COTM May-'09 Clavularia/clove/glove polyps

Clove polyps (clavularia sp.)

Soft Coral
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Sub-class: Octocorallia
Order: Alcyonacea
Family: Clavulariidae
Genus: Clavularia
Common names: Clove polyps, Glove polyps, Mat polyps, Star polyps, Eight Tentacle polyps,
Origin: Indo Pacific
Temperament: It is said that they are semi-aggressive due mainly to the way in which it spreads. Picture feather caulerpa and its root system. It is this trait that may cause this coral to encroach on a coral that may not take to its liking. I have noticed considerable encroachment on a zoa colony that is neighboring my clove polyp colony. It hasn't caused any damage, but, these corals can co-exist.
Water quality: As with all reef tanks the following are recommended parameters. They tend to be resilient to "less than" desirable conditions. Keep in mind that Living and thriving are 2 completely different things.
Reef parameters and recommended/desired levels.
Salinity/specific gravity-1.025ppm or 35ppt
temp.-78-82
PH-8.1-8.3
Ammonia/NH3-0
Nitrite/NO2-0
Nitrate/NO3-0
Phosphate/PO4-0
Magnesium/Mg-1400-1500ppm
Alk/dKH/KH-7-14.
Calcium/Ca-380-500ppm
Hardiness: These things are pretty resilient. I would recommend them as a great beginner coral.
Flow: Low to moderate flow. I do have random colonies in my tank that are subjected to low and very high current. It doesn't seem to be much of an issue. These corals are also used to turbulent waters where they originate from.
Foods/feeding: These corals are photosynthetic and rely on zooxanthellae/photosynthesis for a main source of food. They will accept small meaty feedings. Current also aids/affects the foods/feedings this coral may also benefit from if target feeding is not practiced.
Lighting requirements: These corals require moderate lighting. They will grow towards lighting and will do very well in brightly lit tanks. I would imagine tha they can easily be kept under power compact lighting.
Frag difficulty: Easy.... This coral can be fragged by cutting it's "root system" where desired. Simply glue to frag plug or other l/r in your aquarium. Rubble can also be placed near existing colonies for a more patient approach. These corals re-produce by budding and leave a long "snail trail" behind them sprouting new polyps.
Personal observations: Nothing to exciting to add. I have always liked the look of these polyps over the (harder to keep) pipe organs. They come in a variety of fluoresced colors and more.
Thanks for reading.
Pics. Please share your pictures and experiences on this thread and you may get a boatload of karma.......
(Notice the budding on the "root system")