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.
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.