Iron Man Zoanthids

Iron Man zoanthids are an exciting addition to the home reef aquarium. They are colorful, symbiotic and easy to care for. While they are a little more difficult to find than other zoanthids, they are well worth the search and make an excellent addition to any tank.

Like many corals, zoanthids are a symbiotic invertebrate that live with algae (zooxanthellae) in their tissues. This algae provides them with a steady supply of nutrients. In exchange for this symbiotic relationship, the zoanthids provide the algae with shelter. This allows the zooxanthellae to use photosynthesis and produce oxygen. The zoanthids also benefit from the dissolved carbon dioxide that the algae produces.

Zoanthids look a bit like sea anemones, but they have some significant differences. They do not have hard skeletons, instead their tissue is leathery. They live in colonies like corals, rather than single polyps. And whereas anemones have tentacles that sting other fish and invertebrates, zoanthids do not.

While zoanthids do not sting, they will eat small crustaceans, worms and tiny mollusks. They also feed on detritus and dissolved organics from the water. This makes them great for cleaning the gravel and rock work in your reef. They can even be placed in the same aquarium with acroporas and other light demanding corals.

The genus Palythoa contains the most toxic species of zoanthids, called palytoxin (PTX). It is a neurotoxin that causes gastrointestinal and respiratory tract symptoms as well as cardiac and central nervous system depression. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and are usually fatal if untreated. Palythoas contain varying amounts of palytoxin, with the highest concentrations found in the species P. toxica and the rare P. palythoa var. thomasi.

It is possible for an aquarist to come into contact with PTX through the handling of a Palythoa or zoanthid, but this can only happen if the skin is broken and it comes in direct contact with the bloodstream. It is important to always wear gloves when handling rocks, corals and aquarium water, especially if you have open wounds.

Iron man zoanthids are typically found in shallow reef environments. They require bright light and moderate waterflow. They will bleach and lose color under too much light and may stretch in low light.

This is a beautiful coral, but it is best kept in the lower to middle portion of your reef aquarium. It does well under medium light, but can be a bit picky when it comes to high light levels. A PAR meter is recommended to be sure you are providing the proper amount of light.

These zoanthids are one of the easiest to take care of, but like any coral they do need proper conditions to thrive. They should be placed in a tank with plenty of room, as they can grow quite large. It is also best to avoid putting them next to other corals as they can sting them. A zoanthid garden is a fun way to decorate your tank. With a bit of patience and the proper care, this zoanthid will add a touch of elegance to any reef aquarium.