobbyist.
Aquacultured & Ready to Acclimate
This frag is aquacultured, meaning it has been propagated and raised in a controlled captive environment. This process results in a coral that is substantially hardier, more disease-resistant, and better adapted to the varying conditions of home aquariums compared to wild-harvested specimens. You will receive a healthy, established frag with multiple polyps, securely mounted on a frag plug. Each frag typically measures ¾ to 1 inch in diameter and is ready for introduction to your system.
Ideal for All Experience Levels
Koala Eye Zoanthids are exceptionally resilient and forgiving, making them a perfect choice for beginners just starting their first reef tank, as well as experienced hobbyists looking to add a reliable and beautiful morph to their collection. They tolerate a reasonable range of water conditions and are known to recover quickly from minor fluctuations, provided they are given stable, consistent care.
Lighting & Flow
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Lighting: Thrives under low to moderate lighting conditions (T5, LED, or metal halide). For optimal growth and color saturation, an ideal PAR range of 75–150 is recommended. They will do well in lower light areas but will often display their brightest fluorescence under moderate blue-spectrum lighting.
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Water Flow: Prefers low to moderate, indirect water flow. A gentle, irregular current will keep the polyps clean of detritus and fully extended, allowing them to sway softly without being battered or forced to retract.
Placement & Growth
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Placement: Best positioned in the lower to middle zones of your aquascape, depending on your lighting intensity. While peaceful towards other corals, Koala Eyes are known to spread steadily and can be overtaken by more aggressive or fast-growing neighbors. Provide them with ample space or place them on an isolated rock island to easily manage their colony expansion.
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Growth Rate: This is a moderate-to-fast growing zoa. Under optimal conditions with stable parameters and occasional feeding, you can expect to see new polyp buds appearing regularly, quickly transforming a small frag into a lush, carpeting colony.
Feeding & Nutrition
Although Koala Eye Zoanthids obtain a significant portion of their energy through photosynthesis, they will greatly benefit from supplemental feedings. Target feeding with fine particulate foods such as reef roids, marine snow, phytoplankton, or liquid amino acids once or twice per week can promote faster growth, larger polyp size, and more vivid coloration.
Recommended Water Parameters
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Temperature: 72–78°F
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Salinity: 1.023–1.026
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
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Nitrate: 1–10 ppm
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Phosphate: 0.02–0.10 ppm
A Timeless Addition to Your Zoa Garden
The Koala Eye Zoanthid is a classic for good reason—its striking, jewel-toned colors and reliable, fast-growing nature make it a rewarding addition to any reef system. Whether you are curating a diverse zoa collection or simply looking for a hardy, eye-catching centerpiece for your aquarium, this morph delivers enduring beauty and effortless care. Add the Koala Eye to your tank and enjoy its radiant, eye-like patterns for years to come.
Important Handling Note: Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling Zoanthids and Palythoa, as some species can contain a potent toxin (palytoxin) that is harmful to humans and pets.