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.
Is green star polyps coral (GSP) a good choice?
The Green Star Polyps Coral is a great indicator of your water quality. If you’ve noticed any unusual behavior check the PH and alkalinity. If you see detritus on the coral you should increase the water flow. In general, GSP is one of the most durable corals, and I’m confident that you’ll have success keeping them healthy.
What is the best water flow for green star polyps?
In higher water flow the Green Star Polyps Coral will thrive, it will grow faster and it will look healthier. Higher flow tends to do better because it will keep detritus from settling on them. Like any other coral, the Green Star Polyps as well requires light to survive.
How do green star polyps spread?
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. You may find yourself frequently needing to trim back the colony to prevent it from overtaking the tank.
What do I feed my green star polyps?
Q: What food do Green Star polyps need? A: These soft corals make their food through photosynthesis, deriving everything they need from the light in the tank. In the wild, the polyps live on shallow reefs and lagoons where they get plenty of natural light, and you can replicate that through the lighting in your tank.
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.
What do GSP corals eat?
GSP corals are partially photosynthetic and get nutrition from their symbiotic zooxanthellae. They also presumably absorb nutrients from the water column, as well, and have historically done well in systems with well-fed fish.
Do green star polyps grow fast?
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. Well maintained and fed GSP can spread up to an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm) each month.
How long can GSP be out of water?
I've taken GSP out of water for over 30 minutes with no ill effect. Once back in the water, it took awhile for it to completely open, but some polyps were out within 15 minutes. I try to keep it under 30 minutes, but they should be able to stay out of water for at least a couple hours without any real problems.
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.
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 green star polyps closed at night?
They do close when the moonlights go off around 4 am though. I wouldn't worry about it, as they are likely feeding.
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.
Do green star polyps sting?
Tank Mates for Green Star Polyps. Green Star Polyps don't sting or release poisons into the water column. They are also beautiful and easy to care for.
How hardy are green star polyps?
They are a hardy soft coral that grows quickly in encrusting mats. They do best in strong flow as their base tends to attract algae growth. Please see below for additional care tips for Star Polyps as well as checking out our Top 5 Tips for setting up a reef.
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 I grow the GSP on my back wall?
Valuable Member. Mine grew from the rock that was placed up against the glass. Don't glue it just place the frag up against the glass and the GSP will grow onto it.
Do green star polyps closed at night?
They do close when the moonlights go off around 4 am though. I wouldn't worry about it, as they are likely feeding.
How do green star polyps attach to rocks?
4:276:43Securing Your GSP | Green Star Polyp - A1A Adventures - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe reason you want to keep a little bit of glue underneath. And not too much as soon when you pressMoreThe reason you want to keep a little bit of glue underneath. And not too much as soon when you press it down it doesn't seep out through the sides as you squish it thus. Making super glue a part of
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.
Which is better for water flow: green star or high water flow?
When it comes to water flow, moderate to high flow will give you the best results. In higher water flow the Green Star Polyps Coral will thrive, it will grow faster and it will look healthier. Higher flow tends to do better because it will keep detritus from settling on them.
Do green star polyps need light?
Like any other coral, the Green Star Polyps as well requires light to survive. However, it is quite adaptable to different varieties of lighting systems. You don’t need to break the budget to have success in taking care of these corals, in terms of lighting.
Do corals need to be fed?
Of course, you can target feed them if you want to see faster growth. In my opinion, it’s not necessary to feed it that often, because it will grow fast either way.
Does placement matter in GSP?
Indeed, perfect placement might seem like it doesn’t matter at the beginning. However, it will have a huge impact down the road. Let me explain it.
Do LPS corals grow fast?
If you provide them with the right conditions, these corals will grow fast and they’ll be invasive to other corals in the tank as well. Not like LPS coral, of course, however, give them plenty of space and they will populate the whole tank.
What are Green Star Polyps (GSP)?
Green star polyps (Pachyclavularia violacea) are a soft coral native to the indo-pacific. They are also known as daisy polyps, star polyps, and starburst polyps.
What happens when water is too strong for green star polyps?
On the other hand, when water flow is too strong, green star polyps are prone to restricting their growth and keeping tentacles retracted into the mat. You see, the ideal water flow for star polyps is moderate but not very intense.
What do coral polyps look like?
You see, when viewed up close, you will find that each of the polyps looks like an individual little flower. The polyps are attached to the main coral by a rubbery mat called a stolon.
What is the best coral for a tank?
