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Clove Polyp ~ Glove Polyp
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tentacles as they cannot be withdrawn completely into the calyx.
Description:
This coral has very tall large polyps with feathery tentacles.
When retracted the polyps are about 2 inches tall and about 4 inches tall
when they are open. They are usually pale brown or gray in color.
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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