Grim Reaper

Grim Reaper is a Zoanthus strain with a dark purple-black face encircled by a red ring, a sombre, high-contrast combination that stands out in a garden of brighter zoanthids. The dark disc makes the red margin read even more vividly under reef lighting. It is a Tier 2 name, reasonably well known among collectors looking for darker tones to balance pinks, greens and yellows in a mixed zoanthid planting.

Care

Unlike most strains in this group it is listed for low to medium lighting, with medium flow, and suits the bottom to middle of the tank, including slightly shaded spots where dark colour is not washed out. Maintain measurable nutrients — zoanthids sulk in ultra-clean water — and stable alkalinity, with flow through the mat to prevent settling detritus. Rated easy in care difficulty, it is forgiving provided it is not placed under intense light too quickly.

Keeping and spread

Growth is moderate and mat-forming. The colony spreads across rock and can smother slower neighbours on contact, so give it about 2 in of space or an island position. Aggression is moderate. Fragging is standard for Zoanthus: cut through the mat between polyps, mount the section, and let it recover in low to medium light and moderate flow until new growth appears at the edge.