You want a coral for your tank that is beautiful, dynamic, and easy to keep alive and propagate. We’ll explain the reasons that the green star polyp may be the ideal coral to meet your needs.
How strong should water flow be for polyps?
Simply put, water flow should be strong enough to move the tentacles around and sweep debris off of the polyps. However, it should not be so strong as to continuously push tentacles in one direction or cause them to retract into the mat.
Can GSP spread to other corals?
Turns out, GSP spread very easily. Care must be taken to place them somewhere that they won’t interfere with other coral species. It is best to place star polyps on a rock that is separate from surfaces where other corals are growing.
Is green star polyp easy to keep?
In our experience, the green star polyp species is very easy to keep. Their easy care, combined with their beautiful color and movement, makes them one of the most popular corals in the reef hobby.
How big of a tank do green star polyps need?
As long as you have stable water parameters it is possible to keep them even in small nano reef tanks like 5 gallons (20 liters).
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 ...
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.
How to limit polyp spread?
The best thing to do to limit polyp spread is to make sure that you plan your tank layout well. If you have a rock that you intend to grow polyps on, keep it away from other rocks. The polyps also tend to grow out and will most likely grow on whatever substrate you are using.
What light do you use to light up polyps?
You can also use traditional T5 fluorescent light . Another light type that may be used are metal Halides, but metal Halides are usually too strong for the polyps and are not recommended.
How to keep green stars from growing?
Another cool trick to keep Green Stars polyps under control is using Aiptasia-X. By adding a line of it on the edges of the polyps, they will stop growing in that directions for some time. However, this is a temporary measure and you will have to repeat the process systematically.
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.
Where do green star polyps grow?
The most common place for them is on live rock. Over time, they will take over the rock and cover it completely. It is best to create an island to grow green star polyps on. To do this, just have a rock that is isolated and not touching anything else. This way, it won’t grow on connecting rocks. Once it does this, it is hard to remove.
How many tentacles does a green star polyp have?
Each polyp has 8 green tentacles, and these would be considered colonial because many polyps will grow together in their environment.
What does a green star coral look like?
These are great soft corals, and once you get an established colony, they will look like a field of green grass flowing in your saltwater reef tank . We will look at some helpful tips, and some information on how to care for green star polyps so that they grow in your tank.
How to frag a GSP?
The proper way to frag GSP’s is to remove the colony from your aquarium, cut off a piece that will fit on a frag plug, and then glue it to the plug with cyanoacrylate (super glue.)
How many tentacles does a polyp have?
Each polyp has 8 green tentacles, and these would be considered colonial because many polyps will grow together in their environment.
How to get GSP off of rock?
The best way to get GSP off of rock is to manually peel them and then use a chisel to remove a bit of the rock. It is difficult to get them all off because even if you leave one polyp, then will grow back.
Where does GSP get its energy from?
GSP get their energy from zooxanthellae that live in their tissue. Zooxanthellae is a photosynthetic algae that forms a symbiotic relationship with corals, and they provide energy and waste removal for corals in exchange for housing and protection.
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.
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 ).
How to frag coral?
If you line up a few pieces of live rock rubble touching the surface of the green star polyps, the polyps will grow out from the base rock and encrust the new surface. Then you can free up the frags by cutting the stolon with a knife or scissors.
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).
ID & Appearance
- GPSs have the scientific name (Pachyclavularia violacea), but you will also see them listed as starburst polyps or daisy polyps. Each individual polyp has eight delicate, thin green tentacles that come in a range of shades from dark green to neon to almost yellow. At the center of each grou…
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. The most important things are to ensure proper water parameters, keep the lighting and water flow rates moderate, and consider the suitability of the coral’s placement.
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. These single-celled organisms churn away, producing food for the coral through photosynthesis in exchange for a protected environment and nutrients needed for photosynthesis. If you feed your fish regularly and well, th…
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. You may find yourself frequently needing to trim back the colony to prevent it from overtaking the tank. The coral can be fragmentedeasily. Set a rock next to the col…
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. Well maintained and fed GSP can spread up to an inch or two(2.5 to 5 cm) each month. Fragment the colony or trim any mat extensions as needed to control growth.
Closing Thoughts
- The green star polyp is our top choice for a beginner’s soft coral. You cannot do better than this hardy, easy to feed, fragment, and absolutely gorgeous specimen. Add in their gentle personality and ability to pair with many other reef-safe species, and you everything you need for a great-looking, peaceful reef aquarium. Do you have green star polyps in your tank? Where in the tank d…