Home Marine Corals Soft Coral Species Profiles Flower Tree Coral
Flower Tree Coral
(Scleronephthya sp.)
• Care Level: Difficult • Temperament: Peaceful • Waterflow: Moderate
• Placement: All • Lighting: Low • Color Form: Orange, Red, Purple
• Supplements: Iodine, Trace Elements, Strontium • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
• Origin: Indo-Pacific • Family: Nephtheidae • Species: Soft Corals
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Native Habitat and Species Information
Flower Tree Coral native habitat, distribution, behavior & aquarium compatibility.
The Flower Tree Coral is referred to by multiple names including, the Scleronephthya Strawberry Coral, or Pink or Orange Cauliflower Coral. It closely resembles members of the Dendronephthya genus, but is easier to maintain within the reef aquarium environment. While the Flower Tree Coral is easier to maintain than some similar species, it is still the domain of the expert reef aquarist. The stalks, branches, and tips of this coral tend to be various shades of the same color, ranging from red to orange. It is a relatively peaceful coral colony, and is normally sold attached to a small piece of live rock or rubble.
Aquarium Care
How to successfully keep Flower Tree Coral in the home aquarium.
It is moderately difficult to maintain the Flower Tree Coral in the reef aquarium and should be housed in an established reef aquarium by the experienced marine aquarist. The Flower Tree Coral only requires low lighting levels, but does require medium to strong indirect water movement. Flower Tree Corals will not usually fully open in direct water current, so indirect water flow is ideal. The water currents are essential though for proper feeding. For continued good health, the addition of strontium, iodine, and other trace elements to the water.
Feeding & Nutrition
How to feed and provide proper nutrition for Flower Tree Coral.
Flower Tree Corals doe not contain symbiotic algae that it can rely on for food; therefore, its diet must include live, baby brine shrimp, micro-plankton, and other small foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates, in order to survive in the reef aquarium.
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