Green Star Polyps

Pachyclavularia sp

Saltwater Coral Species Group: Briareidae Soft Coral Family: Tubiporidae

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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 Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While 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 Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It 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 Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Green Star Polyps

General information

In general, soft corals coming from the genus Clavularia has many individual polyps that is binded altogether in one colony. They are a small-sized colony averaging only 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in height. They are ideal for newbie aquarist since they have no calcified skeleton making them highly tolerant to nutrient fluctuation, especially when it comes to calcium, magnesium and alkalinity of the water.

As for the Green Star Polyps, they are predominantly colored green with violet mouth. This are the water parameters for cultivating Green Star Polyps:

  • Calcium: 420 – 430 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 3.21 – 3.57 MEQ/L (9 10 dKH)
  • Phosphates: 0
  • Magnesium: 1280 – 1350
  • Strontium: 8 -10 mg/L
  • Temperature: 77° – 81° F (25° 27° C)
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
  • pH: 8.0 – 8.4

Diet & nutrition

While the Green Star Polyps gets it primary nourishment from a symbiotic zooxanthellae living within its tissues, the require supplemental feeding like mysis or brine shrimp.

Determining sex

The Green Star Polyps should be set either at the bottom or at the middle part of the tank.

Breeding & spawning

The Green Star Polyps requires moderate lighting and moderate waterflow.

Origination

The Green Star Polyps are found in the waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Cautions

While the Green Star Polyps has a peaceful behavior, you have to give them enough space since they release a slime coat that is harmful to other corals and irritating to a human skin. You should wear gloves in handling them. They don't need too much light, otherwise they will die and will be eaten by both fish and invertebrates.

Acclimation process

Green Star Polyps are purely marine species. Therefore, salinity must be entirely maintained from 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.

All photos

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