Green Tip Star Polyps Coral

Green Tip Star Polyps, Pachyclavularia sp., are colonial octocorals known for their spreading mat growth and distinctive star-shaped polyps. This WYSIWYG colony displays dark burgundy to purple-brown polyp bases contrasted by bright fluorescent yellow-green tentacle tips and pale white to cream centers. Each extended polyp has eight tentacles, characteristic of octocorals, creating a small starburst appearance across the colony. Under favorable reef aquarium conditions, Star Polyps can spread steadily across nearby hard substrate and form dense mats of waving polyps. They contain symbiotic zooxanthellae that provide much of their nutritional requirements through photosynthesis while also utilizing dissolved nutrients and very fine suspended foods. Because species-level identification from appearance alone is not reliable, Pachyclavularia sp. is the appropriately conservative scientific designation.

Care Guide: Pachyclavularia sp. is generally hardy and well suited to beginner and intermediate reef aquariums. Provide low to moderate lighting and moderate, indirect water movement that keeps the polyps gently moving without continuously blasting the colony. Because Star Polyps can spread rapidly across adjacent rockwork, placing the colony on an isolated rock can help control future growth. Maintain stable temperature, salinity, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. Most nutritional needs are supplied through photosynthesis, although the colony can also utilize dissolved nutrients and very fine suspended foods. Keep detritus and nuisance algae from accumulating on the connecting mat, since these can interfere with polyp extension and colony growth.