Litophyton Tree Coral (Litophyton fungicum) Care Guide
Litophyton is a photosynthetic tree soft coral of the family Nephtheidae with bushy growth, easier to keep than its non-photosynthetic relatives.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Litophyton is a tree-shaped soft coral of the family Nephtheidae, recognised by its bushy, branching growth with fingered polyps. Unlike the non-photosynthetic Dendronephthya, Litophyton is zooxanthellate, which makes it considerably easier to keep in the home aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Class: Octocorallia
- Order: Alcyonacea
- Family: Nephtheidae
- Genus: Litophyton
- Scientific name: Litophyton fungicum
- Note: the genus Litophyton (authority Forskål, 1775) is recognised in WoRMS
Habitat
Per a peer-reviewed revision of the genus, Litophyton occurs in the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean, and the genus more broadly is found on Indo-Pacific reefs, typically on shallow slopes, flats and lagoons with moderate water movement.
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: medium
- Minimum tank age: 3 months
Feeding
Litophyton is zooxanthellate and feeds primarily on light through its symbiotic algae. As reported for the genus, it benefits from occasional feedings of phytoplankton or fine powdered foods, but it is not reliant on heavy target feeding the way non-photosynthetic tree corals are.
Compatibility
Passive and reef-safe, with no stinging tentacles, suitable with fish and shrimp. Provide moderate flow to keep the branches clean and well-extended, and allow space from slower-growing corals.
Propagation
Like other Nephtheidae tree corals, it can be propagated by cutting a branch and securing the fragment to rock or rubble, where it attaches and grows into a new colony.
Litophyton fungicum Propagation Guide
Overview
Litophyton fungicum is a tree-form soft coral in the family Nephtheidae (genus described by Forskål in 1775; the genus carries the synonyms Nephthea and Nephthya). It grows as a bushy, tree-like colony. Within the same family as the Kenya tree corals, it is propagated in the aquarium by the asexual methods common to branching soft corals.
Reproductive Mode
Propagation in captivity is asexual, by cutting branches that each regrow into a new colony. As a branching soft coral it readily yields cuttings, and any healthy soft coral can be fragged in this way.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Cut a branch around its base with coral cutters, including a small piece of rock where possible so there is a solid surface to bond to and the soft tissue does not slough off the glue. Dry the base and the plug before gluing, or hold the cutting with a rubber band; an unattached frag can also be set into crushed coral or shell in low flow and glued once it has gripped.
- Cut a branch at the base, ideally with a chip of rock.
- Baste off any slime the coral releases.
- Dry the base, then glue or band the frag to a plug.
- Keep the frag in low flow until it attaches.
Conditions for Propagation
Low flow during the first days lets the adhesive cure and the cut close. After the frag is anchored, light and current can be brought up toward the colony's normal moderate requirements.
Common Challenges
As with other soft corals, slime released during cutting can interfere with glue, so taking a piece of rock or banding the frag improves the hold. A freshly cut colony may stay contracted for a few days while it heals, which is expected.