Is Litophyton suitable for beginner coral keepers?

Yes, it's considered a hardy and relatively easy coral, making it a good choice for those just starting out with coral keeping. That said, it still needs proper attention to lighting and water flow like any other coral.

How much light and water flow does it need?

It does well with moderate lighting and gentle to moderate water flow. Since overly strong current can damage the branches, it's best placed somewhere it won't be hit directly.

Is the rough surface texture a sign of disease?

No, the rough texture comes from sclerites naturally present in the tissue, so it isn't a health concern. It's simply a normal characteristic of Litophyton.

Can it be kept alongside other corals?

Generally yes, but since it grows larger over time, it's important to leave enough space between it and neighboring corals. This helps prevent overcrowding or contact as it expands.

Is Litophyton subject to CITES regulations?

No, Litophyton is not subject to CITES. It falls outside CITES's regulatory scope for trade and keeping.

Litophyton

Litophyton is a soft coral in the octocoral group that grows from a central trunk into a tree-like, branching colony. Clusters of feeding polyps open along the branch tips, giving the coral a soft, feathery look that adds texture and movement to a reef tank. Its tissue contains sclerites, so the surface has a slightly rough texture rather than being smooth. Because it hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae, it thrives with moderate lighting and water flow. It's also known for being fairly hardy, making it a popular pick for aquarists new to keeping corals. Coloration can range from pale white to greenish tones, adding variety to any coral display.

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Litophyton key facts

Care level: Beginner-friendly
Temperature: 24〜26℃
Diet: Mainly nutrition from its zooxanthellae; feeding micro-plankton or baby brine shrimp speeds growth.
Lighting: LiveAquaria lists nephtheid tree corals as needing moderate to high light. It is zooxanthellate so it does need light, but not extreme intensity.
Flow & Placement: LiveAquaria gives placement as middle and flow as medium to strong. In weak flow the branches droop and collect detritus. Leave clearance from neighbouring 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 by its zooxanthellae. Micro-plankton, baby brine shrimp or foods for filter-feeding invertebrates offered a few times a week speed growth.
Notes: It releases chemicals that suppress neighbouring corals, so give it space and run activated carbon. It sheds mucus in transit, so rinse it in seawater before adding it to the tank. Having no stony skeleton, it is not covered by the CITES coral listings.

TraitsSoft coralTree-likeBeginnerFormerly Nephthea

About Litophyton

Litophyton is a tree-shaped soft coral (octocoral) with clustered polyps on its branch tips. It hosts zooxanthellae and thrives with moderate light and flow — a hardy species that's easy for beginners to keep.

7 things to know before welcoming a Litophyton

1Light & Water Flow
Litophyton grows well with moderate lighting and gentle to moderate water flow. Position it away from direct, strong currents, since overly forceful flow can damage the branches.
2Symbiotic Algae
It hosts zooxanthellae inside its tissue and relies on them for much of its nutrition through photosynthesis. Keeping lighting conditions stable helps maintain its color and overall condition.
3Rough Surface Texture
The tissue contains sclerites, giving the surface a slightly rough feel when touched. This texture is a natural characteristic of the species, not a sign of illness.
4Tree-Like Growth
It branches out from a central trunk and expands into a three-dimensional, tree-like shape over time. Leave enough space around it when aquascaping to account for future growth.
5Polyp Expansion Cycles
The polyps open and close depending on lighting, time of day, and tank conditions. A contracted state isn't necessarily a sign of a problem — it's often just a natural response.
6Spacing From Other Corals
As it grows, its overall volume increases, so it can eventually contact or crowd neighboring corals. Placing it with generous spacing from the start reduces the need for later adjustments.
7Stable Water Quality
It's sensitive to sudden shifts in water parameters, so a slow, gradual acclimation is recommended. After introducing it, try to keep temperature and specific gravity steady while it settles in.

Frequently asked questions about Litophyton

Q.Is Litophyton suitable for beginner coral keepers?: A.Yes, it's considered a hardy and relatively easy coral, making it a good choice for those just starting out with coral keeping. That said, it still needs proper attention to lighting and water flow like any other coral.
Q.How much light and water flow does it need?: A.It does well with moderate lighting and gentle to moderate water flow. Since overly strong current can damage the branches, it's best placed somewhere it won't be hit directly.
Q.Is the rough surface texture a sign of disease?: A.No, the rough texture comes from sclerites naturally present in the tissue, so it isn't a health concern. It's simply a normal characteristic of Litophyton.
Q.Can it be kept alongside other corals?: A.Generally yes, but since it grows larger over time, it's important to leave enough space between it and neighboring corals. This helps prevent overcrowding or contact as it expands.
Q.Is Litophyton subject to CITES regulations?: A.No, Litophyton is not subject to CITES. It falls outside CITES's regulatory scope for trade and keeping.