Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
AOI Zoa
Small polyps that are blue under white or blue light with contrasting yellow centers.
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Small
Zoanthid Identification Guide
Compare popular zoanthid varieties using photographs, colors, patterns and identifying characteristics. Trade names aren't standardized, and coloration can vary with aquarium lighting and individual specimens.
Looking for Zoanthids? Browse our Zoanthids for Sale.
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Awesome Blossom
- Skirt Color:
- Orange, Green
- Oral Disc Color:
- Pink, Orange, Purple, Black, Blue
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Bam Bam Zoa
Fast Growing packing bright orange color.
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Black Bella Zoanthid
Dark purple skirts with bright yellow ring oral disc with teal circle surrounding mouth.
- Skirt Color:
- Purple
- Oral Disc Color:
- Teal, Purple, Yellow, Blue
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Moderate
- Polyp Size:
- Small
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Blondie Zoa
Also called: BEBB Zoa, Blue Eye Blonde Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Orange
- Oral Disc Color:
- Blue, Yellow, Purple
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Bloodshot Zoa
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Blowpop Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Yellow, Green
- Oral Disc Color:
- Blue, Yellow, Orange, Red
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Blue Hornet Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Yellow, Blue
- Oral Disc Color:
- Yellow, Blue
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Small
- Similar Varieties:
- Purple Hornets
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Candy Apple Red Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Red, Purple
- Oral Disc Color:
- Blue, Purple, Red, Green
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Large
- Similar Varieties:
- Candy Apple Orange Zoa, Candy Apple Pink Zoa
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Daisy Cutter Zoanthid
A classic zoa with and interesting dark blue and white speckled face, orange mouth area, and green skirt.
- Skirt Color:
- Green, Blue, Purple
- Oral Disc Color:
- Orange, White, Blue, Black
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Small
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Eagle Eye Zoa
The skirt of Eagle Eye Zoas can be either green, yellowish-green, or yellow depending on tank conditions.
- Skirt Color:
- Yellow, Green, Blue
- Oral Disc Color:
- Red, Orange, Blue
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Emeralds On Fire Zoa
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
- Similar Varieties:
- Goblins on Fire
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Exospheres Zoanthid
Nice contrasting golden spots on midnight blue face and green skirt.
- Skirt Color:
- Green, Blue
- Oral Disc Color:
- Black, Yellow, White, Blue, Green
- Care Level:
- Medium
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Fire and Ice Zoanthid
Also called: Snitch Zoanthid
Reddish orange skirt with blue face. Near mouth white to yellowish white.
- Skirt Color:
- Red, Green
- Oral Disc Color:
- Blue, White, Yellow
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Small
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Fruit Loop Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Orange
- Oral Disc Color:
- Blue, Yellow, Purple
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Fruitopia Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Orange
- Oral Disc Color:
- Green, Blue, Black, Purple
- Care Level:
- Medium
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Small
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Gatorade Zoanthid
- Skirt Color:
- Orange
- Oral Disc Color:
- Green, Orange
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
God Beast Zoa
Very large polyps in hard to find yellow. Very interesting pattern on the lashes.
- Skirt Color:
- Green, Purple, Teal
- Oral Disc Color:
- Yellow, Purple
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Gold Maul Zoa
Also called: Scarface Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Yellow, Purple, Black
- Oral Disc Color:
- Yellow, Purple, Black
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Gorilla Nipples Zoanthid
Orange center with blue and green face and dark purple skirt. Gorilla nipples may dark skirt or green skirt or dark and green gradient.
- Skirt Color:
- Purple, Green
- Oral Disc Color:
- Orange, Teal, Blue, Yellow
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
- Similar Varieties:
- Blow Pop Zoa, Hairy Gorilla Nipple Zoa
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Halle Berry Zoa
This zoa can morph quite a bit. More commonly it has pink in the skirt, but in our system it usually have blue and green skirts.
- Skirt Color:
- Pink, Green, Orange, Purple
- Oral Disc Color:
- Orange, Yellow, Black
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
King Midas Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Yellow, Green
- Oral Disc Color:
- Purple, Yellow
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Small
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Koala Eyes Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Purple, Pink, Green, Orange, Yellow
- Oral Disc Color:
- Pink, Purple, Green
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Laser Lemon Zoa
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Small
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
LC Antimatter Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Green, Orange, Purple, Yellow
- Oral Disc Color:
- Green, Purple, Pink
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Magician Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Purple, Red
- Oral Disc Color:
- Purple, Red, Green
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Nightcrawler Zoanthid
Detailed reddish orange pattern on polyp face. Green and orange bands on skirt.
- Skirt Color:
- Green, Orange, Purple, Teal
- Oral Disc Color:
- Orange, Purple
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Omega Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Pink, Purple
- Oral Disc Color:
- Blue, Green, Purple, Pink
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Oompa Loompa Zoa
Also called: Electric Oompa Loompa Zoa
A Classic large polyp bright zoa.
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Orange Oxide Zoa
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Perennial Dance Zoanthid
Unusual color combo in interesting splatter chape around mouth.
