Green star polyps
Pachyclavularia violacea
Also known as GSP, Star Polyps, Briareum, Daisy Polyps
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Very common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Briareidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific reefs
Overview
Green star polyps are a sessile, encrusting soft coral for a reef tank. They are a good first coral, as long as you control their spread.
Did you know
Green star polyps extend or shorten with the light. They stay compact under bright light and stretch under dim light, and the green fluoresces hardest under blue actinics.
Caring for the green star polyps
Green star polyps are highly adaptable and tolerate low to high light. They prefer moderate to strong flow, which keeps them clean. 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.
They have no strong stinging tentacles and will not chemically harm neighbors. They compete by overgrowth instead, encrusting outward over live rock, glass and the bases of slower corals. They are among the fastest and most invasive spreaders of the soft corals.
Keep them on a detached island rock, separated from the main aquascape. Once they creep onto the main rockwork, they are nearly impossible to fully remove without pulling the rock.
Good to know
Green star polyps are an octocoral in the family Briareidae, and each polyp carries eight feathery tentacles. The genus Pachyclavularia is often treated as synonymous with Briareum. When disturbed, the polyps retract into their shared mat, called a stolon.
In the wild
Green star polyps come from Indo-Pacific reefs. There they form a purple encrusting mat that sprouts bright green, feathery polyps.
Common questions
What size tank do green star polyps need?
Green star polyps need at least 11 gal (40 L).
What temperature and pH do green star polyps need?
Green star polyps are comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big do green star polyps get?
Green star polyps reach about 7.9 in (20 cm).
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