Golden Zoanthid

About

The golden zoanthid (Parazoanthus swiftii) is a colonial cnidarian found across a broad stretch of Atlantic waters, from Bonaire and Brazil down to the remote shores of Ascension Island. Like other zoanthids, it grows as a mat of connected polyps rather than as a single organism, and the warm yellow tones of its polyps make it a visually appealing addition to a reef display. In the wild it occupies benthic tropical habitats, meaning it lives on or very close to the seafloor, often in areas where light levels are relatively modest. That preference translates well to the aquarium, where it does not demand the intense lighting that many other corals require. Moderate flow helps deliver nutrients and keeps detritus from settling on the colony, which can smother individual polyps over time. Because zoanthids as a group can vary in their sensitivity to water quality and handling, this one sits comfortably in the intermediate care category rather than being a true beginner coral. It is considered reef safe, so it can be kept alongside the typical mix of fish and invertebrates without concern about it preying on or outcompeting neighbors in an aggressive way.