Kenya tree coral care

Quick reference

What is a Kenya tree coral?

Kenya trees form thick trunks with branches that look like small trees, with polyps clustered toward the branch tips.^[1] They come from the Indo-Pacific, from the African coast to the western Pacific, including the Red Sea.^{[1, 4]} They reproduce asexually: a swelling forms at the base of a branch, which drops off and roots on a new surface.^[1]

Lighting for a Kenya tree coral

Retailer Frag Box says it does well under almost any lighting and adapts to high or low light.^[5] We found no reliable PAR figure.

Flow and placement

Moderate. Quality Marine says moderate to strong; Frag Box says low to medium, avoiding strong direct current.^{[3, 5]} In the wild it grows on deeper reef slopes with clear water and stronger currents.^[4]

Feeding

Wikipedia and Quality Marine describe it as mainly photosynthetic, also catching small particles, while the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo profile says it relies more on food in the water. Frag Box says it has no special feeding needs.^{[1, 3, 4, 5]}

Aggression and spacing

Its weapons are chemical, not stinging. Quality Marine says Capnella release toxins when stressed that can harm nearby corals, and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo profile says it deters neighbours chemically, most noticeably as a large colony.^{[3, 4]} Frag Box finds it peaceful next to soft corals but harmful to stony corals on contact.^[5] Its other habit is spreading: Reef Builders calls the common strain almost invasive.^[2]

Tankmates

Keep it away from stony corals.^{[4, 3, 5]} We found no reliable source naming fish or invertebrates that eat it.

Fragging and propagation

It frags itself by dropping branches.^[1] To do it by hand, cut a branch with scissors or pinch it off.^[5] We found no reliable source on the best way to attach cut pieces.

Troubleshooting

Common mistakes

• •Placing it where it can touch stony corals.^{[4, 5]}
• •Underestimating how fast the common strain spreads.^{[1, 2]}
• •Assuming any branching soft coral sold as a Kenya tree is Capnella.^[2]
• •Stressing it with frequent handling, which may release toxins.^[3]

Equipment & food for this species

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Soft corals don't strictly need feeding. Reef Roids help if you want faster growth.

Kenya tree coral FAQ

Is Kenya tree coral toxic?

To other corals, potentially: it releases chemicals, especially when stressed, that can harm nearby corals.^{[3, 4]} We found no source reporting a hazard to people.

Why is my Kenya tree coral dropping branches?

That's how it reproduces: swellings at the base of a branch pinch off and root elsewhere.^[1]

How fast does Kenya tree coral grow?

Fast. Frag Box rates its growth as extremely fast, and Reef Builders calls the common strain almost invasive.^{[5, 2]}

What is the scientific name of Kenya tree coral?

Usually Capnella sp., now in the family Capnellidae;^{[6, 1]} Reef Builders argues the common brown Kenya tree is really a Litophyton.^[2]

How do you frag a Kenya tree coral?

Cut a branch with scissors or pinch it off by hand; it also drops branches on its own.^{[5, 1]}

Does Kenya tree coral need to be fed?

No special feeding is needed; it relies on its zooxanthellae and catches small particles.^{[5, 1, 3]}