Agave Zoanthids

Agave Zoanthids: Care Guide for Stunning Color in Your Reef Tank

Agave Zoanthids are a favorite among reef keepers who love bold, contrasting colors. With deep blues, greens, and fiery orange eyes, these zoas create an eye-catching focal point in nano and large reef aquariums alike. This guide covers care, placement, lighting, and how to keep your Agave Zoanthids thriving long-term.

Agave Zoanthids Care Requirements

Agave Zoanthids are generally hardy and suitable for reef keepers with some basic coral experience. They do best in stable, mature systems with consistent parameters.

Ideal Water Parameters

Keep your Agave Zoanthids in the same stable conditions you’d provide for other soft corals and zoas:

  • Temperature: 76–78°F (24–26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.024–1.026 specific gravity
  • pH: 8.1–8.4
  • Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH
  • Calcium: 400–450 ppm
  • Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

Regular testing and small, frequent water changes will help maintain these levels and support vibrant coloration.

Lighting and Flow

Agave Zoanthids respond well to moderate reef lighting and gentle to moderate flow:

  • Lighting: Moderate PAR (80–150). Too much intensity can cause the polyps to stay closed or wash out their colors.
  • Flow: Low to moderate, indirect flow that keeps detritus from settling on the colony without blasting the polyps.

Tip: Start Agave Zoanthids lower in the tank and gradually move them higher if needed. This helps them adapt to your specific lighting without stress.

Placement, Feeding, and Growth

Placement in the Reef Tank

These zoas are versatile and look great on rock islands, zoa gardens, or along the base of your main aquascape. When planning placement:

  • Give them space to spread over rock surfaces.
  • Avoid direct competition with aggressive LPS corals that may sting them.
  • Place them where you can easily view their faces under your preferred spectrum.

For more ideas on creating colorful coral groupings, check out our guide on zoanthid garden layouts.

Feeding and Coloration

Agave Zoanthids contain symbiotic zooxanthellae and gain much of their energy from light, but they also benefit from occasional feeding:

  • Target feed a fine coral food or zooplankton blend 1–2 times per week.
  • Turn off flow briefly while feeding so polyps can capture more food.
  • Avoid overfeeding, which can lead to excess nutrients and algae growth.

Strong but not excessive blue spectrum lighting often brings out the intense orange centers and deep blue skirts that make Agave Zoanthids so popular.

Common Issues and Safety Tips

Dealing with Pests and Irritation

Like other zoas, Agave Zoanthids can be bothered by pests or poor conditions. Watch for:

  • Closed or shrinking polyps
  • Discoloration or melting tissue
  • Nuisance algae growing over the colony

Good water quality, stable parameters, and proper flow usually prevent most problems. If you suspect pests, consider a coral dip following manufacturer instructions. For broader coral health advice, see our article on soft coral care basics.

Handling Zoanthids Safely

Some zoanthids can contain palytoxin, so always handle them with care:

  • Wear gloves and eye protection when moving or cutting rock with zoas.
  • Avoid touching your face or eyes during maintenance.
  • Wash hands and tools thoroughly after working in the tank.

With stable conditions, mindful placement, and a bit of patience, Agave Zoanthids can become a standout feature in your reef aquarium, providing intense color and movement for years to come.