- Skirt Color:
- Pink, Blue, Teal
- Oral Disc Color:
- Pink, Green, Orange
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Moderate
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Pink Diamond Zoa
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Pink Zipper Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Blue, Pink, Purple, Teal
- Oral Disc Color:
- Pink, Purple, Green
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Moderate
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Playboy Bunny Zoa
Also called: PB Bunny
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Purple People Eater Zoa
Fast growing often with interesting patterns on the stalks.
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- Low
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Rainbow Hornet Zoa
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Small
- Similar Varieties:
- Purple Hornet
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Rainbow Incinerator
Green skirt with reddish orange face with dark ring.
- Skirt Color:
- Blue, Green
- Oral Disc Color:
- Orange, Black
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Rainbow Troll Zoa
Great variety of colors and pretty banded lashes make the Rainbow Troll and interesting and colorful addition to a Zoa garden.
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Rasta Zoanthid
A classic zoa with a blue, green, and orange face and yellow skirt.
- Skirt Color:
- Yellow, Black
- Oral Disc Color:
- Orange, Green, Blue
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
- Similar Varieties:
- Bob Marley Zoa
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Red People Eater Zoa
A hardy and fast growing zoanthid with hard to find rind coloration in a zoanthid. The neon green mouth nicely contrasts against the dark purple area surrounding the mouth.
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Large
- Similar Varieties:
- Purple People Eater Zoa
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Scrambled Egg Zoa
Also called: Scrambled Eggs Zoa
Fast growing true yellow zoa
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Snowglobe Zoanthid
Incredibly detailed pattern and contrasting colors make the Snowglobe Zoanthid amazing to study.
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Space Chaos Zoa
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Large
- Similar Varieties:
- Strawberry Wine Zoa
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Spitfire Zoa
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Stratosphere Zoa
For years this strain was know to melt easily but in recent years a hardier strain is spreading in the hobby. Stunning yellow black purple color combination and spiral pattern is unique amongst zoa.
- Skirt Color:
- Pink, Purple
- Oral Disc Color:
- Black, Yellow
- Care Level:
- Medium
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Large
- Similar Varieties:
- Queen Strat
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Sunny D Zoanthid
A favorite classic zoa thanks to their intense coloration, large polyps, and ease of care.
- Skirt Color:
- Purple, Brown
- Oral Disc Color:
- Green, Orange, Red, Yellow
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Color Brightness:
- High
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Super Saiyan Zoa
Also called: Super Sunflower Zoa, Lazy Lashes Zoa
Super bright yellow skirt often with long lashes.
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Very High
- Polyp Size:
- Medium
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Taser Zoa
- Skirt Color:
- Purple, Pink, Green
- Oral Disc Color:
- Pink, Purple
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Tubbs Blue Zoanthid
Hard to find blue zoanthid that has been in the hobby many years. Small polyps and fast growing.
- Skirt Color:
- Blue, Green, Purple
- Oral Disc Color:
- Blue
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Fast
- Color Brightness:
- Low
- Polyp Size:
- Small
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
Utter Chaos Zoa
One of the brightest Zoas! Morphs a lot depending on lighting. More white lighter coloration under higher light.
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Very High
- Polyp Size:
- Large
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
VDM Zoa
Darth Maul has more of a speckled appearance although VDM can develop a moderate amount of speckles.
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Bright
- Polyp Size:
- Large
- Similar Varieties:
- Darth Maul
Photographed under blue aquarium lighting
White Zombie Zoa
Also called: Salted Agave, Seductions
- Care Level:
- Easy
- Growth Rate:
- Moderate
- Color Brightness:
- Medium
- Polyp Size:
- Large
No zoanthid varieties match all selected colors.
Try removing a color or clearing the filters.
How to Identify Zoanthids
Zoanthid identification is usually based on a combination of appearance, polyp size, color pattern and known hobby lineage. Many varieties have distinctive combinations of skirt color, oral disc coloration and mouth color, but individual colonies can look different under different aquarium lighting and conditions.
Trade names such as Rasta, Bam Bam, Utter Chaos and Hornet are hobby names rather than scientific classifications. The same name may occasionally be used for slightly different-looking corals, while similar zoanthids may be sold under different names by different vendors. For this reason, photographs and visible characteristics should be used as a guide rather than as definitive identification.
Zoanthid Care Difficulty and Growth Rate
Zoanthids are often considered relatively easy reef aquarium corals, although care requirements vary between varieties. Some strains grow rapidly and can form large colonies, while others grow much more slowly. Lighting, water chemistry, nutrient availability and placement can all influence growth rate and coloration.
The care difficulty, growth rate, color brightness and polyp size ratings in this guide are intended to make it easier to compare commonly available zoanthid varieties. These characteristics can vary between aquariums, so the ratings should be treated as general observations rather than fixed measurements.
Why Zoanthid Colors Can Look Different
Zoanthid coloration can change dramatically depending on aquarium lighting. Blue-heavy reef lighting often emphasizes fluorescent pigments, while whiter-spectrum lighting can make the underlying colors and patterns easier to compare. When available, this guide includes both primary and white-light photographs to provide a more complete view of each variety.
Looking for Zoanthids?
Browse our Zoanthids for Sale to see currently available varieties and individually photographed zoanthid frags. Our inventory changes regularly as new colors and collector varieties become available.