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Red-flowered Soft Coral
AdvancedStereonephthya rubriflora
A Stereonephthya soft coral with red polyps, as its name says, on white to yellow branches. The polyp-head sclerites are red to red-purple, giving the colony a reddish look. Described from Tanabe Bay, Wakayama, Japan.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
24〜27℃
Lifespan
Little data available
Size
Little data available
Diet
Little data available (plan on feeding)
About
Stereonephthya rubriflora is a nephtheid soft coral described by Utinomi in 1954. Its type locality is Tanabe Bay, Wakayama, and it has also been reported from Kochi, Kagoshima, Amakusa (Kumamoto) and Sagami Bay, living in relatively shallow water. The branches are white to yellow and the polyps are red, as the name says. The sclerites of the branches are transparent, while those of the polyp heads are red to red-purple (Kuroshio Biological Research Foundation), so the whole colony looks reddish. The related S. japonica has yellow sclerites and looks pale yellow (Nipponica). Stereonephthya differ from Dendronephthya of the same family in not bearing large clusters of polyps at the branch tips. Almost nothing has been published on whether it hosts zooxanthellae or how to keep it, so, like S. japonica, it should be fed and kept at temperate temperatures. In Japan, locally collected specimens reach specialist shops, sometimes sold together with S. japonica.
Basic Info
Origin
Relatively shallow waters of Japan (Sagami Bay, Wakayama, Kochi, Kagoshima, Amakusa and elsewhere)
Lifespan
Little data available
Size
Little data available
Temperature
24〜27℃
Diet
Little data available (plan on feeding)
Care Guide
Lighting
No source shows whether it can rely on photosynthesis. Use viewing light and plan to nourish it by feeding.
Care Specifications
- Specific Gravity
- 1.023–1.025
- Salinity
- 33–35 ppt
Soft coral
Sources: Kuroshio Biological Research Foundation (Stereonephthya rubriflora) / Kotobank (Nipponica): Stereonephthya japonica / WoRMS (Stereonephthya rubriflora)
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.
Primary sources
- Species+ (CITES search)
- Ministry of the Environment: List of Designated Invasive Alien Species
- Okinawa Prefecture: Collection of reef-building corals is prohibited
- e-Gov: Natural Parks Act (Art. 22, marine park zones)
- Kuroshio Biological Research Foundation (Stereonephthya rubriflora)
- Kotobank (Nipponica): Stereonephthya japonica
- WoRMS (Stereonephthya rubriflora)
- GBIF
Taxonomy & Authority
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Domestic law: Soft corals of this group are not included in the 'reef-building corals' whose collection Okinawa prohibits (stony corals, blue coral, sea fans and others). Collecting in the sea may still fall under fishing rights or prefectural fisheries rules, and taking designated species in marine park zones requires a permit (Natural Parks Act, Art. 22).
Not listed in the CITES Appendices (checked on Species+). Not designated as an Invasive Alien Species under Japanese law.
Sources: Species+ (CITES search) / Ministry of the Environment: List of Designated Invasive Alien Species / Okinawa Prefecture: Collection of reef-building corals is prohibited / e-Gov: Natural Parks Act (Art. 22, marine park zones)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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