What do Kenya Tree corals like to eat?
Kenya tree corals are happy to accept target feeding, especially if you have stony corals in the tank that HATE excess waste in their water. And since these corals feed on “marine snow” (a combination of plankton and detritus), you can even tuck some of those loose frags into your refugium.
How much Phytoplankton should I Feed my Kenya Tree corals?
Every two weeks (once a week is better!), you should provide a dose of phytoplankton. Kenya tree corals are happy to accept target feeding, especially if you have stony corals in the tank that HATE excess waste in their water.
How to care for Kenya Tree Coral in aquarium?
In home aquariums, a proper lighting system will be sufficient to have success with these corals. In addition, the Kenya Tree Coral will absorb dissolved nutrients and microplankton from the water column. You can feed them similar foods if there is a deficiency in your tank.
What is the Kenya Tree leather coral?
The Kenya Tree leather coral hails from the Indo-Pacific Ocean area and the Red Sea, in deep reef areas, with clear water. They prefer strong water currents, which help them float away and develop large colonies.
Do you have to feed Kenya tree coral?
Many corals can actually survive entirely on this exchange but Kenya Tree Coral aren't one of them. They rely more heavily on feedings and will become stressed if you go too long without supplemental food and keep them in conditions that lack dissolved nutrients.
How do you take care of a Kenyan coral tree?
1:063:11Corals for Beginners - Kenya Tree Coral - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd does very well under a variety of different types of lighting indirect water flow is fine andMoreAnd does very well under a variety of different types of lighting indirect water flow is fine and moderate lighting works great for this coral.
How big can a Kenya tree coral get?
Different species will grow from 6" to 16" (15 - 41 cm). Difficulty of Care Soft Coral Care: The Kenya Tree Coral Capnella sp. can be easy to moderate to care for. They come from a more nutrient rich environment, so they depend on foods like phytoplankton more so than light.
Is a Kenya tree a leather coral?
The Kenya Tree Leather is a rapidly dividing soft coral that is great for beginners because it is very hardy. Expect 2"-5" sized corals with multiple branches. The Kenya Tree Leather is a rapidly dividing soft coral that is great for beginners because it is very hardy.
Is Kenya coral Hardy?
The Kenya Tree Coral, also known as the Cauliflower Soft Coral, is highly regarded as one the best coral for new or novice reef aquarium hobbyists. It is a hardy soft coral tolerant of less-than-ideal conditions.
How much flow does a Kenya tree get?
Lighting & Flow Requirements: The Kenya Tree Coral requires moderate water flow and low to moderate lighting (PAR 80-250). T5's, Metal Halides, or LED's can all grow Kenya Tree Corals when the proper PAR levels are provided. We recommend a 14-20K color spectrum for best coloration.
How do you prune Kenya tree coral?
0:281:38How to frag Kenya Tree soft corals - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou will need a pair of sharp scissors to make a clean cut cruda coral. So when fragging a coral tryMoreYou will need a pair of sharp scissors to make a clean cut cruda coral. So when fragging a coral try to make a single clinker.
Do Kenya tree corals shed?
Give it a minute. Kenya's are usually on one stock with lots of branches. When the shed they drop branches that establish on other rock work or the sand. They can be a pest if you don't keep with them.
Why is my Kenya tree not opening?
Active Member. My Kenya Tree and leathers sometimes shed a waxy film to rid their surfaces of attached algae or detritus. They may remain closed for a few days before shedding this film, but it is usually a normal process. Strong water flow can help slough off the film layer.
How much light do hammer corals need?
about 80-120 PARHammer corals only require a moderate amount of light for photosynthesis and can grow well in the intermediate regions of your tank. That translates to about 80-120 PAR, as measured by a PAR meter, a tool that measures the photosynthetic quality of light.
Where do you put clove polyps?
They will grow and reproduce by budding, and will spread over the rocks. Placement: Mount the Neon Clove Polyps using IC gel glue, or putty, on an exposed rock lower in the aquarium where they will receive direct flow and light.
Is Kenya tree photosynthetic?
Though Kenya Trees get a good amount of food from their photosynthetic symbiotic relationship, they are one of the more eager corals to accept smaller foods. They can be fed a variety of coral food sources as well as phytoplankton and other microorganisms.
