Cat Eye

Cat Eye is a Zoanthus strain named for the vertical dark centre that splits its green-yellow face, resembling a feline pupil in each open polyp. That dark, elongated mark is the signature — without it, the polyp would be a simple green-yellow zoanthid; with it, the colony has an unmistakable eye-spotted pattern. It is a Tier 3 collector name, kept by zoanthid enthusiasts for this unusual centre marking.

Care

Provide medium lighting and medium flow, placing it in the bottom to middle of the aquascape. Keep the mat clean with flow moving through it, maintain measurable nutrients — zoanthids sulk in ultra-clean water — and keep alkalinity stable for reliable opening. Rated intermediate in difficulty, it does best in a stable system where light is increased gradually after introduction, allowing the green-yellow colour to develop fully.

Keeping and spread

Growth is moderate and mat-forming. As with other Zoanthus, the mat advances steadily and can smother slower neighbours, so allow roughly 2 in of clear space and use separate rockwork if you need to limit its footprint. Aggression is moderate and territorial. Frag by cutting the mat between polyps and mounting the piece; let frags settle in moderate light and flow until healed.