Spicata Capnella (Capnella spicata) Care Guide
Capnella spicata is a hardy tree-shaped soft coral of the family Nephtheidae with thick branches, photosynthetic and easy to propagate.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Capnella spicata is a tree-shaped soft coral of the family Nephtheidae, closely related to the Kenya Tree Coral, with thicker, spike-tipped branches and cream-to-tan colouration. It is a hardy octocoral that relies on photosynthetic zooxanthellae and propagates readily in the aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Class: Octocorallia
- Family: Nephtheidae
- Genus: Capnella
- Scientific name: Capnella spicata
Habitat
Capnella tree corals occur throughout the Indo-Pacific, on reef slopes in clear water across a range of depths, often where there is steady current. The genus is widespread and adaptable in its native habitat.
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)
- Flow: low to medium
- Minimum tank age: 3 months
Feeding
Like other Capnella, it hosts symbiotic photosynthetic zooxanthellae that supply most of its energy under adequate light. It also benefits from supplemental phytoplankton and micro-plankton foods designed for filter-feeding invertebrates.
Compatibility
Passive and reef-safe with no stinging tentacles, safe with fish and shrimp. Provide space around it, as Capnella corals can spread and crowd slower neighbours.
Propagation
It is easily propagated by cutting a branch and attaching it to rock or rubble, and like its relatives it can self-propagate by dropping branchlets that root nearby.
Capnella spicata Propagation Guide
Overview
Capnella spicata is a tree-shaped soft coral in the family Nephtheidae (genus established by Gray in 1869). Like other Capnella it has thick, branching trunks that resemble a tree, with colony form varying by current strength, and it hosts symbiotic algae that supply most of its nutrition. The genus ranges across the Indo-Pacific on reef slopes and rubble zones.
Reproductive Mode
Asexual reproduction has been observed in Capnella. A swelling forms at the base of a branch, which then drops off by fission at the swelling; colonies also reattach by bending and creeping onto rock and by basal division. Detached fragments become firmly rooted within a day.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
A branch dropped naturally by the colony can be placed directly where it should grow. For deliberate fragging, cut a branch with a sharp blade and hold it on a plug, rock, or shell, for instance with a rubber band, until it roots; given how quickly detached pieces anchor, attachment is usually fast.
- Use a naturally shed branch, or cut one with a sharp blade.
- Place the branch on a plug, rock, or shell in low flow.
- Hold it with a rubber band if it does not stay put.
- Firm rooting typically follows within about a day.
Conditions for Propagation
Keep shed and cut branches in low flow so they stay in place long enough to anchor, with stable mature water aiding recovery. Once rooted, the frag can be moved to the colony's normal light and current.
Common Challenges
Self-fragmentation can scatter rooting branchlets around the tank, so growth may outpace plans. Collecting dropped branches before they settle in unwanted places keeps the colony in check.