Knopia (Knopia octocontacanalis) Care Guide
Knopia octocontacanalis, the jasmine or daisy polyp, is a compact Indo-Pacific octocoral forming dense mats of feathery polyps.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Knopia octocontacanalis, traded as jasmine or daisy polyps, is a soft coral that forms dense mats of tightly packed polyps with feathery tentacles, creating a soft, waving carpet. The genus and species were described in 2007 from Indo-Pacific material.
Taxonomy
- Family: Clavulariidae
- Order: Malacalcyonacea
- Class: Octocorallia
- Scientific name: Knopia octocontacanalis
- Authority: Alderslade & McFadden, 2007
- Note: described as a pinnule-less Indo-Pacific clavulariid; the genus is monotypic with this type species.
Habitat
The species is of Indo-Pacific origin, where these encrusting octocorals settle on hard reef substrate. In the aquarium it is best placed in the lower to middle region where lighting is not too intense and flow is gentle but consistent.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: ~100 L
- 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: ~50-150 PAR (medium)
- Flow: low
- Minimum tank maturity: 3 months
Feeding
Knopia is photosynthetic, relying chiefly on symbiotic zooxanthellae. Supplemental amino acids and phytoplankton may support growth, but the coral does not require heavy target feeding.
Compatibility
It is passive and reef-safe, compatible with fish and shrimp. Provide gentle, consistent flow and avoid placing it directly under the most intense light.
Knopia octocontacanalis Propagation Guide
Overview
Knopia octocontacanalis, known in the hobby as the Jasmine coral, is the only member of the genus Knopia and was described as recently as 2007. Its closest relative is the clove polyp genus Clavularia, with both carrying eight tentacles; in Knopia the pinnules are fused rather than frilly. The coral is predominantly brown with a green centre on each polyp that glows neon under blue light, and it is an encrusting soft coral that spreads across rockwork.
Reproductive Mode
As an encrusting coral that spreads over rock, Knopia is propagated asexually by dividing the spreading colony, in the same manner as its clove polyp relatives.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Because the colony encrusts and spreads, a frag is taken by cutting through the encrusting base or by letting the colony grow onto adjacent rock or plugs and separating them, then securing the piece to a clean surface until it re-attaches and resumes spreading.
Conditions for Propagation
Knopia is regularly farmed and shipped from Indonesia and is a forgiving space-filler in new tanks. Most guidance favours lower flow and lower light, but specimens have also thrived near 250 PAR and pump outlets, so frags adapt across the parameters recorded for this species in the knowledge base. It is non-aggressive and coexists with Clavularia, Briareum and Xenia.
Common Challenges
Farmed colonies benefit from a pest dip before fragging, as the coral is vulnerable to Phyllodesmium sea slugs that mimic its appearance and feed on it.