Carnation Coral

The Carnation Tree Coral ( Dendronephthya Sp.) is one of the most beautiful and peaceful corals, and is also known as the Cauliflower Soft Coral, or Strawberry Soft Coral. However, this temptation of color and beauty is very misleading. All members of Dendronephthya are difficult to keep in captivity, and should be placed in a well established aquarium .

They are exclusively ahermatypic, meaning all species lack zooxanthellae required for photosynthesis. Without the symbiotic algae, these corals require a continual wash of phytoplankton across their polyps in order to survive. Dendronepthya have been found to be almost exclusively phytoplankton eaters, and to actually capture very little zooplankton.

Most ahermatypic corals are found in shaded or mostly shaded areas of the reef. Though most Dendronephthya are indeed found in the wild under ledges, overhangs, and in caves, many specimens can also be found on reef slopes in full sunlight. This is especially true for those examples found in the Red Sea. Thus, light does not seem to be harmful to some species, despite a preponderance found in dimly lit areas.