Nephtheidae

Dendronephthya klunzingeri

The tree soft coral ( Nephtheidae ) are a family of soft corals ( Alcyonacea ). They are animal colonies consisting of many individual polyps. Tree soft coral are found in the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea.

Features

They grow tree-like branched. The Einzelpolyp, like all animals of the subclass ( Alcyonaria ) eight feathery tentacles, and the Gastralraum is eight longitudinal walls ( septa ) divided into eight chambers.

In contrast to the stony corals ( Scleractinia ) from the subclass Hexacorallia soft corals have no solid calcareous skeleton, but have as strengthening elements small spicules ( sclerites ) in the body.

Way of life

Many tree soft coral from the shallow water live in an endosymbiosis with unicellular symbiotic algae ( zooxanthellae ). They are usually brown or greenish color. Living in deeper water of the outer reefs or in caves species are often strongly colored reddish or yellow. They live on phytoplankton. A symbiosis with zooxanthellae does not exist.

Genera

• Anthomarter
• Capnella Gray, 1869
• Chromonephthea Ofwegen, 2005
• Dendronephthya Kuekenthal, 1905
• Eunephthya Verrill, 1869
• Lemnalia Gray, 1868
• Neospongodes Kükenthal, 1903
• Nephthea Audouin, 1826
• Scleronephthya Studer, 1887
• Spongodes Lesson, 1833
• Umbellulifera Thomson & Dean, 1931

Aquarium maintenance

Tree soft coral from the shallow water, such as the Kenya tree ( Capnella sp.) Can be kept in saltwater aquariums and are easier for beginners to keep as stony corals. They proliferate and form large stands in a short time. In contrast, the attitude of colorful shapes as Dendronephthya so far succeeded only for a short time. Lack of food leaves the coral care and die after a short time.