Where should I place my Kenya tree coral?
The ideal placement for Kenya tree coral is towards the bottom of the tank, in an area of moderate-high flow and moderate lighting. They don't require particularly high levels of either, so somewhere along the periphery of the light halo from your LEDs is likely an optimal spot.
How do you prune Kenya tree coral?
0:281:38How to frag Kenya Tree soft corals - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou will need a pair of sharp scissors to make a clean cut cruda coral. So when fragging a coral tryMoreYou will need a pair of sharp scissors to make a clean cut cruda coral. So when fragging a coral try to make a single clinker.
Do Kenya tree corals shed?
Give it a minute. Kenya's are usually on one stock with lots of branches. When the shed they drop branches that establish on other rock work or the sand. They can be a pest if you don't keep with them.
Why is my Kenya tree not opening?
Active Member. My Kenya Tree and leathers sometimes shed a waxy film to rid their surfaces of attached algae or detritus. They may remain closed for a few days before shedding this film, but it is usually a normal process. Strong water flow can help slough off the film layer.
Where to place Kenya tree coral?
The ideal placement for Kenya tree coral is towards the bottom of the tank, in an area of moderate-high flow and moderate lighting.
How to prune Kenya tree coral?
The Kenya tree coral will naturally drop branches as it grows. To prune a Kenya tree coral even more, simply cut and remove the overgrown sections...
How to attach a Kenya tree coral to a rock?
The best ways to attach a Kenya tree coral to a rock are with rubber bands or a toothpick to pin the coral down to the rock. Over the next several...
What kind of coral is Kenya Tree?
The Kenya tree coral is a soft leather coral in the Neptheidae family. There are a few different species within the Capnella genus that are all com...
Origin of Kenya Tree Coral
Kenya tree coral refers to Capnella, a genus of soft corals in the family Nephtheidae. These corals are known for their attractive tree-like form and structure, adaptability, fast growth, and super self-propagative qualities.
Habitat of Kenya Tree Coral
Kenya tree corals are widespread throughout the Indo Pacific and the Red Sea.
Description of Kenya Tree Coral
This species is arborescent, i.e. resembling a tree. Kenya tree corals possess several lateral branches that are heavily forked. The branches grow out from a thick trunk, and they sway gently in the aquarium water.
Behavior of Kenya Tree Coral
The Kenya tree corals, Capnella spp., are known for several behaviors, especially hostile tendencies and easy propagation.
Feeding Kenya Tree Coral
Kenya tree coral receives some nutrition with the aid of the symbiotic algae ( zooxanthellae) living in their soft tissue. They also feed by absorbing dissolved nutrients and trapping micro planktons and organic matter from the water column.
Tank Requirements and Water Parameters
Kenya tree coral can be kept in various tanks, from nano and mini tanks to large-sized ones.
Care for Kenya Tree Coral
Kenya tree coral is a hardy, beginner-friendly species of soft corals that can thrive in a range of aquarium conditions. However, it would help if you were cautious while keeping this coral as it can reproduce quickly.
How do Kenya tree corals grow?
Even the smallest colony of this soft coral will grow quickly, forming new colonies by dropping branches. This self-propagation is a form of fragging that Kenya tree corals undergo on their own. New colonies quickly form from new buds. Frags may also detach from their place and float away in the tank in search of a better place to live. This is why they need constant monitoring and pruning if you want to keep them under control.
What is a Kenya tree coral?
The Kenya tree coral ( Capnella spp.) is a hardy soft coral species tolerant of a range of living conditions. This makes it great for beginner aquarists. In terms of color, this rapidly growing soft coral species might appear somewhat drab. They’re generally available in shades of brown, gold, or even pink.
What happens if a coral colony dies?
A dying coral will slowly wither away, or it could “melt away,” breaking apart and dissolving into the water. A dying Kenya tree coral will smell rotten to the other tank inhabitants. So if you suspect a problem, remove the colony or frag to an isolated tank to help prevent damage to the other corals in your system. You’ll also give yourself a chance to inspect things closer.
What is the mucus tunic on a leather coral?
