CB El Corazon
Zoanthus sp.
Species profile
Purple Death
Palythoa sp.
Also sold as: Purple Death paly, Purple Death palythoa
Purple Death is a fast-spreading Palythoa with purple discs and green centers that needs careful, protective handling.
Colors
Purple oral disc with a green center and short green to yellow-green tentacles
Care at a glance
Care level
Moderate
Light
Medium
75-150 PAR
Flow
Moderate
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
An isolated rock or frag plug, away from other corals and in a spot you can reach without disturbing it
Temperature
75 to 80°F (24 to 27°C)
Salinity
1.024-1.026 specific gravity (about 32-35 ppt)
Feeding
Recommended
Photosynthetic, but takes particulate and small frozen foods more readily than most zoas; feed once or twice a week
Care notes
Day-to-day care is simple, but handling it safely is the hard part, which is why it is rated Moderate rather than Easy. It is a true Palythoa, not a zoa sold under a “paly” name, and hobbyists have reported illness after handling it, in at least one case even when wearing gloves. Polyps are fleshy, with a thick mat that can pick up sand. The purple discs and green centers stand out under blue light. It grows fast and readily takes food, so it can take over a rock if left alone. Keep it on its own rock so you never have to cut it back in place. If you aren’t prepared to follow full palytoxin precautions, choose a Zoanthus morph instead.
⚠ Palytoxin safety
Purple Death is a true Palythoa, and hobbyists commonly report illness after handling it. Always wear gloves and eye protection, never frag it out of water or with power tools, and never boil or scrub rock it grows on. See the Palytoxin Safety guide before handling it.
