Polyps

Indo Zoanthids

There are many amazing cool types of polyps, most 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.

A variety of button polyps, sand polyps, star polyps

Most are octocorals, soft corals without a calcerous skeleton. Just the polyp, a rather oversized and sturdy one compared to many others, able to rough it out without a skeleton. Often chemical warfare is not above them however. Some can secrete a deadly toxin (Palytoxin from a Palythoa), though this seems highly limited to types most of us won't get or see. As a rule they are harmless in your tank, but remember everything is best handled with gloves. I have handled a hundred types of zoas, thousands of times, without gloves, without issue. Often with hands full of open clam and rock cuts and slices.





There are the Star Polyps (which are white, green, metallic, or brown) of the genus Pachyclavularia; the Sand Polyps, which are usually Zoanthids or Parazooanthids (which can be green, red, or yellow or amazing combos); and (brown or green) Button Polyps (Palythoa and Protopalythoa); the Daisy and Glove or Clove Polyps (Clavularia); and, the 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!

Almost all polyps will do well under less than halide light ... that is daylight or 50-50's and actinics, compact fluorescents, T5's, 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. Many 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.

Vietnam Ultra Zoanthid Frags






Vietnam Rare, Premium, & Limited


Button Polyps


Green Daisy Polyps


Yellow Polyps


Red Sand Polyps


Pink Sand Polyps


Sand Polyps


Timor Sand Polyps


Star Polyps


Green Star Polyps


Green-centered Star Polyps


White Star Polyps


Star Polyps & Briareum


Briareum (closed on left, open on right)


Star Polyps, Clove Polyps, Briareum
(Far upper left, clockwise)


Briareum & Polyps


Clove Polyps


Clove Polyps (with a Carnation soft coral)

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 see links below 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!