Brown Button Polyp
Protopalythoa sp
Saltwater Coral
Species Group: Palythoa
Family: Zoanthidae
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Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Brown Button Polyp
General information
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<div class="more_detail">In general, corals coming from the genus Palythoa are classified as zoanthids with colonies that are embedded hard in the substrate and is often covered by its protruding polyps. Each polyp has an oral disc or mouth that is flat in shape and surrounded by a fringe of tentacles.</div>
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<div class="more_detail">For the Brown Button Polyp, they are predominantly colored brown with white mouth. This are the water paramaters in cultivating Brown Button Polyp:</div>
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<li>Calcium: 380 – 430 ppm</li>
<li>Alkalinity: 3.2 – 4.5 MEQ/L</li>
<li>Phosphates: 0</li>
<li>Magnesium: 1250 – 1300 ppm</li>
<li>Strontium: 8 – 10</li>
<li><span class="subListHeading1">Temperature: </span>72° – 82° F (22° – 27° C)</li>
<li><span class="subListHeading1">Salinity / Specific Gravity:</span> 1.023 – 1.025</li>
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Diet & nutrition
In the wild, Brown Button Polyp has developed a symbiotic feeding relationship with marine algae called zooxanthellae. But in captivity, you have to feed them with nanoplankton or dissolved organics.
Determining sex
A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Brown Button Polyp. They should be set in the middle or top part of the tank where they will receive the most amount of light.
Breeding & spawning
Brown Button Polyp requires strong lighting and moderate waterflow.
Diseases
While the Brown Button Polyp are easy to maintain, you have to be alert for filamentous algae that can overgrow and smother their polyps. They are also prone to box snail which feeds on them, so you need to remove this particular snail from the tank. You also have to look out for large crustaceans and fish like angelfish and butterflyfish that nibbles on their tentacles.
Origination
Brown Button Polyp are abundant and can be found in the waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Cautions
Brown Button Polyp are known to posses high levels of palytoxin and vibrio bacteria especially in their mucus. So, you need to wear gloves in handling them.
Acclimation process
Brown Button Polyp are purely marine. So, therefore, salinity must be maintained thoroughly at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.
All photos
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