How to Care for Polyp Coral

Polyp corals are an excellent addition to a saltwater reef aquarium, as they add color and provide an interesting display. There are many types of polyp coral and most are fairly hardy. Button and star polyps are some of the easiest to maintain and come in a wide variety of colors. Most polyps have similar care requirements, but some species are faster growing and are much easier to propagate.

  1. Temperature and Lighting

    • Polyp coral requires moderate lighting. Some species can tolerate low lighting but are less likely to thrive as they contain symbiotic algae which need light to photosynthesize and provide nutrition to the polyp. If the light is too low, the coral will lose color. Different species come from different regions, which have varying ranges of temperature fluctuations, but in general the water temperatures range from 76 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Water Flow and Quality

    • Polyp corals prefer moderate water motion. Excessive water flow can prevent them from opening fully. Although most nutritional requirements are provided through photosynthesis, they are filter feeders and need some water movement. They need clear water to thrive, as sediment or too much plankton that clouds the water will decrease the amount of light reaching them. Sediment can also settle on them and smother them. They will deteriorate if nutrient levels in the water are high.

    Feeding

    • Polyps can catch small fish and plankton with their tentacles, but they get most of their nutritional requirements from algae that live in their tissue in a symbiotic relationship. These photosynthesize and give color to the polyp coral. They do not need feeding to survive, but if you give them a weekly feed of micro-plankton or baby brine shrimp, they are more likely to actively grow. There are several plankton solutions available from aquarium suppliers that are recommended for polyp coral.

    Propagation

    • You can create new polyp colonies to place in different areas of your aquarium by cutting a few polyps from the main colony and placing them on a gravel bed in an area of low water flow. They will attach themselves to pieces of gravel, which you can then glue to the piece of rock you want them to grow on. You can trade these new colonies with other people to get different species.