Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Dendronephthya spp.
Spongodes spp.
Common name
Tree Coral
Colt soft corals
Carnation corals
Origin
Origin: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea
Kind
Kind: Soft coral
Form: its polyps are grouped at the end of its arms and their colour is very variable: pink, red, violet, white, yellow... Its trunk is translucent and capable of swelling with water.
Group
Nephtheidae
Volume
200 L / 44 imp gal / 53 US gal
Parameters
T°: 22 à 26°C or 72 to 79°F
pH: 7.5 to 8.5
Density: 1022 to 1028
Difficulty
Hard
Size
15 to 50cm / 6 to 20"
Brewing
Average
Lighting
Low
Aggressiveness
Low
Food
Food
How to feed the Tree Coral?
The feeding of this species is the big black spot of its maintenance in reef aquariums. Indeed, this coral is very difficult to feed and its chances of survival in a closed aquarium are slim (only about 10%).
The Spiny Alcyonaria does not have zooxanthellae (non-photosynthetic) and therefore does not need light to develop.
It feeds on plankton and substances dissolved in the water, which it captures with its tentacles and by swelling itself with water. Therefore, this coral needs to be fed once or twice a day with a nutritious liquid intended for this purpose. You can use live/frozen rotifers, frozen lobster eggs, frozen microplankton, Fauna, marine, ultra, red plankton, reef, pearls and especially reef paste. Also stir the surface of the sand from time to time so that the corals can feed on the bacteria.
Tip: Use a pipette to ensure proper nutrition of all polyps.
Cohabitation
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Tree Coral?
Like many soft corals, this species will find its place anywhere in the tank as long as it is in the shade.
Breeding
Breeding
How to breed the Tree Coral?
In nature, there are male and female colonies. This species can therefore reproduce sexually.
In the aquarium, you can multiply your colony in two ways: by dividing the mother plant or by cutting a branch.
Its aquarium
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Tree Coral?
This coral likes dark places. Favour wide-open caves, nooks and crannies and deep areas.
Allow 50 L / 11 Imp Gal / 14 US Gal per colony so that each one feels comfortable.
Good To know
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Extremely difficult to maintain over the long term in a reef aquarium, opt instead for Cladiella, which are much more suitable for aquarium keeping.
You can set up your colony on an overhang that is not too exposed but well stirred. In this case, it is possible that it will grow downwards: guaranteed effect!
There are more than 250 varieties of Dendronephthya, very difficult to differentiate. From many of them, substances used in the medical field are extracted.
Because of its weakness, its stinging aggressiveness and its difficulty in catching prey, Dendronephthya has become herbivorous;!
Yours photos!
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