Tyree vs Cherry Corals Zoanthids: Lineage, Strains, Price Comparison
Neutral side-by-side of two influential US coral originator lineages. One built the foundation of the named-zoa hobby in the 1990s. The other defined the modern high-end zoa market across the last decade. Both ship through US frag distributors and both list with Fast Aquatics vendors.
Tyree (Steve Tyree)
Originator
Steve Tyree, southern California. Author of "The Environmental Gradient" and "Reef Notes" publications. One of the earliest US hobbyists to formally name and document captive coral lineages.
Active period
Active hobbyist-originator since the early 1990s. Tyree's named lineage program predates almost every modern named-zoa vendor in the US trade.
Signature zoanthid strains
Tyree Sunny D (the original yellow-mouth, orange-skirt zoa - benchmark of named zoa coloration), Tyree Watermelon, Lime in the Sky, True Bloodshots, Captain America origin lineage.
Beyond zoas
Documented dozens of LE (Limited Edition) coral lineages across SPS, LPS, and softie families. Many "named" corals widely traded today are derivatives of Tyree's original LE program.
Typical price
$30-100 per polyp for current Tyree lineage stock, $150-200+ per polyp for verified origin frags of Sunny D and Watermelon from documented Tyree colonies.
Keeper notes
The historic provenance choice. Original Tyree lineage frags carry collector value beyond pattern - they're the foundational reference for named US zoa lineages.
Cherry Corals
Originator
Brad and Diane Syphus, Ohio. Storefront vendor and originator brand. Launched in the early 2010s and rapidly became one of the highest-recognition coral brands in US trade.
Active period
Active since approximately 2011. Defined a wave of high-color, high-contrast zoa releases that set the modern collector market price ceiling.
Signature zoanthid strains
Krakatoa (rainbow-burst origin from Cherry), Cherry Charms, Cherry Bombs, Pink Hippos lineage, multiple WYSIWYG named release polyps drop-tagged at the time of frag.
Beyond zoas
Cherry Strawberry Shortcake Acropora and Cherry Rainbow Millepora are two of the most-recognized SPS strains in the US hobby. Cherry's brand reach across SPS, zoa, and LPS is broader than most originator-only lineages.
Typical price
$40-150 per polyp for current Cherry lineage zoas, $200-300+ per polyp for Krakatoa, Pink Hippos, and other top-tier named releases.
Keeper notes
The modern brand-recognition choice. WYSIWYG frag sales mean you see the exact piece you're buying. Cherry-tagged stock holds resale value at the high end across forum and Facebook group secondary markets.
Husbandry overlap
Both lineages cover Zoanthus sp. and Palythoa sp. polyps with identical husbandry. Lighting 80-150 PAR depending on color saturation goals - higher PAR drives pop in reds, oranges, and yellows while excess can bleach pinks and purples. Low to medium flow, no direct blast. Parameters: alkalinity 8-9 dKH, calcium 420-440, magnesium 1300-1400. Both happily reproduce by stolon expansion on stable rock and frag plug substrate. Zoas of either lineage can carry palytoxin - always wear gloves and eye protection when fragging, never boil rock with zoa tissue attached. Acclimate over 30-60 minutes drip and quarantine for 14 days minimum before adding to a display.
Pick by intent
Choose Tyree if
You're a collector and provenance matters. Original Tyree lineage frags are reference specimens - they ground the named-zoa market. Sunny D, Watermelon, and Lime in the Sky are origin pieces, not pattern copies. Slightly harder to source than current commercial releases but documented chain-of-custody adds long-term value.
Choose Cherry Corals if
You want a brand-tagged WYSIWYG buying experience and the modern high-color named-zoa look. Krakatoa-tier Cherry frags hold resale strongly and the catalog refreshes constantly with new named releases. Best fit for collectors building a current-decade signature display rather than a historic lineage tank.
Both lineages available from Fast Aquatics vendors
Named zoa frag availability rotates per drop - subscribe to alerts on specific strains to be notified when restocked.