Sympodium
Genus
A soft coral of blue-to-turquoise eight-tentacled polyps spreading as an encrusting mat. Photosynthetic and hardy.
Names & Synonyms
- CommonSympodium
- Commonシンポディウム
- CommonBlue Clove Polyps
Overview
Sympodium is an encrusting octocoral with blue-to-turquoise eight-tentacled polyps that spreads as a thin mat over rock. Its blue coloration is the appeal, showing best under moderate-to-strong light. Photosynthetic, it needs little feeding and keeps under moderate flow. It is prolific and encroaches on neighbors, so place it on a separate rock or watch its spread.
Care Specifications
| Type | Soft coral |
|---|
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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Nutrient Management in Soft Coral Tanks | Balancing Nitrates and Phosphates with Zooxanthellae and Trace Elements
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The characteristic pulsating movements of Xenia (also called pulse corals). This practical guide explains the physiological mechanisms, correlations with feeding, water flow, and nutrient levels, display tips, and the causes and solutions for when pulsation stops.
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