Leather corals produce a “mucus tunic.” The mucus is a defensive measure that protects the coral against unwanted algae, debris, and other microorganisms. And it’s a normal part of the Kenya tree coral’s day. If they’re kept in a position with a higher end of the flow rate, you may not see the behavior as often as someone who goes lower with their current. But that slime isn’t a sign of sickness. It’s actually PREVENTING illness.
Why prune back a Kenya tree coral?
Some aquarists even consider them “weeds” due to their self-propagation. Because of this, you will need to prune back (frag) the coral to keep the size in check. You also want to allow enough space for the Kenya tree coral to grow WITHOUT overgrowing its neighbors.
How does charcoal affect coral?
Activated charcoal removes terpenes from the water. You can also dilute them down with frequent water changes. Of course, the more you change out your water, the less dissolved material your coral will have to feed on. It’s a balancing act. But if you’re target feeding your Kenya tree coral? It should do fine.
How do you know if a Kenya tree is drooping?
Drooping. Over the course of days, weeks, and months, you’ll notice a fair amount of “activity” in your Kenya tree coral. Sometimes they shrivel up, looking unhappy. Sometimes they inflate until they look like they’ve doubled in size. Other times they droop or drop their branches like a willow tree.
Water Parameters
As mentioned earlier, the Kenya Tree Coral isn’t sensitive to water conditions and is tolerant to almost any type of habitat. But ideally the following parameters are to be followed:
Light and Placement
The Kenya Tree Coral should be placed in areas of moderate to high water flow with moderate lighting. They can be laced near other coral species but due to its rapidly growing ability by means of shedding off their buds, which are inherently capable of forming whole corals by itself, its best not to cluster too many of these corals in one space.
Feeding
The Kenya Tree coral have the symbiotic zooxanthellae which provide the major source of nutrition for the coral. They basically act as a means of vehicle that photosynthesizes, convert light energy into sugar and feeds the coral.These corals also absorbs nutrients from the water,captures phytoplankton.
Propagation and Fragging
The Kenya Tree Corals propagate by shedding off buds and branches, which moves along the water current and attaches itself to a substrate and grows.to have a more controlled propagation, they can be fragged periodically with a sharp blade, by simply cutting a limb off.
Possible difficulties encountered with Kenya Tree Corals
Although these corals do not have sweeping tentacles which attack neighbouring corals, their virtue of self-propagation can cause disorganization of the existing corals and can sometimes curb their growth and nutrition, colonize new areas and take up a major space of the tank.
What do you feed Kenya tree coral?
Feeding Kenya tree corals phytoplankton about once a week or every other week will boost growth and provide the extra nutrients it needs. But, if you have other corals that are sensitive to dissolved waste, then don’t add large doses of food.
What are the water parameters for Kenya tree corals?
Remember, they like a little grime with dissolved nutrients and organic waste. It’s advisable to have mature biological filtration along with some fish to add more nitrogenous waste into the water for the Kenya tree coral to feast on.
Why is my Kenya tree coral not opening in my reef tank?
If you find your Kenya tree coral isn’t opening up, it means something is disturbing it. There are a variety of reasons that can cause this. A neighboring coral could be stinging it or an overzealous fish, like a Clownfish, is bothering it. It could be the coral doesn’t like its current spot or the water parameters are off.
Are Kenya tree corals very aggressive?
Yes, Kenya tree corals are more aggressive than most other corals. They often sting other corals living nearby and will dominate the tank due to the speed at which they will self-propagate. This can result in killing and suffocating other corals. And, because of how rapid propagation occurs, it can easily overtake an aquarium. They colonize almost any available space at an alarming rate.
How long does it take for a tree coral to spread?
In one year, a Kenya tree coral can spread throughout the entire ground floor of a tank. They don’t have sweeper tentacles but they do release noxious terpene compounds from their polyps that slow the growth of surrounding corals.
How do zooxanthellae get nutrients?
But they also get nutrients by absorbing them from the water and from catching phytoplankton. They love floating detritus and dissolved organics, everything that naturally occurs in a tank.
Where do corals come from?
Because these particular corals come from the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea, you want to recreate those conditions. Their normal habitat is in deep reef areas with clear water, strong currents, and medium light.
