Clavularia (Glove Polyps) Propagation Guide

Propagating Clavularia glove polyps by dividing the stoloniferous mat or cutting the rock they spread over, with notes on their eight-tentacled octocoral biology.

Overview

Clavularia, the clove or glove polyps, is a genus of stoloniferous soft coral in the family Clavulariidae, an octocoral family of the order Malacalcyonacea. Colonies consist of separate retractable polyps growing from a horizontal encrusting stolon or basal membrane, the tissues stiffened by sclerites. Each polyp carries eight feather-like pinnate tentacles.

Reproductive Mode

The colony spreads as the basal stolon advances over substrate, so propagation in the aquarium is asexual and based on dividing this spreading mat.

Fragging / Asexual Propagation

Clavularia is straightforward to propagate: frags are made by pulling colonies apart, clipping or sawing the rock the stolon has spread over, or simply cutting the basal membrane with a blade or scissors. The separated piece is then secured to a clean plug or rock until the stolon re-attaches and resumes spreading.

Conditions for Propagation

Clavularia is tolerant of low water flow and medium to low lighting, so frags establish readily under the lighting, flow and water parameters recorded for this species in the knowledge base.

Common Challenges

The polyps are retractable and may stay closed for a period after fragging while the stolon re-attaches, so a freshly cut frag can look dormant before it settles and the polyps reopen.