Bonsai Bamboo Coral

About

Bonsai Bamboo Coral (Acanella arbuscula) is a deepwater gorgonian that takes its common name from the delicate, tree-like branching pattern it develops. Something that genuinely does resemble a miniature bonsai when the colony matures. In the wild, it occurs at considerable depth in subtropical Atlantic waters southwest of the Canary Islands, where it lives in the cold, dim conditions of the deep sea, well below recreational diving range. That deep-water origin makes it an unusual candidate for the aquarium trade, and the listed care level of beginner should probably be taken with some caution. Deepwater corals have specialized needs around light and flow, and replicating their natural environment is not always straightforward despite what a beginner rating might suggest. It is considered reef safe, so it poses no threat to tankmates in a mixed system. The source data on this species is fairly thin from a husbandry standpoint, which itself is worth noting: hobbyist experience with deep-sea gorgonians is limited compared to shallow-water corals, and anyone considering keeping Acanella arbuscula would do well to research current deepwater coral keeping practices before committing.