Carnation / Tree Coral

The Dendronephthya Carnation or Tree Coral is one of the most beautiful and peaceful corals, and is also known as the Cauliflower Soft Coral, or Strawberry Soft Coral. There are over 250 different identified Dendronephthyaspecies. It is found in a variety of flamboyant colors with red or orange being the most common.

Dendronephthya sp.

Quick Stats:   Carnation/Tree Coral

Family: Nephtheidae
Range: South Pacific
Color Form: Orange, Purple, Red
Ideal Supplements: Iodine, Strontium, Trace elements
Reef Compatible: Yes
Tank Conditions: 72-78ºF; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Water Flow: Medium to Strong
Light: Low
Dominance: Peaceful
Placement: All levels
Care Level: Experts only




It is extremely difficult to maintain in the reef aquarium, and should be housed in an established reef aquarium, by the more advanced marine aquarist. It requires low lighting combined with medium to strong water movement. It is necessary to have a constant current with an abundance of algal plankton. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of strontium, iodine, and other trace elements to the water.

It does not contain the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae. Therefore, its diet should include live, baby brine shrimp, micro-plankton, and other small foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates, in order to survive in the reef aquarium. These foods must be available almost constantly. Again, only expert aquarists should attempt to keep this coral.