Green Star Polyp

Green star polyps (Briareum spp., family Briareidae), commonly abbreviated GSP, are soft corals found throughout Indo-Pacific and Caribbean tropical reefs. Their characteristic purple-red encrusting mat (stolon) supports dense colonies of star-shaped polyps, each bearing eight slender green pinnules that fluoresce brilliantly under actinic illumination. GSP is extraordinarily adaptable, tolerating a wide range of lighting (50–300 PAR) and flow conditions, making it one of the most beginner-friendly corals available. Standard reef parameters (24–27°C, KH 8–11) are sufficient. Their aggressive growth is a double-edged quality: left untrimmed, stolon mats can blanket live rock entirely, smothering neighboring corals on contact. Regular pruning and careful placement away from other coral species are therefore essential. Propagation by cutting stolon pieces is effortless, and frags are among the most widely traded in the hobby.

Photosynthesis