TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Alcyonacea
Family: Nephtheidae
Genus: Capnella sp. (Tree-like soft coral)
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: It has a stalk that is usually cream to brown, with some having a tint of green. Their color is usually cream to brown. The Capnella genus has an erect tree-like structure with lateral branches that are heavily forked. On the top of the branches there are clusters of non-retractable polyps. The base or stalk is without polyps and appears smooth.
(Sinularia spp polyps can retract fully)
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Tropical Indo-West Pacific and Red Sea.
Tend to grow in clear water with stronger currents on deeper reef slopes.
DIET IN THE WILD: They capture microscopic food particles from the water column, can absorb dissolved organic matter, and have a symbiotic relationship with a marine algae known as zooxanthellae, where they also receive some of their nutrients.
REPRODUCTION: By budding, fission, and dropping little branches
CONSERVATION: Not on IUCN Red List
References
California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium Color Cluster 2017 AQA17 Charles Delbeek
Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/24467607171/in/album-72157659465376212/
Aquarium Corals E H Borneman TFH Publications 2001 page 135
Ron’s WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1Lu
Ron's Critter of the Day 