Can beginners keep Lemnalia?

Lemnalia is generally considered suitable for intermediate keepers rather than complete beginners. If you're already comfortable managing water quality and flow, it should be manageable to care for.

Can it be kept alongside other corals?

Lemnalia releases chemical compounds that can suppress the growth of neighboring corals, so it's best not to place it right next to other species. Leave adequate spacing between it and other corals in your layout.

How much water flow does it need?

Lemnalia prefers strong, well-circulated water movement. Choose a spot in the tank with good flow and adjust pump direction as needed to keep water moving around it.

Does it need to be fed?

It gets most of its nutrition from photosynthesis via the zooxanthellae in its tissue, so direct feeding isn't a major requirement. Paying attention to lighting levels for healthy coloration matters more.

Does it mean something's wrong if the polyps stay closed?

Polyps closing up is often just a temporary response to changes in water quality or flow, not necessarily a sign of a problem. That said, if they stay closed for a long stretch, it's worth reviewing water parameters or placement.

Lemnalia

Lemnalia is a brown soft coral that branches out from a slender trunk like a small tree, with polyps dotted sparsely along the tips of its branches. Its swaying form in the current adds a graceful, three-dimensional presence to a reef tank. The base spreads over rock as it settles in, forming a stable foothold once established. It thrives best where water movement is strong, so flow placement matters when choosing its spot. Because it releases chemical compounds that can suppress neighboring corals, it's best kept with some distance from other species. Considered suitable for intermediate keepers, it's a good fit for those already comfortable with basic water quality management.

View Lemnalia encyclopedia →

Find Lemnalia breeders(0)

Limited Time Offer

0% commission on your first sales!Register by September 30, 2026 and your first 2 sales are commission-free!

Breeder Wanted!

List on BreederDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!

Free registrationNo monthly feesCommission on sales only

Br-Choku's 6 Transparency Standards

Our Breeder sellers disclose detailed care specs for all Coral listings. We prioritize Aquacultured/CB specimens, verify WYSIWYG photos, and provide difficulty ratings—avoiding wild-caught.

Aquacultured
WYSIWYG Photo
Difficulty Disclosed
Frag/Colony
Care Info Included
Trade name shown

All types Coral Frags SPS (Acropora etc.)Hydnophora (Horn Coral)Cyphastrea Stylophora Seriatopora (Bird's Nest Coral)Pocillopora (Cauliflower Coral)Pavona Porites Merulina Montipora Cap Montipora Setosa

Browse all 210 breeds

Filter

Price

Region

Has show resultsChampion titles

Attributes

FragWYSIWYG (Actual photo)Aquacultured

0 items

Sort by

Verified breeders wanted for Coral

Breeders are signing up now ahead of launch. Subscribe to be notified when new listings go live.

Find breeders Browse the Coral encyclopedia

Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.

Browse other categories

Dogs Cats Marine Fish Tropical Fish Goldfish Medaka Reptiles & Amphibians Small Pets Birds Insects Exotic Invertebrates

Verified breeders (preview)

森信幸 Breeder

宮城県

朝比奈理一 Breeder

宮城県

Are you raising coral?

Apply as a breeder

Lemnalia key facts

Care level: Intermediate
Temperature: 24〜26℃
Diet: Mainly nutrition from its zooxanthellae; feeding micro-plankton or baby brine shrimp speeds growth.
Lighting: LiveAquaria lists tree corals as needing moderate to high light; in low light the branches stretch out thin.
Flow & Placement: LiveAquaria gives placement as middle and flow as medium to strong, and notes a preference for a coarse gravel substrate. It releases toxins, so keep it away from other corals.
Water Temperature & Quality: Water 24-26C, specific gravity 1.023-1.025 (salinity 33-35 ppt), pH 8.1-8.4, KH 8-12. Iodine, strontium and trace elements are recommended.
Feeding: Most of its nutrition comes from photosynthesis. Micro-plankton, baby brine shrimp or foods for filter-feeding invertebrates can be offered as a supplement.
Notes: It releases toxins that suppress neighbouring corals, so give it space and run activated carbon. It suits a mature tank rather than a newly established one. Having no stony skeleton, it is not covered by the CITES coral listings.

TraitsSoft coralTree-likeAggressiveReleases toxins

About Lemnalia

A brown soft coral with tree-like branching and sparse polyps at the branch tips. It favors strong water flow and releases compounds that can suppress nearby corals, making placement important for this intermediate-level species.

7 things to know before welcoming a Lemnalia

1Needs Strong Water Flow
Lemnalia thrives in areas with strong water movement. Placing it in a low-flow spot can affect how well its branches open and its overall condition, so consider pump placement and flow direction carefully.
2Mostly Feeds via Photosynthesis
Its brown coloration comes from the zooxanthellae living inside its tissue, which provide most of its nutrition through photosynthesis. This means less need for direct feeding, though adequate lighting is still important for healthy coloration.
3Keep Distance from Other Corals
Lemnalia releases chemical substances that can suppress the growth of nearby corals. When aquascaping, leave enough space so it doesn't come into direct contact with other coral colonies.
4Attaching It to Rock
The base spreads across the rock surface as it settles in. Right after introduction, secure it firmly with coral glue or by wedging it into a crevice in the live rock so it isn't dislodged by the current.
5Watch Polyp Behavior
Polyp opening and closing often reflects changes in water quality or flow, making it a useful daily health check. If the polyps stay closed for an extended period, it may be worth reviewing water parameters or placement.
6Best Suited for Intermediate Keepers
This species is generally considered suitable for intermediate keepers. Having some prior experience with water quality management and flow adjustment will make it easier to keep successfully.
7Handle Branches with Care
The tree-like branches are relatively delicate and can snap if handled roughly during tank maintenance. Be careful that tools or your hands don't bump into them when rearranging the aquascape or cleaning algae.

Frequently asked questions about Lemnalia

Q.Can beginners keep Lemnalia?: A.Lemnalia is generally considered suitable for intermediate keepers rather than complete beginners. If you're already comfortable managing water quality and flow, it should be manageable to care for.
Q.Can it be kept alongside other corals?: A.Lemnalia releases chemical compounds that can suppress the growth of neighboring corals, so it's best not to place it right next to other species. Leave adequate spacing between it and other corals in your layout.
Q.How much water flow does it need?: A.Lemnalia prefers strong, well-circulated water movement. Choose a spot in the tank with good flow and adjust pump direction as needed to keep water moving around it.
Q.Does it need to be fed?: A.It gets most of its nutrition from photosynthesis via the zooxanthellae in its tissue, so direct feeding isn't a major requirement. Paying attention to lighting levels for healthy coloration matters more.
Q.Does it mean something's wrong if the polyps stay closed?: A.Polyps closing up is often just a temporary response to changes in water quality or flow, not necessarily a sign of a problem. That said, if they stay closed for a long stretch, it's worth reviewing water parameters or placement.