Kenya Tree [46]

Kenya Tree

Type: Soft Coral

Scientific Name: Capnella sp.

PAR: 50?150

Flow: Low to moderate, varied flow

Placement: Low Third to Mid Third

Description

Kenya Tree is a branching soft coral with a tree-like growth form and masses of small polyps covering its flexible branches. As the flow moves through the colony, the whole coral gently sways, making it an easy way to add natural movement and height to a reef.

Unlike stony corals, Kenya Trees don't build a hard calcium carbonate skeleton. Instead, their flexible structure is supported partly by tiny internal structures called sclerites. Established colonies can grow rapidly and may naturally drop small branches, which can attach elsewhere and form completely new colonies.

Why We Like It

Kenya Tree is uncomplicated, grows well and gives you loads of movement without demanding perfect conditions. It's a particularly good first coral, but mature branching colonies also look fantastic in larger mixed reefs where their softer shape contrasts nicely against stony corals.

Care Notes

A very forgiving coral that adapts to a broad range of reef lighting and flow. It gets most of its energy from photosynthesis and doesn't require direct feeding, although it can make use of fine suspended nutrients from the water. Its tendency to drop branches means it can spread readily in a healthy reef.