Source: Wikimedia Commons
Lemnalia
IntermediateLemnalia spp.
A brown soft coral that branches from a slender stalk into a tree-like colony with polyps sparsely set at the branch tips, and an encrusting base. It grows where current is strong and releases toxic compounds.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperature
24〜26℃
Diet
Mainly nutrition from its zooxanthellae; feeding micro-plankton or baby brine shrimp speeds growth.
About
Lemnalia is a genus of octocoral soft corals in the family Lemnaliidae, order Malacalcyonacea, erected by Gray in 1868. It branches from a slender stalk into a tree-like colony with polyps sparsely set at the branch tips, and its base encrusts rock into a mat. Colonies are typically brown. In the wild it grows where the current runs strong, and it is sold for aquariums together with the related genus Paralemnalia as tree coral, finger leather or cauliflower coral. It is zooxanthellate and draws most of its nutrition from photosynthesis. It is aggressive and produces toxins, so it needs ample space from other corals. It is moderately difficult to keep and suits a mature, chemically stable aquarium rather than a newly established one. As a soft coral with no stony skeleton it is not covered by the CITES coral listings.
Source: WoRMS
Temperature & humidity for the Lemnalia
The ideal temperature for the Lemnalia is 24〜26℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Shallow reefs of the Indo-West Pacific, mostly where the current runs strong.
Temperature
24〜26℃
Diet
Mainly nutrition from its zooxanthellae; feeding micro-plankton or baby brine shrimp speeds growth.
Care Guide
Lighting
LiveAquaria lists tree corals as needing moderate to high light; in low light the branches stretch out thin.
Care Specifications
- Carbonate (KH)
- 8–12 dKH
- Water Temp.
- 24–26℃
- Specific Gravity
- 1.023–1.025
- Salinity
- 33–35 ppt
Soft coralLight: Medium (PAR 50-150)Flow: HighPlacement: Middle
Sources: LiveAquaria (Paralemnalia Tree Coral) / LiveAquaria (Tree Coral, Assorted) / WoRMS (World Register of Marine Species)
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Lemnalia spp. Gray, 1868
Authority databases: WoRMS
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Sources: CITES Appendices (taxon not listed)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Lemnalia Listings
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