Source: Wikimedia Commons
Scleronephthya
AdvancedScleronephthya spp.
A non-photosynthetic soft coral in red, orange or white. Its branches are shorter and more compact than Dendronephthya and the polyps cluster in dense tufts. It has no zooxanthellae and needs a near constant supply of fine food.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
24〜26℃
Diet
Azooxanthellate and filter-feeding, needing a near constant supply of fine foods, phytoplankton above all.
About
Scleronephthya is a genus of octocoral soft corals in the family Nephtheidae, order Malacalcyonacea, found in the western Pacific from South-East Asia to Australia, with about ten species including Scleronephthya gracillimum. Colonies are vivid red, orange or white, with branches shorter and more compact than those of Dendronephthya in the same family and polyps clustered in dense tufts at the tips. The genus is non-photosynthetic, hosting no zooxanthellae, so nutrition depends entirely on suspended matter captured from the water. It attaches on current-swept reef slopes, under overhangs and on cave ceilings, and inflates the colony by taking in water. Like Dendronephthya it is difficult to keep: without an uninterrupted supply of fine food such as phytoplankton the colony gradually shrinks and is lost. As a soft coral with no stony skeleton it is not covered by the CITES coral listings.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Temperature & humidity for the Scleronephthya
The ideal temperature for the Scleronephthya is 24〜26℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Western Pacific from South-East Asia to Australia, attached on current-swept reef slopes and under overhangs.
Temperature
24〜26℃
Diet
Azooxanthellate and filter-feeding, needing a near constant supply of fine foods, phytoplankton above all.
Care Guide
Care Specifications
- Carbonate (KH)
- 8–12 dKH
- Water Temp.
- 24–26℃
- Specific Gravity
- 1.023–1.025
- Salinity
- 33–35 ppt
Soft coralLight: Low (PAR 30-50)Flow: HighPlacement: Middle
Sources: AlgaeBarn: Feeding Your NPS Aquarium / LiveAquaria (Tree Coral, Assorted／チヂミトサカ科の飼育値) / 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: Scleronephthya spp. Studer, 1887
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.
Scleronephthya Listings
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