Description
Green Star Polyps (GSPs), also known as Pachyclavularia violacea or Briareum, are a popular soft coral known for their vibrant green or yellowish-green tentacles and a purple or blue base. They form a mat-like colony and are generally considered easy to care for. GSPs are popular with reef aquarium enthusiasts.
Here's a more detailed description:
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Appearance:
GSPs have multiple polyps attached to a rubbery, purplish-red mat. Each polyp has eight thin, smooth tentacles that can range in color from pale to fluorescent green. They often have a contrasting color (like white or yellow) at the center of the polyp.
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Size:
While they can reach a colony size of up to one foot in diameter, the individual polyps are typically less than 0.5 inches across.
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Behavior:
GSPs are generally open during the day and may retract their tentacles at night or when disturbed.
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Habitat:
They are found in shallow to moderate depths along reef edges in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
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Diet:
GSPs are filter feeders, absorbing organic matter from the water column and also hosting zooxanthellae, which provide them with nutrients through photosynthesis.
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Reproduction:
They can reproduce by forming new polyps at the edge of the mat or by brood larvae
