Rasta
Zoanthus sp.
Species profile
Utter Chaos
Zoanthus sp.
Also sold as: Utter Chaos zoas
Utter Chaos is a large-polyp zoanthid splashed with bright orange speckles over a blue face.
Colors
Blue to purple oral disc with bright orange speckles and splashes, lightening toward white near the mouth, and short orange tentacles
Care at a glance
Care level
Easy
Light
Low to Medium
30-150 PAR
Flow
Moderate
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Lower to middle rockwork, or a front-facing rock where the pattern 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
Optional
Photosynthetic; optional fine particulate food once or twice a week
Care notes
No two Utter Chaos polyps look exactly the same. The orange is scattered across the blue disc in splashes and flecks rather than neat rings. Polyps are large for a zoa, close to 3/4 inch (about 19 mm) across when fully open, so the pattern is easy to appreciate from the front glass. The orange fluoresces strongly under even modest blue light, which makes it a good choice for tanks without very strong lighting. Quality varies a lot between sellers. Older, washed-out lines show dull speckling, so buy from photos of the actual colony where you can. Healthy colonies spread quickly once attached.
⚠ Palytoxin safety
Like any zoanthid, Utter Chaos may contain palytoxin, so treat it as toxic. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging, and wash up afterward.
