How fast do zoas grow?

[Just John]

New to the hobby - I always hear that zoas grow fast, but what does that mean? I know it depends on the environment and type, but in general what can I expect from a frag? At the end of a year will one polyp typically be 5, 10, 20?

 

[Gtinnel]

I think that it changes so much between tanks and individual zoas that you will have a hard time getting an answer. I have one that has gone from about 5 polyps to around 30 in 4 months but another than has only grown by a polyp or 2 in 6 months.

 

[Just John]

I think that it changes so much between tanks and individual zoas that you will have a hard time getting an answer. I have one that has gone from about 5 polyps to around 30 in 4 months but another than has only grown by a polyp or 2 in 6 months.

Thanks for the help. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens!

 

[Gtinnel]

Thanks for the help. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens!

I think the best rule is that if the zoa is cheaper it usually grows quicker.
That is not always true but the best answer I can give.

 

[littlebigreef]

There are some strains that fundamentally just grow slower. It’s unlikely you’ll be dealing with any of those at this point. On the whole it’s hard to ball park expected growth at this point, the maturity of the aquarium is also a factor.

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Depends on the kind of zoa you have. And expensive doesn’t always mean slow grower. I’ve got these cornbread white zombies (super expensive) and they’ve grown three new heads in a month. I’ve also got some rastas (medium-low end) who haven’t sprouted a single head in three months.

 

[Gtinnel]

Depends on the kind of zoa you have. And expensive doesn’t always mean slow grower. I’ve got these cornbread white zombies (super expensive) and they’ve grown three new heads in a month. I’ve also got some rastas (medium-low end) who haven’t sprouted a single head in three months.

I agree that the cost to growth rate isn't always accurate, but I think that every coral and persons tank is different so it's hard to know which ones will grow quickly and which won't. I just got three zoa/play frags about a month ago. The utter choas hasn't grown any new heads at all, but the rasta and free pink zoa that was included (I don't know the name) have doubled in size.

 

[Stuartmercer]

Depends on the kind of zoa you have. And expensive doesn’t always mean slow grower. I’ve got these cornbread white zombies (super expensive) and they’ve grown three new heads in a month. I’ve also got some rastas (medium-low end) who haven’t sprouted a single head in three months.

Yea I am at 4 months with a 5 head rasta plug with not a single new one.

 

[elysics]

With some, you'll maybe have a few extra polyps after half a year to a year, with some you'll have hundreds or thousands in that same time of they have space to grow

 

[LegendaryCG]

Well in my opinion true zoas grow slower than palys. The bigger they are the faster they seem to go, and you’ll see much faster growth out of an established colony than just a frag.

 

[Willis19]

I have utter chaos and rasta and these are slower than others zoas in my tank. I have had them for 2 months and no signs of growing, my other zoas are growing fine. Not sure if I should move them close to light or in the sand, right now they are in the middle from bottom to top. Im dosing red sea ab +, this has boosting other corals but not these two. Any advice?

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Update: my zombies have grown up to 8 heads since mid Jan. They are weeds in my tank.

 

[TheDragonsReef]

Theyre all different and has a lot to do with how happy they are where theyre placed.

My star gazers went from 10 heads to well over 100 in a year

My sundial palys went from 1 to about 15 in a year but i dont think i have them in the best spot.

My illuminattis went from 2 to 9 in 2months

Aois went from 5 to 20 in 2 months

Radioactive dragon eyes from about 20 to 80+ in 6 months

 

[ReefRondo]

I have had 6 reef tanks over the years and not one of my tanks including my frag tank that is super stable and grows every coral I own just won’t grow Zoas. They always just eventually die. I have never got to the bottom of it.