The Utter Chaos Zoanthid is a favorite among reef keepers for its wild orange and purple patterning and fast growth. It’s hardy enough for many beginners, but it rewards careful attention with intense color and dense colonies.

Lighting, Flow, and Placement

Utter Chaos Zoas can adapt to a range of conditions, but they look best when you dial things in:

• Lighting: Moderate PAR (80–150). Too much light can wash out color or cause the polyps to stay small and tight.
• Placement tip: Start them lower in the tank and slowly move them up over 2–3 weeks if you want brighter color.
• Flow: Moderate, indirect flow that makes the skirts gently sway. Avoid direct blasting that keeps them closed.
• Rock vs. plug: Mount the frag on a small rock island to control spreading and make future fragging easier.

Care, Feeding, and Growth Control

Once settled, Utter Chaos Zoanthids can grow quickly. A few simple habits keep them thriving and manageable:

• Water parameters: Keep nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1 ppm, and stable alkalinity (8–9.5 dKH). Zoas dislike big swings.
• Feeding: While they can live off light and nutrients, occasional target feeding with fine coral foods or enriched brine/mysis can boost growth and color.
• Pest checks: Always dip new frags to avoid nudibranchs, spiders, and sundial snails—common zoa predators.
• Growth control: Trim back polyps with a sharp scalpel or coral shears when they approach neighboring corals. Wear gloves and eye protection—zoas can contain palytoxin.

Quick tip: If your Utter Chaos colony stays closed for more than a day, check for pests, shading from other corals, or sudden changes in lighting or flow before adjusting water chemistry.

With stable parameters, thoughtful placement, and regular observation, Utter Chaos Zoanthids can become a bright, eye-catching centerpiece in your reef.