Cornularia polyps (Cornularia cornucopiae) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Cornularia, Horn-of-plenty polyps
Family
Cornulariidae
Origin
Mediterranean Sea and the nearby eastern Atlantic; shallow rocky shores and caves
Water
saltwater
Care level
intermediate
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Low to moderate
Flow
Moderate

Care

Cornularia cornucopiae is a tiny soft coral whose polyps sit in small, horn-shaped tubes joined by runners over rock. Each polyp has eight tentacles. Colonies are white, cream or pale brown, and individual polyps are only a few millimetres tall. It is a Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic species, so it suits a cool, Mediterranean-style marine tank better than a typical tropical reef. Place it on shaded rock with moderate flow. It is rarely seen in the trade, and little is published on its aquarium care. Neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists this species; the figures are general guidance for the genus, not from a source. Not CITES-listed. Sources: general reef-keeping guidance; neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists this species. Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly a filter feeder. Offer fine plankton foods, rotifers or phytoplankton several times a week.

Breeding

Spreads by runners. A rock with runners can be broken or cut to divide the colony.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and very small; easily stung or smothered by other corals. Give it its own rock.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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