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Clove polyps

Clavularia

Also known as Clove Polyp, Glove Polyp, Clavularia Polyps

SaltwaterCoral

Clove polyps (Clavularia)
User:Haplochromis · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Photosynthetic
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
Easy
Rarity
Very common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Clavulariidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs

Overview

Clove polyps form a reef-safe octocoral colony that spreads slowly but steadily across rock on a creeping stolon. They are an easy first coral.

Did you know

Clove polyps spread more slowly than fast movers like green star polyps or xenia. Once a colony reaches the main aquascape, though, it can be just as stubborn to remove.

Caring for the clove polyps

Give clove polyps low to moderate light, roughly 50 to 150 PAR, and moderate to strong flow. The flow keeps the connecting stolon clean and the polyps swaying. Mount them on rock rather than sand, since the stolon cannot cross bare substrate.

They need a tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Clove polyps are photosynthetic and rarely need feeding, though they will take fine meaty foods if offered.

They have no sweeper tentacles and will not chemically attack neighbors. Their creeping growth can still overgrow slower corals nearby in time. Like other mat-forming star polyps, they need their own isolated rock or a sand moat. That keeps the mat from creeping into the rest of the aquascape.

Propagation is simple. Cut a piece of stolon with a few polyps attached, and let it re-anchor on a new rock.

Good to know

Clavularia is a colonial soft coral in the family Clavulariidae. Green star polyps (Pachyclavularia violacea) sit in a separate family, Briareidae, though the trade loosely calls both star or clove polyps. Each polyp carries the eight pinnate tentacles typical of an octocoral. Every polyp rises on its own stalk from a shared stolon. That gives the colony a more open, spaced-out look than the dense turf of green star polyps. Clavularia draws most of its energy from zooxanthellae, and it can pull each polyp down into its base when disturbed.

In the wild

Clove polyps grow on Indo-Pacific reef flats and lagoons, anchored to rock and rubble.

Common questions

What size tank do clove polyps need?

Clove polyps need at least 11 gal (40 L).

What temperature and pH do clove polyps need?

Clove polyps are comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What do clove polyps eat?

Clove polyps are photosynthetic and rarely need feeding. They will take fine meaty foods if you offer them.

How big do clove polyps get?

Clove polyps reach about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Related species