Do zoas move?

Carmen · Jan 20, 2014

I have a small zoa frag, about 4 heads. It was a survivor of when I had an outbreak of some pest that ate the main colony. Somehow this little guy, with only one tiny head popped up next to a rock in a shaded area. That was about 2 months ago. Now it has 4 heads and last week it appeared to me it had moved away from the rock a little. Yesterday it was quite a ways away, and today it appears to be heading towards a rock with more light. Are my fish moving it? Do they move on their own?

jduran0509 · Jan 20, 2014

They tend to move depending on conditions surrounding them, kind of like anemones.

The base attaches them to the rock so it would be pretty hard for fish to move them without killing them.

Have you changed your scape lately or any other changes?

Carmen · Jan 20, 2014

No changes to the scape. What I was thinking was it was moving out of a shaded area to more light. That is so cool! I didn't know they did this. It will be interesting to see if it climbs the rock. Right now its just on sand...as I said it was a "volunteer" zoa that some how survived after I took the other one out...like it just popped out of the sand.

jduran0509 · Jan 21, 2014

Probably hiding haha. Some of my paly's would shrink as if dying, I'd forget about them or think they melted away and bam! Return of the Mack, coming out all suited and booted... Jp, but they do come out of nowhere like they went on vacation. Good luck!

EW_Fish · Jan 21, 2014

Yeah I have found random 6 polyp colonies in random spaces in the tank lol.

Carmen · Jan 21, 2014

Good to know. I'm a newbie, and this is a lot of fun discovering things if not everyday, at least every week.

jduran0509 · Jan 21, 2014

Good luck with the zoas!! They can get pricey though!

Carmen · Jan 21, 2014

Thanks! I have two I really like. And, you're right they can get pricy!

classklown90 · Jan 21, 2014

I wouldn't say move but they can detach and float around until they stick somewhere, usually in a rock crevice or something similar

OTReefer · Apr 11, 2024

jduran0509 said:
Probably hiding haha. Some of my paly's would shrink as if dying, I'd forget about them or think they melted away and bam! Return of the Mack, coming out all suited and booted... Jp, but they do come out of nowhere like they went on vacation. Good luck!

You’re my kinda dude lol “return of the mac, coming out all suited and booted”