CC Mind Trick
Zoanthus sp.
Species profile
Fruit Loops
Zoanthus sp.
Also sold as: Fruit Loop zoas
Fruit Loops is a tiny-polyp zoanthid that quickly carpets rock in blue, yellow, and orange.
Colors
Blue mouth, bright yellow ring, and an orange skirt; some lines show a purple to burgundy or greenish outer ring
Care at a glance
Care level
Easy
Light
Low to Medium
30-150 PAR
Flow
Moderate
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Lower to middle rockwork, ideally on a rock where a carpet can spread
Temperature
75 to 80°F (24 to 27°C)
Salinity
1.024-1.026 specific gravity (about 32-35 ppt)
Feeding
Optional
Photosynthetic; optional fine particulate food once or twice a week
Care notes
Fruit Loops polyps are noticeably smaller than most zoas, so a single frag can look underwhelming at first. Give it a few months and it fills in into a dense, colorful carpet, which is how it looks best. The small heads pack tightly, and from a distance the colony reads as a mix of yellow and orange dots. The blue mouths only really show up close. Because the polyps sit so low and close together, detritus can settle between them. Moderate, shifting flow and an occasional blast from a turkey baster keep the colony clean. Its speed makes it a good candidate for an isolated rock or zoa island rather than the main reef.
⚠ Palytoxin safety
Like any zoanthid, Fruit Loops may contain palytoxin, so treat it as toxic. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging, and wash up afterward.
