
Do you need to feed green star polyps?
Do You Need to Feed Green Star Polyps? Yes, you should feed your GSP. All corals are animals. This sometimes gets forgotten since we focus so much on having the right amount of light. But it’s generally best to feed your corals. When disturbed, polyps can fully retract into the stolon for protection.
Are green button polyps easy to take care of?
The Green Button Polyps are easy to care for as long as they have proper lighting and water flow, and adequate nutrition. They are found in the Pacific Ocean where they inhabit intertidal rocky shores and reef flats. Lighting that is too intense is not to their liking.
What fish can live with green button polyps?
Green Button Polyps are not an aggressive species. They can be kept in the company of small peaceful coral reef fish and shrimp, and hermit crabs. Other good tank mates include small tangs and blennies that will feed on filamentous algae.
How do you get star polyps to grow back?
In these cases, you can give your polyps coral food a few times each week to encourage growth. Green star polyps spread by “encrusting” growth, which means this coral will grow onto, or encrust, any surface it contacts. This includes rocks, decorations in the tank, other corals, and even the aquarium glass.

Do you feed green star polyps?
If you feed your fish regularly and well, then your GSPs will filter other nutrients from the water column. There is little need to spot feed unless your coral is new or your tank is not mature. In these cases, you can give your polyps coral food a few times each week to encourage growth.
Do you need to feed button polyps?
Diet. Button polyps feed on bacteria, dissolved organic matter, and algae. They can also be fed small amounts of coral food like brine shrimp or zooplankton, but this is usually not required. Some button polyps require zooxanthellae for energy, which means they need bright light to help supply this type of nourishment.
Where do you put Green Star polyps?
However, the best placement for green star polyps in a reef tank is in an area with moderate flow and lighting. As shown in these images, colonies like to spread out along the back and side walls of the aquarium glass. They will tend to expand and retract over time.
How fast does Green Star polyps grow?
1 inch per month is decent growth rate also.
What do button polyps eat?
They can tolerate a stronger water flow. Found in the Pacific, it has brown polyps that are connected at the base by stolons. They feed at night on zooplankton and other particles in the water column. They will bury themselves in the sand part way and like a quiet water flow.
Do I need to feed zoanthids?
Like others had said, you don't need to feed them as they will feed off light, water, and fish waste but if you want to feed them make sure you feed as little as possible. It's very easy to get too much nutrients in the water and have algae blooms and poor water quality.
What eats green star polyps?
Harlequin shrimp will do the trick. The only problem is they will eat all your starfish and die when there's no more to eat. I'm sorry, but don't Harlequin shrimp only eat starfish!
How do you make green star polyps grow faster?
5:4017:47CARPETING Green Star Polyps {GROWTH TIPS!!}, Manhattan ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when I say between medium to high light. If possible go for higher light that is assuming thatMoreSo when I say between medium to high light. If possible go for higher light that is assuming that you actually want to grow the GSP.
How much flow do green star polyps like?
moderate water flowFluorescent Green Star Polyps require moderate water flow and moderate lighting (PAR 130-250) to maintain their color. T5's, Metal Halides, or LED's can all grow Green Star Polyps when the proper PAR levels are provided. We recommend a 14-20K color spectrum for best coloration.
Do peppermint shrimp eat green star polyps?
0:296:07Green Star Polyps Being Eaten? ( Jeopardized By Peppermint Shrimp ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey eat it which is good it keeps the cycle going and growing right.MoreThey eat it which is good it keeps the cycle going and growing right.
Are green star polyps aggressive?
Green Star Polyps are one of the more aggressive coral species out there. They don't rely on chemical warfare as Toadstool Corals do nor do they release far-reaching sweeper tentacles at night like Torch Corals. Instead, the warfare strategy Green Star Polyps use is “expand and overwhelm” the adversary.
Can green star polyps grow on sand?
Yes it can grow on sand. GSP can also start psuedobranching trying to grow outward from a surface if there's nowhere else for it to grow.
How do you frag button polyps?
0:492:10How To Frag Green Star Polyps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake your small little coral prop frag. Put that on there let it stay for a little bit y'all a lotMoreTake your small little coral prop frag. Put that on there let it stay for a little bit y'all a lot of these corals can't be out of water for a good few minutes. But check out your coral.
What are button polyps?
Button Polyp Corals are a colonial animal with multiple individual polyps attached to a piece of live rock or coral rubble. Over time with proper aquarium conditions Button Polyp Corals will grow out with more and more colonies being produced and over time can create a mat or carpet like appearance.
How do you care for Kenya tree coral?
1:063:11Corals for Beginners - Kenya Tree Coral - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd does very well under a variety of different types of lighting indirect water flow is fine andMoreAnd does very well under a variety of different types of lighting indirect water flow is fine and moderate lighting works great for this coral.
Where are green star polyps found?
Natural Range for Green Star Polyps. GSPs are native to the rubble areas of reefs and lagoons and are often found with Xenia and Clavularia. They commonly stick to areas with nutrient-rich waters and a low water flow ( Borneman 2001 ).
What is a green star polyp?
Green star polyps (GSPs) are an excellent beginner soft coral and may work best as an ideal first coral choice.
What is the scientific name for green star polyps?
