Common names include Brown Daisy, Clove Polyp, Palm Tree Polyps, and Fern Polyps. An encrusting mat-like photosynthetic soft coral. Small, brown and/or shades of green flower-like polyps that reproduce via a creeping stolon. Does well under moderate lighting and prefers moderate water current. There are 4 species that I know of: C. hamra, C. inflata, C. modesto (Atlantic Ocean species) and C. viridis mentioned below. All have the same husbandry requirements and look quite similar.
Common names include Corky Finger and Deadman Fingers. They have an encrusting base with upright columnar growth covered with large wavy polyps. Most come from shallow protected areas having strong light and good water movement. Can grow quite tall in the wild, with some specimens reaching three feet (1 m).
The flower-like eight tentacles of white to pink polyps extend from a cluster of red calcareous tubes interconnected by horizontal plates. This photosynthetic coral does well under metal halides, however in nature is found in some shaded areas. It has been long thought only one species exists, however, Sprung & Delbeek (1997) and more recently Vincent Hargreaves (2003) are of the opinion three or four species exist.
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