{"product_id":"sympodium-soft-coral-saltwater","title":"Sympodium (Sympodium sp.)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSympodium\u003c\/em\u003e sp. is one of the easiest and most rewarding soft corals for a reef tank, prized for its shimmering blue-grey mat and constantly swaying, feather-tipped polyps. It stays low and encrusting, so it drapes over rock like a living carpet and adds gentle motion that most stony corals cannot. Beginner friendly and fully photosynthetic, it is a great first coral or an easy filler for open rock. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/corals\"\u003elive coral frags and colonies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSympodium\u003c\/em\u003e is about as forgiving as reef corals get. It draws most of its energy from light through symbiotic zooxanthellae, so a stable, established tank is really all it asks for. Give it moderate light and moderate, indirect flow to keep the polyps open and waving. It has no aggressive sweeper tentacles, but it is a fast encruster, so place it on its own rock or an island with a little open space around it so it does not creep onto slower neighbors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to moderate reef lighting (roughly 50 to 150 PAR). Too much light can bleach it, too little dims the color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate, indirect flow. The polyps should sway, not get blasted flat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to mid on the rockwork, on an isolated rock or island. It spreads by encrusting, so leave a buffer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Photosynthetic and does not need target feeding. It benefits from occasional phytoplankton and reef aminos, which can boost polyp extension and spread rate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eSympodium\u003c\/em\u003e sp.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSympodium, Blue Clove Polyp, Blue Xenia (trade name)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoral Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSoft coral (encrusting)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eModerate, indirect\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful (encrusting, no sweeper tentacles)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F, salinity 1.024 to 1.026, pH 8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eChoose Your Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer \u003cem\u003eSympodium\u003c\/em\u003e at several sizes so you can start small or add instant coverage. Each is the same easy-care coral, just a larger established mat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrag\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eA small cut on a plug or rubble, perfect for starting a new colony.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMini Colony\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAn established patch with a fuller polyp count.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColony\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eA generous mat that makes an immediate statement.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge \/ X-Large Colony\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eShow-piece pieces with heavy coverage for open rockwork.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-reef-phytoplankton-coral-filter-feeder-food\"\u003eSeachem Reef Phytoplankton\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquaforest-af-phyto-mix-250ml\"\u003eAquaforest AF Phyto Mix\u003c\/a\u003e for occasional filter feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brightwell-reef-code-a-calcium\"\u003eBrightwell Reef Code A\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brightwell-reef-code-b-alkalinity\"\u003eReef Code B\u003c\/a\u003e to keep calcium and alkalinity stable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore easy soft corals and beginner frags in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/corals\"\u003eCorals collection\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Sympodium good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It is one of the most forgiving soft corals, thriving under modest light and flow in any stable, cycled reef tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it sting other corals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It has no sweeper tentacles, but it does encrust and spread, so give it a little room or an isolated rock so it does not grow over slower neighbors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to feed it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot required. It is photosynthetic and feeds off your lights. Occasional phytoplankton or reef aminos can improve polyp extension and growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from Xenia?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is often sold as a \"blue Xenia,\" but \u003cem\u003eSympodium\u003c\/em\u003e does not pulse. It forms a flatter, shimmering blue mat with steadier, waving polyps and is generally less invasive than pulsing Xenia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Eye Catching Coral","offers":[{"title":"Frag","offer_id":48965565972699,"sku":"FSYM-1","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mini Colony","offer_id":48965566005467,"sku":"FSYM-2","price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Colony","offer_id":48965566038235,"sku":"FSYM-3","price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large Colony","offer_id":48965566071003,"sku":"FSYM-4","price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large Colony","offer_id":48965566103771,"sku":"FSYM-5","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/DSC00136.jpg?v=1783726072","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sympodium-soft-coral-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}