Kenya tree coral
Capnella
Also known as Kenya Tree, Nepthea, Tree Coral, Cauliflower Coral
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 9.8 in
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Very common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Nephtheidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific reefs
Overview
A sessile, fast-growing tree coral that self-propagates by shedding branch tips. It is passive and low-sting, but its speed and habit of dropping frags mean it can pop up all over a system, so many keepers treat it as a hardy starter coral that needs regular pruning.
In the wild
Capnella grows as a bushy branching tree with soft, polyp-tipped limbs that sway in the current. It is very undemanding, doing well under low to moderate light around 50 to 150 PAR and preferring moderate to strong flow, which also helps it shed dropped branches. Place it low to mid on the rock with room to spread, and be ready to prune, since it is one of the fastest-growing softies in the hobby.
Good to know
Capnella is a soft octocoral in the family Nephtheidae that relies on zooxanthellae and absorbed nutrients rather than needing target feeding. It reproduces readily by dropping small branch tips that drift off and root wherever they land, and it can also be fragged simply by cutting a branch and banding it to rock. This easy self-propagation is why a single colony can quickly seed a whole tank.
Did you know
Kenya tree coral is so prolific that hobbyists warn you may never fully clear it once introduced, as every dropped branch tip can root into a brand new colony somewhere else in the tank.
Common questions
What size tank does a Kenya tree coral need?
A Kenya tree coral needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Kenya tree coral need?
A Kenya tree coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Kenya tree coral get?
An adult Kenya tree coral reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
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