Clove polyps?

Nick Gianakos · Nov 15, 2019

I’m considering adding some clove polyps to my reef. TSA has some interesting frags of them. Anything specific I need to look out for with them? Can they overtake similar to gps or xenia?

vetteguy53081 · Nov 15, 2019

Ive have many. Papaya version is the prettiest . Similar requirements as with xenia- moderate light and flow. They’re fairly hardy

ReefGeek90 · Mar 16, 2020

Bump. Anyone know if cloves will take over like xenia or GSP? Thinking about getting some like OP. TIA

Noob_reefer · Mar 16, 2020

ReefGeek90 said:
Bump. Anyone know if cloves will take over like xenia or GSP? Thinking about getting some like OP. TIA

I believe they can spread if not careful. I keep mine on a rock of its own.

vetteguy53081 · Mar 16, 2020

ReefGeek90 said:
Bump. Anyone know if cloves will take over like xenia or GSP? Thinking about getting some like OP. TIA

They don't grow as fast and I have a nice colony and it does Not spread. Maybe a stray here or there.

ReefGeek90 · Mar 16, 2020

Perfect! Thanks again

SoggyNW · Mar 16, 2020

I have a frag if rainbow polyps. Mine are fine for now and actually still a small population. However when they were multiplying they added heads fast.

Another thing about them that I have not seen mentioned is that mine are "walking" away from their original location. By walking I mean that they seem to be reabsorbing polyps on the right side of the colony and regrowing them on the left. The total number of polyps hasn't increased for some time but the colony has moved about 4 inches across the rock work. I assume it's moving in a direction with more favorable conditions.

Greybeard · Mar 16, 2020

Clove polyps can, if they like the conditions, spread quickly. That's not a bad thing, really... just something to be aware of.

I picked up some fireworks polyps at a recent show... I'm _hoping_ they grow and spread rapidly. I put the frag between the rock and the rear wall of my peninsula. AFAIC, it can cover that entire area.

DeniseAndy · Mar 16, 2020

My Papaya cloves are stunning. Just got them, so no growth info yet. The neon green ones are not as happy. Probably where they are in the tank and they kept getting moved and knocked over. I hope they do spread, but not known yet.

User · Apr 25, 2020

SoggyNW said:
I have a frag if rainbow polyps. Mine are fine for now and actually still a small population. However when they were multiplying they added heads fast.

Another thing about them that I have not seen mentioned is that mine are "walking" away from their original location. By walking I mean that they seem to be reabsorbing polyps on the right side of the colony and regrowing them on the left. The total number of polyps hasn't increased for some time but the colony has moved about 4 inches across the rock work. I assume it's moving in a direction with more favorable conditions.

Oh man, thats cool. Kinda like a slow clove amoeba. I wonder if anyone else has noticed that locomotion type