Daisy Cutter
Zoanthus sp.
Species profile
Butt Kisser
Zoanthus sp.
Also sold as: Butt Kisser zoa, Butt Kisser zoanthid
Butt Kisser is a zoanthid with a dark-speckled chartreuse face, a gold center and long, mottled mauve to olive tentacles.
Colors
Yellow-gold center with dark specks around a pale blue mouth; a chartreuse to olive-yellow disc with fine radial lines; and long, curling tentacles mottled mauve to olive with pale tips
Care at a glance
Care level
Easy
Light
Medium
75-150 PAR
Flow
Moderate
Growth rate
Moderate
Placement
Lower to middle rockwork, ideally a spot near the front of the tank where the speckled centers can be seen up close
Temperature
75 to 80°F (24 to 27°C)
Salinity
1.024-1.026 specific gravity (about 32-35 ppt)
Feeding
Mostly light-fed, with optional fine foods once or twice a week.
Photosynthetic; optional fine particulate food once or twice a week
Care notes
A yellow-gold center flecked with dark specks sits inside a chartreuse disc, and long, curling tentacles in mottled mauve and olive give each polyp a ragged outline. Under strong blue light the colors look more intense, and under whiter light they look softer. Care values here are typical for zoanthids, not measured for this morph: medium light, moderate, indirect flow and steady water. Give a new frag time to settle before judging its growth or color, and if it starts to pale, move it lower rather than changing several things at once. Zoa trade names are used loosely, and colonies sold under this name can look different, so buy from photos of the actual colony.
⚠ Palytoxin safety
Like any zoanthid, Butt Kisser may contain palytoxin, so treat it as toxic. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging, and wash up afterward.
