Cauliflower colt coral
Klyxum simplex
Also known as Neon Colt Coral, Colt Coral, Soft Finger Leather Coral, Seaman's Hands Coral, Klyxum
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
- 26 gal
- 100 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Photosynthetic
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Alcyoniidae
- Origin
- Found on shallow Indo-Pacific reefs and lagoons across the Indian Ocean and western Pacific.
Overview
The cauliflower colt coral is a fast-growing soft coral for the lower part of a reef tank. It is easy to keep and a good choice for a beginner's reef.
Did you know
The colt coral name gets attached to at least three different soft coral genera. Two corals sold under the same name can turn out to be Klyxum, Cladiella or Alcyonium.
Caring for the cauliflower colt coral
Give the cauliflower colt coral medium to bright light and medium to strong flow. Glue its base to rock in a reef of 26 gal (100 L) or larger.
Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It relies on symbiotic zooxanthellae and takes in some dissolved and particulate food from the water, so it needs no target feeding. It does benefit from added iodine, strontium and other trace elements.
Like other leathers, the cauliflower colt coral competes with its neighbors through chemicals. Run activated carbon and give it space from stony corals. It is fine near others of its own kind.
It closes up now and then and sheds a surface film, then reopens looking fresh. When the polyps retract, the colony shrinks down and firms up.
Good to know
Klyxum is a soft coral genus in the family Alcyoniidae, and many colonies once labeled Cladiella or Alcyonium belong here instead. Klyxum simplex is the species usually sold as neon or cauliflower colt coral. It grows as a stalked base that branches into stubby, finger-like arms tipped with fuzzy polyps, giving it a cauliflower or gloved-hand shape. It is usually cream, tan or a soft neon green, and it stays soft and rubbery as it sways in the current.
In the wild
The cauliflower colt coral is found on shallow reefs and lagoons across the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific.
Common questions
What size tank does a cauliflower colt coral need?
A cauliflower colt coral needs at least 26 gal (100 L).
What temperature and pH does a cauliflower colt coral need?
A cauliflower colt coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a cauliflower colt coral eat?
A cauliflower colt coral gets its food from symbiotic zooxanthellae. It also takes in some dissolved and particulate food from the water, so it needs no target feeding.
How big does a cauliflower colt coral get?
An adult cauliflower colt coral reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
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