Briareum (Green Star Polyp Relative)
Briareum sp.Blainville, 1834Genus
Soft coral related to Green Star Polyps. Green polyps emerge from purple encrusting mat. Extremely hardy and fast-growing, spreading aggressively over rock and walls.
Names & Synonyms
- CommonBriareum (Green Star Polyp Relative)
- Commonブライアレウム（スターポリプ近縁）
- SynonymAsbestia
- SynonymBriarea
- SynonymPachyclavularia
- SynonymSolenopodium
- SynonymVioa
Overview
Briareum (family Briareidae) is an octocoral (soft coral) distributed across tropical reefs of the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean, closely related to star polyps. Star-shaped polyps bearing eight feathery tentacles grow densely over a spreading mat of stolons, swaying attractively in the current. Colors include browns, greens, and creams, with some specimens fluorescing under UV light. It is very easy to keep, tolerating a wide range of light and flow as a hardy soft coral. It grows vigorously and will overgrow live rock if left unchecked, so trim periodically to control spread. Fragging is as simple as cutting sections of stolon, making it a popular beginner species. Give it room since it can spread onto and contact neighboring corals.
Care Specifications
| Type | Soft coral |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24〜27℃ |
| Specific gravity | 1.023〜1.025 |
| Salinity | 33〜35 ppt |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 8〜12 dKH |
| Lighting | Medium |
| Water flow | Medium |
| Placement | Any |
Care Points
- Lighting—Adapts to low through high light. Very hardy
- Flow—Tolerates weak to strong flow
- Propagation—Spreads naturally without intervention. Cut to control
- Notes—Extremely aggressive grower. Must manage to prevent smothering other corals
Regulatory & Conservation
- Notes:
- 八放サンゴ(Briareum, Briareidae=スターポリプ近縁)。CITES 掲載科(Helioporidae/Tubiporidae/Coralliidae)に非該当→附属書非掲載。日本法も非該当。
Sources
- AlgaeBarn: SPS/LPS/soft care(careSpec)
- AlgaeBarn: Water Parameters 101(careSpec)
- DOC NZ / CITES-listed corals(掲載科に Briareidae 含まず)(regulatory)
- Wikipedia(detail)
Related corals of the same type
Antheliaアンセリア（ウェービングハンド）softBeginnerA soft coral whose feathery polyps sway in flow. Similar to Xenia but with larger, always-open polyps; very hardy.
Leather CoralウミキノコsoftBeginnerSoft coral with large mushroom-shaped cap. Hardy and fast-growing. Periodically sheds mucus to remove old tissue.
Sinularia (Finger Leather Coral)ウミキノコモドキsoftBeginnerFinger-shaped branching soft coral. Related to leather corals and equally hardy. Cream, green, brown color varieties. Similar to Toadstool but with branching form.
Toadstool CoralカタトサカsoftBeginnerBranching soft coral that is hardy with diverse color variations. Easy to frag and propagate.
Pulsing Xeniaキサンゴ（パルスコーラル）softBeginnerUnique soft coral with pulsing polyps that rhythmically open and close. Mesmerizing movement. Hardy and proliferates quickly.
Green Star PolypグリーンスターポリプsoftBeginnerA hardy soft coral with green star-shaped polyps on a mat. Beautiful fluorescent green.Related care articles
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