Nephthyigorgia (Chili Coral) Care Guide

Nephthyigorgia (chili coral) is a bright red non-photosynthetic soft coral that needs regular fine-plankton feeding but is among the easier NPS species.

Overview

Nephthyigorgia, the chili or tomato coral, is a bright red non-photosynthetic (NPS) soft coral with a bumpy, encrusting form. It lacks zooxanthellae and must capture plankton, but it is regarded as one of the easier NPS soft corals to maintain when fed correctly.

Taxonomy

• Family (KB record): Nidaliidae
• Genus: Nephthyigorgia
• Scientific name: Nephthyigorgia sp.
• Authority: Nephthyigorgia Kükenthal, 1910
• Common synonyms: Tomato Coral, Chili Coral

Habitat

The genus is found in the Indo-Pacific. As a non-photosynthetic coral it is not dependent on light and tends to occupy shaded, current-fed positions rather than brightly lit reef tops, where it can intercept suspended food.

Aquarium requirements

• Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
• Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Alkalinity (dKH): 8-11
• Calcium: 400-450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
• Nitrate: below 20 ppm; Phosphate: below 0.15 ppm
• Lighting: low (about 0-50 PAR; no light dependence)
• Flow: medium to high
• Minimum tank maturity: about 6 months

Feeding and compatibility

Chili coral should receive regular, ideally daily, feedings of fine food particles such as rotifers and micronized planktonic foods; phytoplankton, amino acids and reef food powders are also offered. It is passive, lacks potent stinging tentacles, and is reef-safe, shrimp-safe and fish-safe. Reported growth is roughly 0.1-0.3 cm per month. It is rated advanced rather than expert relative to the more difficult NPS genera.