The scientific name for green star polyps (GSP) is Pachyclavularia violacea. Other names are starburst polyps, star polyps, and daisy polyps. According to Borneman, in Aquarium Corals, green star polyps were one time thought to be Clavularia viridis, but this turned out to be a misidentification. They are octocorallians.
How to keep green star corals from growing?
Standard aquarium water parameters are perfect for these corals. Keep your water temperature stable – around 78F. Use a high-quality reef salt mix, like Instant Ocean, and maintain a specific gravity of around 1.025. Top off the tank with moderate-to-strong LED lights and at least low-to-moderate water flow. After a few months, you’ll have to trim your green star polyps back to keep them from growing over everything.
Where should I put green star coral?
However, the best placement for green star polyps in a reef tank is in an area with moderate flow and lighting.
Can GSPs grow in aquariums?
GSPs will grow up aquarium glass or the overflow. They can encrust wires or tubes, allowing you to turn any surface inside your aquarium into a fuzzy, living mat. My green star polyps have grown up the tank’s back wall in my display tank (technically an overflow).
Do green star polyps have tentacles?
Unlike some coral species, green star polyps don’t have stinging tentacles, called nematocysts. So they are relatively peaceful and compatible with other coral species. GSPs grow quickly and encrust on anything within reach, including other corals.
Where are green star polyps native to?
It’s native to the Indo Pacific Ocean, where it inhabits rubble areas of reef and lagoons. Taking care of the GSP won’t be a difficult task. It’s pretty straightforward.
What does GSP look like in aquarists?
Some aquarists want a field of GSP laying on the bottom looking like grass. In some cases, you’ll see tanks with green star polyps back wall. Others want that coral in the tank, but not all over it. In that case, isolated islands are the best solution.
Is Green Star Polyps coral good?
Conclusion. No doubt that the Green Star Polyps Coral is a great coral to start with if you want to keep corals, without having prior knowledge before. It’s relatively inexpensive, available almost everywhere and if you make an early mistake won’t cause you too much. No one wants to lose corals and that’s a fact.
Can you grow GSP coral on every surface?
In that case, isolated islands are the best solution. Once you’ve figured out what is your goal, it will get easier from that point. Bottom line is that the GSP coral is one of the hardiest among them and will grow on almost every surface. When it comes to water flow, moderate to high flow will give you the best results.
ID & Appearance
GPSs have the scientific name ( Pachyclavularia violacea ), but you will also see them listed as starburst polyps or daisy polyps.
Habitat
These corals favor the waters of shallow reefs and lagoons in the Indo-Pacific region, where the water flow is moderate to high, and the lighting is intense.
Care
Green star polyps are excellent beginner corals. This hardy species is easy to care for and does not require special equipment, lighting, or food.
Tank Mates
These easy-going corals can live in a tank with any number of reef-safe species. Some favorite fish to pair with GSPs are clownfish, blennies, and gobies.
Feeding
Not only is this coral hardy and easy to care for, but it is also easy to feed. Most of its nutrients come from its symbiotic relationship with the tiny zooxanthellae.
Propagation and Fragging
Green star polyps spread by “encrusting” growth, which means this coral will grow onto, or encrust, any surface it contacts. This includes rocks, decorations in the tank, other corals, and even the aquarium glass.
Growth Rate
Because of the fast growth rate of green star polyps, make sure there is a barrier of some type between the colony and anything you do not wish to have your corals grow over.
What light do green star polyps need?
The Green Star Polyps require moderate to high light . If it is possible, go for higher intensity lighting conditions. More intense lighting often results in brighter more intense coloration. Actinic blue lighting will bring out the color of your polyps but Green Star Polyps can survive with most types of light.
What additives should be avoided in a green star polyp tank?
Toxic Additives to Green Star Polyps. Knowing what additives should be avoided is also crucial to your tank. Iodine and Aluminum Oxide (which can be found in certain phosphate removal sponges) should be avoided as additives because the additives can cause adverse effects.
What corals can you put on the green star polyps?
You can put aggressive corals (like Frogspawn, Torch corals or something similar) along the perimeter of the Green Star Polyps. They will sting away the GSP and prevent any expansion.
Why do green star polyps retract?
Green Star Polyps can retract into the mat (also called a stolon) when they sense a disturbance. A disturbance can be caused by trimming or cutting the coral, and fragging. The polyps may also retract at night time or when they are feeling stressed.
What is a green star polyp?
Written by Michael in Corals, Home. Green Star Polyps (Pachyclavularia sp.) are a type of soft coral that is a fan-favorite for both beginner and advanced aquarium hobbyists. Green Star Polyps are easy to raise, spread easily, and can be found both online or in pet shops. Love them or hate them, it is not possible to deny ...
Where do green star polyps live?
Natural Habitat of the Green Star Polyps. The Pachyclavularia Genus of Green Star Polyps are normally found in the Indo-Pacific oceans. The polyps dwell in reefs and lagoons around rubble, usually near Xenia and clavularia. The waters they are found in usually have low water flow and are high in nutrients.
Can GSP be used in dirty water?
That is why people often mistakenly say that GSP do best in dirty water. Please, do not confuse dirty water and nutrient rich environment. Dirty water is just a recipe for disaster in the long run. Although Green Star Polyps are pretty resilient and can tolerate a dirty tank, it will not end well anyway.
