TankBud

Flower tree coral

Scleronephthya

Also known as Strawberry Coral, Carnation Coral

SaltwaterCoral

Flower tree coral (Scleronephthya)
Nhobgood Nick Hobgood · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Nephtheidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs, especially around Southeast Asia and Australia, in shaded lagoons and on current-swept ledges and overhangs

Overview

The flower tree coral is generally regarded as the sturdier cousin of Dendronephthya and the other carnation corals. It is sometimes suggested as a first step before them, but it is still a coral for experienced keepers.

Did you know

The flower tree coral's polyps flush open and shut through the day, largely in response to flow and feeding rather than light. A colony can look like a shriveled red lump one hour and a spray of tiny white starburst polyps the next.

Caring for the flower tree coral

Give the flower tree coral low light or full shade, with strong, turbulent, indirect flow. Place it in a low or shaded position, such as a cave, an overhang or the underside of an outcrop. Choose a spot that is still easy to reach for feeding.

Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It carries no zooxanthellae and gets essentially all of its energy from capturing plankton with its polyps. Target feed it often, ideally more than once a day, with baby brine shrimp, phytoplankton and other fine foods. Aim the food into strong flow so the polyps can catch it before it settles.

The flower tree coral does not sting neighbors and can sit fairly close to other corals. Only add it to a tank that can keep up with its feeding routine. Breeding it is hard.

Good to know

The flower tree coral, Scleronephthya, is a non-photosynthetic soft coral in the family Nephtheidae, the same family as Dendronephthya. It is often sold under overlapping carnation and tree coral names alongside its relatives. Dense calcite sclerites reinforce its tissue and give the stalk more rigidity than its floppier relative.

In the wild

The flower tree coral grows in shaded lagoons and on current-swept ledges, walls and overhangs across the Indo-Pacific. It is found especially around Southeast Asia and Australia, in spots that see little or no direct sun. It forms a stout, fleshy tree or cactus-like stalk topped with clusters of small polyps.

Common questions

What size tank does a flower tree coral need?

A flower tree coral needs at least 20 gal (75 L).

What temperature and pH does a flower tree coral need?

A flower tree coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a flower tree coral eat?

A flower tree coral gets essentially all of its energy from capturing plankton. Target feed it baby brine shrimp, phytoplankton and other fine foods, ideally more than once a day.

How big does a flower tree coral get?

An adult flower tree coral reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Related species