Pachyclavularia violacea
| Care Level | Easy — great beginner coral |
| Lighting | Low to moderate |
| Water Flow | Moderate |
| Placement | Anywhere — rock or a dedicated island |
| Aggression | Peaceful, but spreads aggressively |
| Coloration | Bright green polyps on a purple mat |
Overview
Green Star Polyps (GSP) are one of the hardiest and most popular beginner corals, forming a spreading purple encrusting mat covered in shimmering green polyps that sway beautifully in the current. They are extremely forgiving of imperfect water and lighting, making them a favorite first coral.
Care & Placement
GSP will grow on almost any surface under low-to-moderate light and flow. Because it encrusts and spreads rapidly, many keepers place it on an isolated rock or island so it does not overgrow neighboring corals. If the polyps stay retracted for days, check flow and for irritation from neighbors.
Feeding
Photosynthetic — it meets most of its needs from light via symbiotic zooxanthellae. It benefits from, but does not require, occasional broadcast feeding of coral foods and captures fine particulate matter.
Propagation
Extremely easy to frag — simply cut or peel a section of the mat off the rock with a razor and attach it to a new plug or rock with reef glue. It quickly re-encrusts.
Cautions
A fast spreader that will overgrow and shade out slower corals — give it its own space or trim it back. Otherwise peaceful and non-stinging.