Animal-World > Coral Reef > Soft Corals > Waving Hand Coral

Clavularia sp.

   The origin of the name "Clove" polyp comes from Indonesia but it is not clear why it was named this. Possibly it smells like cloves? It is not certain that the coral pictured is a Clavularia species. It could be an Anthelia glauca which has very similar polyps and is also called "Waving Hand". You can tell the difference between the two by looking at them when the polyps are retracted. Clavularia can completely retract its' polyps until only the closed heads of each calyx can be seen. Anthellia can deflate its' polyps but one can still see the tentacles as they cannot be withdrawn completely into the calyx.

Lighting - Water flow:
   Strong light levels and gentle current is preferred. In the ocean it lives on reef slopes with tidal currents. Also probably in lagoon areas with a lot of sedimentation.

Difficulty of Care:
   This is an easy coral to care for. It prefers metal halide lighting and requires additions of trace elements. It will grow quickly and cover the substrate upon which it lives, covering everything in its' path. Hair algae can smother Clavularia.

Aggressiveness:
   This coral can irritate or kill any adjacent zoanthid anemones so keep them in separate parts of the aquarium.

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Latest Comments
I have to disagree with Ben's opinion, this coral is a great piece to have in your reef. It is amazing to watch, the individual polyps open and close simetaneously. Although, I do agree that it is a fast grower, but you can prune it every so often and either sell the frags (which will grow into a whole new coral) or give them away to people just starting a reef or to fellow aquarists. Xenia is a great coral for a beginner or an experienced aquarist. Jordan 2008-08-06
This is a weed in a well maintained reef, esp with metal halide. Not a good coral choice in my opinion. It can be nearly impossible to remove once it over grows the rock...and it will over grow. Stick with zooanthids, anthelia is ALMOST as bad. Xenia is a better choice, but it would be best to avoid all three. ben 2006-03-23

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