Palythoa grandis – Sun Polyps are Our Favorite Zoanthids!

Palythoa grandis, also known as the Sun Polyp (not to be confused with sun coral), is a distinctive species of very large zoanthids which we have cherished for years. These unmistakable zoanthids are the largest species of Palythoa by a…

‘Clown Face’ zoanthids are part of a whole new breed of Palythoa

Zoanthids are some of the most popular and collectable group of corals for the home aquarium. We’ve never personally been sucked into the zoanthid craze but we’ve always reserved a greater amount of interest and respect for the larger polyped Palythoa…

Two new species of azoox zoanthids, Palythoa mizigama & P. umbrosa

Two new species of zoanthids, Palythoa mizigama & Palythoa umbrosa were described earlier this year but we’re just now getting a good look at the appearance of these novel zoanthids. What makes the two new Palythoa species really interesting is not…

Palytoxin from Palythoa zoanthids is really, REALLY dangerous

If we could have your attention please, this is an important public service announcement from your neighborhood Reef Builders to let you know to be very careful when handling your Palythoa zoanthids. Zoanthids are hardy, neigh indestructible flower animals of…

Zoanthids vs Palythoa Identification

Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of different Palys and Zoas. In that same time, there were varieties we confidently called Palythoa and others Zoanthids. For example, I can easily point to a Palythoa grandis and say for sure that…

$2,425 two-polyp Palythoa frag sale reminds us that zoanthid collectors mean business

As many of us have witnessed, there are lots of coral ‘fads’ that have come and gone over the years. From the early-on craze over the  Australian Acan Lords to the tiniest little frag of a Rainbow Echinophylia, there are…

Reef Corner lands what might be the best looking Palythoa grandis we’ve ever seen

When most reefers think of Palythoa grandis, the images of bland, brownish polyps growing on the bottom of the tank that are not the prettiest things to look at come to mind. Of course there is a small minority, the…

Steamed Palythoas send well-informed aquarist to the emergency room, nearly to the grave

Palythoa toxin from Palythoa and Zoanthus polyps is widely known to be one of the most poisonous substances in the natural world, gram for gram. Armed with this knowledge a well-informed aquarist suited up for Palythoa removal duty from one of his aquarium rocks…

Reef Builders Presents: Reef Royale Bracket Challenge! 

UPDATED 4/7/24 – The Final Four games are complete! Grand Master Krakatoa’s (61%) took the win over Utter Chaos (39%) and Stratosphere’s (67%) beat out Mary Jane’s (33%). The final match will take place April 8th. We will also select…

How to deal with Coral Aggression

After discussing coral selection, quarantining, placement, and nutrition there is still one other aspect of their keeping that needs to be considered, coral aggression. Since corals are sedentary and cannot move once they have settled into place or been mounted…