Glove Polyps (Clavularia sp.) Care Guide

Clavularia, the clove or glove polyps, is an encrusting octocoral whose stolon-linked polyps form a colourful mat in reef tanks.

Overview

Clavularia is a genus of soft corals in the family Clavulariidae, known in the hobby as glove polyps or clove polyps. Polyps are connected by a stolon mat and each bears eight pinnate tentacles, in clover-like clusters. Australian morphs in yellow or green are especially prized.

Taxonomy

Family: Clavulariidae
Order: Malacalcyonacea
Class: Octocorallia
Scientific name: Clavularia sp.
Authority of genus: Blainville, 1830

Habitat

The genus is widely distributed, with the reef-aquarium morphs originating from tropical Indo-Pacific waters where they encrust hard substrate. WoRMS recognises a large number of accepted species in the genus.

Tank requirements

Temperature: 24-26 C (75-79 F)
pH: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness (KH): 8-11 dKH
Calcium: 380-450 ppm
Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
Lighting: ~50-175 PAR (medium)
Flow: low
Minimum tank maturity: 3 months

Feeding

Clavularia is photosynthetic, drawing most of its energy from symbiotic zooxanthellae and supplementing with dissolved nutrients absorbed from the water. Routine target feeding is not necessary.

Compatibility

It is passive and reef-safe, compatible with fish and shrimp. As an encrusting coral it spreads over rock and is best kept on isolated rockwork.