Purple Star Polyp
Pachyclavularia violacea
Pachyclavularia violacea produces purple polyps with eight feathery tentacles arranged in a star shape. The encrusting stolon is thick and dark purple. Polyps are about 1 cm in diameter. They retract quickly when stressed. The purple color is intense under blue light. It can cover large areas. It is often used as a background coral in reef aquariums.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–27 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 |
| GH | 8–12 |
| KH | 8–12 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.1 |
Care
Care notes
Temperature 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025. Moderate to high light, moderate to high flow. Calcium 400-450 ppm, magnesium 1200-1350 ppm. It feeds mainly through photosynthesis but appreciates phytoplankton. A minimum tank volume of 40 liters is recommended. It can become invasive and overgrow other corals. Trim regularly to control growth. Compatible with peaceful fish.