ScientifiName: Zooanthus sp.
Classification: Soft Coral
Common Names: Sinularia, Green Finger Coral
Description:
Button polyps are colonies of small anemone looking polyps similar to Sea Mats. Fine tentacles radiate out from the edge of the disc. These polyps may be connected at the base due to the way they spread by budding, but the polyps do not share a common base like Sea Mats do. Coloration is variable depending on type and are commonly shades of brown, green, yellow, pink or even red.
Natural Environment:
? This coral is normally collected in the wild, but it is easily propagated.
Care:
Hardiness: Button Polyps are extremely hardy and an excellent beginner coral. They will survive in almost any type of reef tank setup. Due to their ability to spread fairly rapidly, they can become a nuisance if they start to crowd out other corals.
Lighting: Will tolerate very low light levels, especially if they are otherwise fed, but tend to develop brighter colors under higher intensity lighting.
Water Current: Button Polyps prefer low to moderate water motion.
Temperature: Does well within a range of at least 76º to 84º F.
Aggressiveness: Low. Encrusting growth pattern can lead to encroachment on its neighbors, but they have been in contact with SPS, Clams and other softies without any apparent affect.
Feeding: Button Polyps are photosynthetic and survive with no feeding, but occasional feeding of small meaty foods like brine shrimp is beneficial and will result in faster growth.
Supplements: No special requirement are noted. Normal acceptable water parameters seem to suite it just fine.
Tank Positioning: No special requirements other than keeping them out of forceful water flow. These specimens are usually placed near the bottom of the tank since they are not very light demanding. They are great filler corals to place between larger specimens.
Propagation:: Button Polyps are easily propagated by cutting individual polyps from the main colonies. These can be placed on a gravel bed with low water flow and will attach themselves to pieces of gravel. They can then be superglued to a suitable substrate such as a reef plug.
