Mandarin Orange Zoas

<p>Zoanthids feature a hard exoskeleton and are considered one of the most durable inhabitants in a reef aquarium making them the perfect piece for newbie aquarists. Their appearance resembles a cluster of miniature sea anemones that often creates a hard matting appearance. While they look similar to sea anemones, Zoanthids are generally smaller with an oral disc measuring only from 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter.</p> <p>This is the water parameters in cultivating Zoas:</p> <ul> <li>Calcium: 380 - 430 ppm</li> <li>Alkalinity: 3.2 - 4.5 MEQ/L</li> <li>Phosphates: 0</li> <li>Magnesium: 1250 - 1300 ppm</li> <li>Strontium: 8 - 10</li> <li>Temperature: 72° - 82° F (22° - 27° C)</li> <li>Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025</li> </ul>

<p>In the wild, Mandarin Orange Zoas has developed a symbiotic feeding relationship with marine algae called zooxanthellae. But in captivity, you have to feed them with nanoplankton or dissolved organics.</p>

<p>A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Mandarin Orange Zoas. They should be set in the middle or top part of the tank where they will receive the most amount of light.</p>

<p>Mandarin Orange Zoas requires strong lighting and moderate water flow.</p>

<p>While the Mandarin Orange Zoas are easy to maintain, you have to be alert for filamentous algae that can overgrow and smother their polyps. They are also prone to box snail which feeds on them, so you need to remove this particular snail from the tank. You also have to look out for large crustaceans and fish like angelfish and butterflyfish that nibbles on their tentacles.</p>

<p>Mandarin Orange Zoas are known to possess high levels of palytoxin and vibrio bacteria, especially in their mucus. So, you need to wear gloves in handling them.</p>

<p>Mandarin Orange Zoas are purely marine. So, therefore, salinity must be maintained thoroughly at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.</p>

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