Swollen-knob Candelabrum

About

Swollen-knob Candelabrum (Eunicea mammosa) is a branching gorgonian coral found in the shallow reef zones of the Western Atlantic, ranging from Belize up through the waters of the United States and Canada. It typically grows in very shallow water, often just a meter or two down, where wave energy and current are strong. Which tells you something important about how to keep it happy in a tank. The common name comes from the noticeably swollen, bumpy texture of the branches, where the polyp calyces create a distinctly lumpy, knob-studded appearance that sets it apart from smoother gorgonians at a glance. In the wild it takes on the classic candelabra growth form, with multiple upright branches rising from a shared base. Like most gorgonians, it relies on a combination of photosynthetic zooxanthellae and direct feeding from the water column, so moderate lighting paired with genuinely strong flow is the baseline for keeping it healthy. It falls into intermediate territory for reef keepers. Not the most demanding coral in the hobby, but not a beginner pick either. Reefers who already have experience managing flow-dependent corals will find it a rewarding and texturally interesting addition to a Caribbean-themed system.