Care guide
Caring for green star polyps
- Type
- Soft coral
- Light
- Moderate
- Flow
- Moderate
- Care level
- Easy
Green star polyps (GSP) are hardy, fast-growing soft corals that form a purple mat covered in waving green polyps. They're a good first coral, but they spread quickly.
Placement
Moderate light and flow. GSP grows over rock and glass and can smother slower corals, so many keepers place it on its own rock, away from the main rockwork, where it's easy to trim or remove.
Care
It's forgiving of a range of water conditions once settled. The polyps may stay closed for a few days after a move. If they stay shut, check for a film of algae on the mat and for changes in water quality.
Food
GSP gets most of what it needs from light and doesn't need target feeding.
Further reading
General information to help you prepare, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different: ask an experienced vet about yours. Reviewed by PerfectPal on October 14, 2026.