Tree Coral

About

Found in the Red Sea, Litophyton chabrolii is a soft coral belonging to the family Nephtheidae. A group sometimes called tree corals or cauliflower corals for the branching, arborescent colonies they form. Like other lithophytons, this species is nontoxic and poses no threat to neighboring corals or invertebrates, making it reef safe in the traditional sense. That said, it has a reputation for being somewhat fussy in captivity, placing it firmly in intermediate territory rather than being a good pick for someone just starting out with soft corals. High flow is genuinely important here. These corals depend on strong, variable water movement both to keep detritus from settling on their tissues and to help them capture the fine particulate matter and dissolved organics they feed on. Moderate lighting suits it well, and many keepers find that consistent target feeding with phytoplankton or similarly fine foods makes a real difference in keeping colonies open and healthy long term. It can be slow to acclimate after introduction and may stay retracted for longer than you'd expect, so patience during the adjustment period is worth building into your expectations before you add one to the tank.