Stick polyps

Care at a glance

Stick polyps do not grow on rock but on the leathery tube of a marine worm; the polyps cover that tube entirely, so the whole thing looks like an overgrown stick. In principle the worm still lives inside and gives the colony a firm, flexible base.

They are easy under moderate light and moderate flow, but without the worm the tube eventually rots away; many keepers therefore transfer the colony onto rock in good time. They belong to the zoanthid relatives, so wear gloves when handling them.

Good to know

• Palytoxin risk — wear gloves

Related species

• Snake polypsIsaurus tuberculatus
• Yellow polypsParazoanthus spp.
• PalythoaPalythoa sp.
• Pipe organ coralTubipora musica
• Clove polypsClavularia sp.
• GalaxeaGalaxea fascicularis