Green Paly

The Green Paly (Palythoa sp.)—often sold under names like Palythoa grandis green variant, Green Button Paly, or Toxic Green Paly—is an indestructible, large-polyped soft coral staple. Renowned for its massive head size and intense fluorescence, this morph features a broad, fleshy central disc ranging from vibrant neon lime-green to deep emerald, centered around a distinct white or light-green slit mouth, and bordered by thick, tapered green skirt tentacles.

Safety Warning: Like many members of the Palythoa genus, Green Palys can carry significant concentrations of palytoxin in their tissue and mucus. Always wear eye protection and nitrile gloves when handling or fragging them. Never scrub them under hot running water or boil rocks carrying Palythoa polyps.

Coloration: Radiant neon-green to deep emerald oral disc, often featuring subtle radial striations around a bright white or pale green mouth, finished with solid green skirt tentacles.

Growth Pattern: Large colonial mat (produces large, fleshy individual polyps up to 1–1.5 inches in diameter connected by a thick basal tissue layer). Sold as 2-3 polyps.

Lighting: Low to High (PAR 75–250; highly tolerant across almost any reef lighting spectrum).

Water Flow: Moderate to Strong (Requires enough current to keep its large polyp faces free of debris).

Feeding: Highly carnivorous; readily captures whole mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, small reef pellets, and micro-plankton powders.

Aggressiveness: Semi-Aggressive (Fast growth rate, large physical footprint, and potent sting will crowd out nearby sessile invertebrates).

Care Level: Beginner / Very Easy.