Polyps
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There are so many cool types
of polyps that are
very easy to keep and grow.
All are colonial or semi-colonial.

The two main types are those that grow with connecting material (tissue) at their bases and those that grow as independent, single animals, not connected into a large mass.

Though many types
superficially resemble
one another, they are
often not closely related.

Most are octocorals,
soft corals without
a calcerous skeleton.







Above three photos: Button Polyps
A variety of Star Polyps shown below.

There are the Star Polyps (which are white, green, metallic, or brown) of the genus Pachyclavularia; the Sand Polyps, which are usually Zooanthids or Parazooanthids (which can be green, red, or yellow); and (brown or green) Button Polyps (Palythoa and Protopalythoa); the Daisy and Glove or Clove Polyps (Clavularia); and, the rare Pacific Briareum, and others.

Note, that even amongst similar-appearing star polyps, there is tremendous variation of form and, actually, undoubtedly, many species involved. They all share one thing in common ... they are easy to keep!







Also, they all will do well under less than halide light ... that is daylight, or 50-50's and actinics, compact fluorescents, HO and VHO, will all suit them just fine. Water flow and movement is more important, as is often the case. I feed them my "free invert food" and it seems they quite like it.





There are short-tentacled
and long-stalked types;
long-tentacled and short-stalked
varieties; colored tentacled,
stalked, or centered types.

Most polyps are shipped to the U.S. dry, out of water. This is because they are attached to big heavy rocks that weigh a lot already. Star, Button, and Sand Polyps, as well as Yellow Polyps are all shipped from across the Pacific out of water.



Some are wrapped in wet newspaper, some are not. There are virtually no DOA's whatsoever. If only everything in water shipped so well! They often live in tidal areas where they are dry for part of their day routinely. Although, Clove or Glove and Daisy Polyps must be shipped in water.







So, here we offer a selection of photographs of the different types of polyps that are widely available.   Hopefully this can help you identify them as well as see their beauty too.

Polyps add beauty and color to a marine aquarium or mini reef, are easily cared for and admired. If you are interested in learning about ordering an assortment of polyps (along with other coral varieties), please refer to our Corals Information page for more details.

Polyp colonies or polyp rocks are generally a piece that is approx. 3 x 5" to 4 x 6" with usually a hundred or even often a couple of hundred of polyps (depending on the type of polyps.)

Except when the fancy rare super-colored types, when you get a smaller piece for more money. If we all wanted brown, those would cost most, but since red and blue is our heart's desire, those are. With them you may get a 2 x 2" piece with 25 to 50 polyps.



Enjoy your polyps!

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A couple of related articles ...
Leathers
Mushrooms



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© www.livestockusa.org 2003-2011