Tree Coral

About

Found on shallow reef slopes and walls across the Western Pacific, Dendronephthya koellikeri is one of the so-called tree corals. Non-photosynthetic soft corals that form branching, almost shrub-like colonies covered in dense clusters of polyps. In the wild it grows at depths of roughly 10 to 23 meters, typically in areas with brisk water movement and reduced direct light, where it relies entirely on particulate matter and plankton swept past by the current rather than on zooxanthellae for nutrition. That feeding strategy is what makes this genus both fascinating and demanding in captivity. High, consistent flow is not optional. It is fundamental to keeping the colony inflated and healthy, and without a steady supply of fine suspended foods the coral will slowly waste away. Because it cannot derive any energy from light, moderate rather than intense lighting suits it just fine, but a reliable broadcast feeding regimen with appropriately sized particles is non-negotiable. This is not a coral for a newly set-up system or a keeper still getting to grips with the basics. Given the right conditions, strong random flow, a mature and nutrient-rich water column, and regular targeted feeding, it can be a genuinely rewarding long-term project for an experienced reef keeper.