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Utter Chaos
Zoanthus sp.
Species profile
Sonic Flare
Zoanthus sp.
Also sold as: Sonic Flares, Sonic Flare zoa, Sonic Flare zoanthid
Sonic Flare is a larger-polyp zoanthid with a pink-flecked deep blue center, a sunburst ring of coral-orange spokes and a pale band, and curling blue to teal tentacles.
Colors
Deep blue to indigo center dusted with fine pink to coral specks, around a small pale blue raised mouth; a sunburst ring of pink to coral-orange spokes alternating with dark blue to purple stripes; a pale peach to creamy white band, edged in places with yellow-green; a turquoise to teal zone at the base of the tentacles; and curling blue to deep teal tentacles
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 sunburst 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
Sonic Flare is a ringed morph, and the sunburst on each face is the main draw. A deep blue center flecked with pink sits inside a ring of pink to coral-orange spokes, then a pale cream band, then turquoise to teal before the curling blue tentacles. It is a larger-polyp zoa, so even a small frag shows up well. Under strong blue light the colors look more intense, and under whiter light they look softer. Frags are often sold as a few polyps, so give a new piece time to settle before judging its growth. This is the look most sellers use for the name, but a few sellers use it for different-looking zoas, including a pink-and-maroon one, so buy from photos of the actual colony. Moderate, indirect flow keeps detritus off the faces without keeping the polyps closed.
⚠ Palytoxin safety
Like any zoanthid, Sonic Flare may contain palytoxin, so treat it as toxic. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging, and wash up afterward.
