Pandora Zoa

The Pandora Zoa (Zoanthus sp.)—often referred to as Pandora Paly due to its unusually large polyp diameter and rapid encrusting nature—is a widely recognized, high-impact classic morph. Famed for its bright, starburst-like appearance, this strain features a broad, metallic pink-to-peach oral disc covered in delicate white-to-silver radial flecks, a small pale mouth, and a halo of long, speckled brownish-pink or tan skirt tentacles that pop with subtle fluorescence under blue actinics.

Coloration: Metallic pink-to-peach face disc heavily speckled with white-and-silver radial flecks, surrounded by long, speckled tan-to-pink skirt tentacles.

Growth Pattern: Colonial mat (rapidly forms large, thick polyps that encrust over plugs, rockwork, and glass surfaces in dense clusters). Sold as 2-3 polyps on a 0.5 – 1 inch frag plug.

Lighting: Low to High (PAR 75–250; remarkably adaptable across almost all lighting conditions).

Water Flow: Low to Moderate (Gentle to moderate sweeping current).

Feeding: Photosynthetic; optional spot-feeding with fine micro-plankton powders or liquid coral foods accelerates budding.

Aggressiveness: Semi-Aggressive (lacks stinging tentacles, but its exceptionally fast growth rate and large polyp size will easily overgrow and shade neighboring zoanthids).

Care Level: Beginner / Very Easy (Virtually bulletproof, making it an ideal choice for new reef keepers).