Kenya Tree Coral (Capnella imbricata) Care Guide
Capnella imbricata is a hardy tree-shaped soft coral of the family Nephtheidae, photosynthetic and easy to propagate from dropped branches.
Overview
Capnella imbricata, the Kenya Tree Coral, is a tree-shaped soft coral of the family Nephtheidae, with a branching trunk and feathery polyps. It is a hardy octocoral that draws most of its nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae and propagates readily, including by dropping branchlets that root and form new colonies.
Taxonomy
- Class: Octocorallia
- Family: Nephtheidae
- Genus: Capnella
- Scientific name: Capnella imbricata
Habitat
Kenya tree corals are widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific and the Red Sea, occurring on reef slopes in clear water from deep to shallow areas, including zones with strong tidal currents.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- dKH: 8-11
- Calcium: 380-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Nitrate: below 15 ppm; Phosphate: below 0.1 ppm
- Lighting: 50-150 PAR (moderate; LiveAquaria notes it tolerates a range of lighting)
- Flow: low to medium (LiveAquaria recommends medium to strong intermittent flow)
- Minimum tank age: 3 months
Feeding
Per LiveAquaria the coral hosts symbiotic photosynthetic zooxanthellae that satisfy a portion of its nutritional requirements, and it also benefits from micro-plankton and other foods designed for filter-feeding invertebrates. Maintaining iodine, strontium and other trace elements supports continued health.
Compatibility
Passive and reef-safe with no stinging tentacles, suitable alongside fish and shrimp. It can grow quickly, so allow space between it and slower neighbours.
Propagation
It is easily fragged: per LiveAquaria a limb can be cut with sharp scissors or a blade and attached to rock or rubble. It also self-propagates by dropping branchlets that settle and root nearby.