Colorful zoanthid coral polyps in a row on a dark background
Fruit Loops Zoanthid (Zoanthus sp.) polyp on black, top-down view

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.

Read the full Palytoxin Safety guide →